Topic: Foosball revisited

[Old Meister]

I keep seeing foosers from my era posting about how they are coming back to playing just like I did. I think it is a trend that should be encouraged. Ed Geer has mentioned that he is making design changes to the Tornado men so as to allow more of the old shots and I think this is a wise direction to take. Tornado tables do have some good points over the old TS tables and vice/versa. A table that reflected the best of both would be well received and would  help bring  an influx of older players who would in turn acquaint their offspring to the game, thus expanding the ranks.  The time might yet come where this game takes on the recognition it deserves. By attracting the older foosers you bring in money because they are at a time in their lives where the cost of a table isn't an issue for the most part.  And as we all know money is what makes thing go. Maybe the young bucks today have the game down to a science and the wild wide open games of the past won't fly today but it would sure be fun to see the mix.

[EDGEER]

If we all do just a little to make things better than we found them, there is no limit as to what we can accomplish.

[Old Meister]

Amen Ed!

[bbtuna]

i think the game today is much more varied than the top pro games of the peak TS times which was a much simplier and more controlled (in many ways) style of game

i agree with Ed too...every little bit helps

[Old Meister]

Bbtuna, from what I see on Youtube in the championship matches I don't see much variance. Wiggle a front pin and do a rollover. Nobody sets up on the side and goes from one man to another(pull kick or push kick) They do use pull shots and snakes. You yourself have stated that these are the shots you must use to win. That said, how can you say that today it is more varied?

[EDGEER]

That is an understatement.  I can count on one hand the Pro and Pro-masters that shot a 2 man shot from the 3 rod.  Lets see there is,

Jeep,
Thor D
Frank B
Mark S
Dube

Any others,
Trad P
Zuba

[Old Meister]

Ed, that may be true. I simply referred to what I saw on Youtube Championship matches and those were the cream of the crop. And so what I said is based on those matches. So applying that to the statement that TS matches were simpler and unvaried didn't seem to ring true. I assume you were there, what do yo think?

[bbtuna]

I am sorry, I didn't mean variation in types of shots ... I was thinking more of how the 5 bar is approached by many players...I won't go into detail right now but I think players today have a deeper variation on their offensive 5

also, more quick shots, more transition offense, significantly more inline options on the 2 (only because banks are not available), and of course much more passing from the 2 bar to the 5 in singles

[Old Meister]

I'll give you that the 5 bar allows greater control on these Tornado tables and so passing is more varied in it's approach. Should today's player go back in time to the mid 70's and play on TS tables I bet that they would feel the same, as far as the passing game goes, as I feel  about shot selection on Tornado tables.  Each table and time had it's own strengths and players from each would have problems with the other unless they had time to adjust. While a great shot I can't help but think that the Snake shot has diminished the game in some respects. It seems pretty one dimensional anymore.

[chance37]

the snake shot has made 5 bar defense more important...stop me from getting it there.....Although thats not hard to do....atleast for now......