Foosball, also known as table football, is a popular tabletop game that simulates the sport of soccer. The game is played on a special table with miniature player figures attached to rotating rods. The objective is to score goals by maneuvering the figures to kick the ball into the opponent's goal. Here are the in-depth rules for foosball:

1. Setup:

   • Foosball is usually played with two teams, each consisting of one or two players. Each team occupies one side of the table.
   • The table should have a total of eight rods, four for each team. The rods are placed at the sides of the table and protrude through the opposite side.
   • Each rod has a series of player figures attached to it. The arrangement of player figures on each rod is as follows (from left to right):
     • Goalkeeper (or 1-man)
     • Defense (or 2-man)
     • Midfield (or 3-man)
     • Forward (or 5-man)
   • The ball is placed in the center of the table.

2. Game Start:

   • A coin toss or any fair method is used to determine which team starts the game. The team winning the toss begins with the ball.
   • The game starts when the ball is placed in the center of the table and each team's rods are held in the starting position.
   • Players are not allowed to touch or strike the ball until it has touched any player figure on the table.

3. Player Movements:

   • Each player controls their respective rods and figures to move them around the table.
   • Players can only use the rods to rotate the figures and strike the ball. Any other type of contact with the table or figures is not allowed.
   • Figures can move horizontally and laterally on their respective rods but cannot be lifted off the table.

4. Scoring a Goal:

   • A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line of the opponent's side.
   • If a goal is scored, the opposing team must retrieve the ball from the goal and place it back into play from their side of the table.

5. Dead Ball Situations:

   • The ball is considered "dead" in certain situations:
     • When a goal is scored
     • When the ball leaves the table
     • When the ball gets stuck or wedged on the table and cannot be moved
   • When the ball is dead, play is temporarily stopped until the ball is put back into play.

6. Possession Change:

   • When a goal is scored, the team that was scored against takes possession of the ball and starts play from their side.
   • If the ball goes out of bounds without a goal being scored, the last team to touch the ball forfeits possession, and the opposing team starts play from their side.

7. Foosball Fouls:

   • There are various fouls that players should avoid to maintain fair play:
     • Spinning: Rotating a rod more than 360 degrees without touching the ball.
     • Jarring: Excessively slamming or shaking the table to disrupt the game.
     • Passing from Defense to Forward: Directly passing the ball from the defense rod to the forward rod without touching any other rod.
     • Moving the Table: Lifting or tilting the table to gain an advantage.
   • Fouls result in a free kick for the opposing team from the nearest rod position on the table.

8. Winning the Game:

   • Foosball games are usually played to a certain number of goals, typically five or ten.
   • The first team to reach the predetermined number of goals wins the game.

These rules provide a comprehensive overview of foosball gameplay. However, keep in mind that specific variations and house rules may exist, so it's always a good idea to clarify the rules with your opponents before playing.