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RULES of PLAY 1. To Start a Match A flip of a coin shall precede the start of a match. The team that wins the flip has the choice of table side or first serve. The team that loses the flip has the remaining option. 1.1 Once a team has chosen either the table side or the first serve, they may not change their decision. 2. The Serve A serve through the serving hole is used to put the ball into play at the start of the match, after a point is scored, or after a ball leaves the table. The server may attempt to influence the roll of the ball, but may not allow any part of either hand to be in the playing area once the ball hits the playfield. 2.1 The play area shall be defined as the area above the playing surface to the height of the side boards of the cabinet. 2.2 The ball may not be struck by either team following a serve until it has touched the playfield, at which time the ball is considered to be "in play". 2.3 The server must not serve the ball until they have the assurance that the opposing team is ready for play to begin. The server can signify that play is about to begin by tapping the ball on the side of the table. 2.4 If the server has tapped the ball, and the opposing team is holding their handles, the opposing team shall be deemed to be ready for play (unless they specifically stated before the ball hits the playing surface that they are not ready yet) 2.5 On the first violation of any part of this rule, the ball shall be reserved by the original server. Subsequent violations, however, shall result in the ball being put into play by a server from the opposing team. 2.6 Following the first serve of a match, subsequent serves shall be made by the team last scored upon. First serves in subsequent games of a multi-game match shall be made by the team which lost the preceding game. 3. Ball in Play Once a ball is put into play by the server, it shall remain in play until the ball is hit off the table, a dead ball is declared, or a point is scored. 3.1 A ball which leaves the table as a result of a shot, pass or any other means, will be put back in play with a serve by the team which originally served the ball. 4. Dead Ball A ball shall be declared a dead ball when it has completely stopped its motion and is not within reach of any player figure. 4.1 If the ball is declared dead anywhere between the two man rods, it shall be put back into play with a serve by the team that originally served the ball. 4.2 If the ball is declared dead between the goal and the two man rods, it shall be put back in to play by placing the ball at the play figure nearest the spot of the dead ball. 5. Point Scored A ball entering the goal shall count as a point, as long as it was legally scored. A ball which enters the goal but returns to the playing surface and/or leaves the table still counts as a goal. 6. Table Sides At the end of each game, teams must switch sides of the table before play of the next game can begin. 7. Change of Positions In any doubles event, each player may play only the two rods normally designated for their position. Once the game is put into play, the players must play the same position until the game is over. 8. Spinning the Rods Spinning the rods is illegal. Spinning is defined as the rotation of any soccer figure more than 360 degrees before or after striking the ball. In calculating the 360 degrees, you do not add the degrees spun prior to striking the ball to the degrees spun after striking the ball. 9. Jarring Any jarring, sliding, or lifting of the table is illegal. Whether or not the table jarring is done intentionally is of no consequence. 9.1 The penalty for jarring, the opposing team has the option of continuing the current position, play from the point of the infraction, or reserving the ball. 9.2 Touching or coming into contact with your opponents rods in any way shall be penalized exactly like jarring, sliding or lifting of the table. 10. Reset If a player has a ball set up to shoot or pass and the ball is unintentionally moved due to jarring by the opponent, the player with the ball has the option of setting the ball up again, or ignoring it and playing the ball where it is. 12. Airborne Ball A ball which becomes airborne over the table is still in play until it hits something not a part of the playing area. Do not catch a flying ball over the table
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