Tornado Foosball Tables

Tornado Foosball Table

Table football, also called foosball or table soccer, is a table-top game that is based on the theme of association football. The coin-operated foosball table became commonplace in arcades and helped to usher in a home table market that allowed foosball players to play on a table that did not require coins. Since 1971, Tornado has become a name associated with professional league play and the Tornado foosball table and brand has been used in World Championships since 1986.

A Tornado brand foosball table consists of a cabinet with a top-opening hinge system. The surfaces come in a variety of coloured finishes and a laminate-covered table surface. Each foosball table has eight metal rods that hold a variable number of traditional Tornado style foosball "men" made from solid plastic. Each rod is slotted through the table sides in split bearing designs that provide smooth rod movement during play. Handles made from plastic or wood allow for better foosball control and movement during play. Some foosball table designs offer ramps underneath the table surface to prevent balls from becoming inaccessible during play with one-goalie table rod.

Each Tornado foosball table uses eight rods mounted through split bearing feeds that hold alternating numbers of Tornado style men. Each player, or players in team play, slide the four rods operated by each side through the split bearing holders to control the ball while it is in play on the table. The pattern of men employed on each row on the table can vary but will be the same number for both sides. Common table patterns on a foosball table side include:

• Row One: Goalkeeper - one Tornado man (three-men set-ups are common as well)
• Row Two: Defense - two Tornado men (three-men set-ups are sometimes used)
• Row Four: Midfield - five Tornado men (four or six-men set-ups rarely used)
• Row Six: Attack - three Tornado men (two-men set-ups have been used)
• Note: These row positions appear the same for the opponent (or opponents) as they face the foosball table from the opposite side

The balls used on a foosball table are solid and are usually made of various plastics or wood. The traditional French table employed cork balls. Some balls were even made of marble or metal. Different materials alter the speed of action on a foosball table although foosball table balls are manufactured in a standard size. Balls made from plastics are most often sold with a Tornado foosball table.