Direct free kick?

[danmanunited]

I have a very small rule book for Subbuteo that was produced in 2012 and it talks about a Direct Free kick. It explains that a "direct free kick" is awarded when a foul is committed in the players own shooting area. It then goes on to explain that "the defending team may make a wall of up to 4 players. These are picked up and placed at least 9cm from the ball." Then continues with saying "both teams may flick up to two players into position. When the defending team signals that they are ready, the attacking team takes the kick"

My question is: are these rules accpetable? I have not found much other literature on the subject. It seems very understandable to have these rules since they are very spot on with how things would go in a real soccer match.


Thank you
-Daniel

[danmanunited]

Does anyone have any info on this? I can see there have been 24 views, I can post a picture of the rule (not sure if that will help or change anything) but it would be nice to hear if I can continue using this rule that my subbuteo set came with.

[danmanunited]

Are there any moderators or admins or refs or pros on here? Someone must be able to weigh in on this.

[verb]

I've seen the use of the direct free kick on some videos on youtube, but it was just a game played in someone's home. I believe the ASA uses the FISTF rules for tournaments and I would imagine that most people play according to those rules just in case they ever decide to play in a tournament.

[verb]

Indeed, in the ASA handbook under tournaments in section 4, it states:

"All ASA tournaments must follow FISTF rules of the game."

So no direct free kicks.

-Brandon

[Daniel Cranston]

Sept 3, 2012 14:12:23 GMT -5 danmanunited said:

I have a very small rule book for Subbuteo that was produced in 2012 and it talks about a Direct Free kick. It explains that a "direct free kick" is awarded when a foul is committed in the players own shooting area. It then goes on to explain that "the defending team may make a wall of up to 4 players. These are picked up and placed at least 9cm from the ball." Then continues with saying "both teams may flick up to two players into position. When the defending team signals that they are ready, the attacking team takes the kick"

My question is: are these rules accpetable? I have not found much other literature on the subject. It seems very understandable to have these rules since they are very spot on with how things would go in a real soccer match.


Thank you
-Daniel

Hey Daniel,

Sorry for the delays in getting a good response back to you!

Rules really come down to what you and your buddy/opponent want to enforce at the "friendly" level. In tournament play, everyone has to use a clear set of rules however to keep the matches fair.

The FISTF rules may be a good resource. Those can be found by just putting in Google: SUBBUTEO FISTF Rule Book

However, I think the FISTF rule book will be very dense / tough to read, which leads me to my answer (finally)!

In tournament play, there are no walls as described in your instruction booklet.

Again, I will stress that when you are playing for fun, do just that and play with whatever rules you want unless you want to practice with the tournament rules (but that is usually best explained when you are able to attend a tournament or play with someone who is used to them). Although I will certainly try to answer any questions you have.

The only time there is a "Direct free kick" is when the player on defense commits a hand ball when the ball is inside his penalty area (IE: the players hand is inside of his box because he is going to take a flick, but the ball is shot or passed and hits their hand). This results in a penalty shot where the goalie has to stay on the end line and the shooter shoots from the dot. If it is a regular foul, such as the defenders player hitting the ball while it is moving inside the box, then it is an INdirect free kick from the penalty spot. This is treated just like a normal free kick except the ball is moved to the penalty spot instead. Under tournament rules, each player will get one positional flick, not two as your rules describe. Then the attacking player is allowed to put the ball back into play, however it wasn't direct so they aren't allowed to shoot immediatly even though the ball is on the penalty spot.

Hope this helps!

[essgee]

Hi Brandon / danmanunited / DC

I believe I can help.

When Subbuteo was first launched, in the UK, they tried to make the rules as close to real football as possible. The rules you refer to are the original rules to the game, and still played in Subbuteo tournaments in the UK ( not FISTF ).

FISTF was set up much later; different equipment, different rules.
FISTF is regarded as Sports Table Football and not Subbuteo, although he concept originates from Subbuteo. They are both considered to be very different in the UK and Italy. The original equipment and replicas can still be bought in UK and Italy.

Collectors and Old Subbuteo players as they are often referred to, try to distance themselves from the ultra competitive nature of FISTF tournaments. The Old Subbuteo game is played for fun in England and Italy. They treat the game as a hobby and not a sport, hence the name Subbuteo 'The Hobby'.

The rules are much shorter, but certainly concise enough for matches to be played in competition between players without a referee being needed.

I think they've always thought it strange that a player should be robbed of a shooting opportunity in the shooting zone ( by a defensive figure striking either an attacking figure or ball while the ball is moving ); resulting in an in-direct free kick with the defending player getting an opportunity to having 2 defensive flicks before the attacker can even think about shooting ( one for the positional, and one after the free kick has been taken ). Seems a little unjust?

In Old Subbuteo ( original Subbuteo ) this was deemed to be a 'Moving Back' whereby all the figures and ball are re-positioned. But next time the attacker plays the ball, the defender is NOT ALLOWED to take a block flick. After the second attacking flick, he can then block / play as normal.

If a free kick is awarded in the shooting zone - it is always a direct free kick.

So, that's where that application comes from. It's not a 'house rule', it's the actual rule from played back in the 70's.

Hope this clarifies.

[essgee]

This is OldSubbuteo ...





The Stade de Fingers in Southend on Sea, England!

[mikeewer]

We play a direct free kick in our house rules in Michigan. For ASA play though we're sticking to FISTF rules.