Teams
Each team consists of 3 or more players.  These can be any players (of any playing level) who wish to be teammates. Each team chooses a “home field” from among the participating sports bars, at which they will play all of their home games. A typical season will have anywhere from 12-24 teams based at 6-12 locations around Phoenix and surrounding areas.

Handicaps
Players are handicapped in order to help even the field and improve competition. The rating difference between players is used to determine how many points a player or team will be spotted at the start of a match. New players' initial ratings are set by a league coordinator by referencing various resources (such as official VIFA ratings, his/her performance in local tournaments, and/or a previous league rating). Ratings will then adjust automatically every week depending on players' performance in league matches.

Schedule
League matches are normally played once a week (usually Tuesday or Wednesday) at 7:00pm, and last 2-3 hours. A typical season lasts 3-4 months, depending upon the number of teams enrolled and number of matches per season (plus a couple more weeks for teams that make the playoffs). Each team will play half of its matches at its home location, and the other half at opponents' home fields. Since teams are grouped into regional conferences (e.g., East & West), you will find that most "away" games are not far from your home base.

Match Play
League matches consist of several rounds of various game variants. Following are just a few sample game variants:

• Doubles
  Each player plays a standard doubles game with each of his/her teammates.
• 1 on 1 (Singles, Goalie War, Forward Shootout, 5 Bar War
  Since each team member will only play 1 or 2 of these in a match, there are good strategic opportunities here to assign player match-ups at the start of each match!
• Roto
  Teammates rotate positions after each point scored.
• Rollerball
  Ball must keep moving at all times (there can be 2 balls in play at once, so hold onto your hat for this one!).

You can check out previous league seasons in the "leagues" section of arizonafoosball.com to see sample match layouts, lineups, point spots and more.

Host Locations
There are normally 10 or more venues (each with 1-4 tables) around the valley participating in a given season, and each location may host up to 2 teams per table, so you can easily play from your favorite location.

Roles
Each league instance typically has a league commissioner and multiple league coordinators to help regulate each season. Each team consists of 3 or more teammates and a designated a team captain. Some roles described below...

• League Coordinator
  Responsible for organizing teams & schedules, updating weekly results, standings and statistics, as well as being the final word on rules disputes and other league-related issues.
• Team Captains
  The captain of each team is responsible for assigning his/her teammates to the lineup at the start of each match and submitting results. Captains also receive a key to league tables, which will allow him/her to open tables in order to handle minor issues such as a broken player figure or a jammed ball return. A small repair kit with foosball parts (player figures, pins, hammer, etc.) is kept inside a table at each location.

Cost
Only $50 per season ($35 for ladies)! There is a 10% discount for the men's rate if paid before the start of the season. Over the course of a full season, this typically amounts to less than $3 per match!

Payouts & Awards
The league collects money via entry fees and sponsors. Most of this money is ppoled in the prize fund and returned to the players at season end through various prize categories. Awards are given for both team and individual player achievements (such as final standings, league champion, "Forward Shootout Champion", "Goalie War Champion", etc.). Winners of all prize categories also receive a cool pendant to show off their title! There are enough individual prize categories that no matter what your playing level, strength or weaknesses, and no matter how high or low your team ranks in the standings, you will often find that you are in the running for one or more titles. And, remember, all matches are handicapped – so if you are a less experienced player with a good goalie shot, for example, you may well be able to take home the coveted Goalie War medal! Last season’s prize pool totaled over $2200!

There are several ways to get involved in the Arizona Foosball League:

• Visit the "Leagues" section of our website at arizonafoosball.com. You can get answers to many questions there, as well as browse through past seasons’ statistics, standings, etc. To join, simply add yourself to the current sign-up sheet, or click on the "Join" link on the top menu bar.
• Email us at leagues@arizonafoosball.com.
• Call us at (602) 751-8818

Here are some things to provide when you contact us:

1. Would you like to be on a team, or play only as a substitute or reserve?
2. Which location(s) would you like to represent?
3. Give a rough estimate of your playing level (beginner, amateur, expert, pro, etc.).
4. List any players that you would like to team with if applicable.
5. Do you know anyone else interested in the league?

Got it, but still a little nervous about jumping into the ring?!
If you are totally new to foosball leagues and still not so sure how it all works, don't worry!  There are lots of friendly players who’ve been right where you are, along with league coordinators who will all gladly help you get the ball rolling. Rest assured, if you love the game of foosball, you are only a couple clicks away from lining up with your new teammates and having a blast in the best league in the world! :)

See you on the field soon!

Bill Nolan
Arizona Foosball League Commissioner