Reprinted with permission from Inside Foos The newsletter of southern California foosball 1991
Hello Foosers,
It's great to see so many of you coming out to all the different tournaments. Jim asked me to write an article for INSIDE FOOS, I guess it's because I've been real lucky this year. One reason for that luck, is what I call the "Little Things". Taken individually they don't seem like much but together they can mean as much as an extra 2 points per game:
1. When the opposing forward is shooting, we'll refer to them as the "bad guys", you, as the forward for "good guys", need to be totally focused on where you think the ball will fly once your goalie blocks the ball.
In your mind you should visualize the ball being stroked into your goalie's man and being spiked to your five-row. Assign certain men on your five-row the job of catching the ball depending on which of your goalies men blocks the ball.
For example:
If the "bad guy" is shooting a pull shot, I use the #2+3 men of my five-row to look for a spike straight or middle. I use the #4+5 to look for the long spike come back.
If you can't catch the spike,at least try and catch a piece of the ball so as to deflect it off the "bad guys"' five-row. Of course your three-man is also ready to catch a rebound if both five-rows miss the ball.
This focus also applies when the goalie shoots and the rebound happens. By really concentrating on this point, you can end up with the ball on your five-row an extra 2 or 3 times a game, as well as keeping it off your opponents five-row more often
In a 4-4 game, this can make all the difference.
2. Goalies, I know this is going to sound like something you already know, but I see everyone getting a little lazy sometimes when the ball is on the five-row. It is imperative that when the ball is shot, deflected or on a missed pass, that you keep the ball in your area. Too many times I see a missed five-man pass bounce off the back wall right to the opposing forward's three-row. The goalie should be looking for this to happen, so that when it does actually happen you are ready for it. If you can't catch it, make damn sure you at least try to get a piece of it so that the opposing forward can't catch it.
3. Forwards, when your goalie is getting ready to shoot or pass the ball, visualize in your mind where you think he's going. Be ready with your five-row at the point where you think the opposing forward might block your partner's shot. This way you will be able to catch more rebounds, or at least get a piece of the rebound, so it doesn't land back on the "bad guys" three-row.
Of course you're also looking for the rebound off the goalie back to the three-row.
"Little Things" can make all the difference.
I would also like to take this time to thank Chris and Jim for all the hard work they have put into INSIDE FOOS I'd like all the foosers to make an effort to thank them personally. We all enjoy reading it and seeing what's going on.
One last "little thing"...
When you're at a big tournament and see a local player/friend playing a match, go root for them! The home-field advantage is as important in foosball as it is in any other professional sport. So it you're going up north or to any tour tourneys, root for Southern California players.
If anybody has any questions about foosball, please don't hesitate to ask me.
I want to see Southern California become the most dominant force in the world of foos.
Luv,
The Jeepster
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