by KC Watkins
We’ll be looking at Foosball’s long pull shot because I have some slow-motion of one of the best pull shots in Seattle. The first video is at 240 frames per second so you can get a good look at the strike on the ball.
The pull shot, many years ago, was one of the most dominant shots in foosball because of the physics of being human. You can generate more speed and power pulling towards yourself than pushing away. Even though the roll-over is used by most top level Foosball players now, there are world ranked players that still shoot the pull shot. And most good players have one they can pull out when needed.
Jessie is going to be a little pissed that I didn’t use one of the perfect shots.
Even though this isn’t a long shot, I chose this one because it illustrates a point Jessie shared when we were looking at the video. He wasn’t happy that he overran the ball, “I’m just glad I got out past the ball. That’s what I need for a good long-shot. ”
And there it is, the knowledge nugget I want to give away this time.
One of the most important secrets to a superior long pull or push shot is to get around on the ball and strike with the man slightly beyond the far plane of the ball. This overtakes the momentum of the foosball and redirects it. When you hit this right it feels like you scooped the ball into the goal.
But the main point is getting around the foosball. It is even more important than being perfect, as the video clearly testifies. So lets take a look at an almost perfect long-shot now. The defense is OK but there are two major mistakes. One is not covering the long hole enough, and the other, well, Jessie just waits for the right rhythm to take the shot.
There is something I need to say about this video, it looks regular speed, but this second video is at 120 fps, so you can get an idea how fast it really is.
There is plenty of upside to getting around on the ball. It will help prevent spraying the ball beyond the goal into the wall. It makes the defender cover more goal by bringing the far edge of the box into play. And it gives a more consistent shot.
The downside; it takes longer to make the shot, so it takes speed to make this shot consistently. Second, it is a hard technique to master and takes dedicated practice time to gain consistent success.
And there it is, that old nemesis, the key to this or any technique; practice, practice practice. So keep practicing and foos on.