Learn the Fundamentals
Basic Rules of Play
Scoring- First player to score 7 points wins the game.
- A point is scored when the puck enters and falls into the goal.
- fter a point is scored, the player scored upon receives possession of the puck for the next serve.
- If any part of the puck is on the centerline, either player may hit it. If the puck is completely within one player's half of the table, not touching the centerline, the opposing player may not hit it. Violation of this rule constitutes a foul (forfeiture of possession of the puck).
- It is a foul if a player's mallet completely crosses over the centerline.
- When a player offensively strikes the puck and causes it to leave the playing surface, that player is guilty of a foul.
- If, however, a puck leaves the table while a defensive player is blocking a shot, by moving his mallet sideways, backwards, or not at all, the offensive player is guilty of a foul and the defensive player is awarded possession of the puck.
- If the defensive player charges forward to block a shot, and the puck leaves the table, the defensive player commits a foul and loses possession of the puck.
- It is a foul for a player to lose total control of his mallet.
- It is a foul for a player to "top" the puck by lifting his mallet and placing it on top of the puck.
- It is a foul when a player's hand, body or clothing touches the puck while the puck is on the table and in play.
- If a player's hand, body or clothing blocks or deflects the puck while the puck is on a direct path toward that player's goal, “goaltending” must be called. Goaltending constitutes a technical foul which allows the opponent a free shot at the penalized player's unprotected goal.
- A player has 7 seconds to execute a shot that crosses the centerline. The 7 seconds begins when the puck enters and remains on that player's side of the centerline. Violation of this rule is a foul.
- If a player commits a foul and is scored on in the course of the same play, the goal counts and the penalty is nullified.
- If a foul occurs and the innocent player immediately gains possession of the puck anyway, the referee should allow play to continue and not interrupt the game.
- Mallets and pucks must meet standards of the U.S. Air Hockey Association (USAA).
- Tournament play shall begin with a face-off. The winner of the face-off is the first player to gain possession, or the player who scores off the face-off. The player who loses the face-off receives possession of the puck to begin the 2nd game of the match, and first possession alternates each subsequent game of the match. Players also switch sides after each game.
- Each game in tournament or challenge match play should be judged by a referee.
- In addition to beginning a match, a face-off should be used when the referee can't determine who committed the foul. The puck is placed flat at the center of the table, with players' mallets allowed no closer than 1 inch from the puck. On Gold Standard tables, the players' mallets must remain completely outside the center circle. When the referee releases the puck, both players may hit it.
- Player committing a FOUL is penalized by loss of possession of the puck.
- A TECHNICAL FOUL allows the penalized player's opponent one free shot at the player's unprotected goal. If the free shot misses, the puck is immediately in play.
Terminology
Air Hockey
A competitive table game in which players strike a floating puck with mallets and attempt to send it in to their opponent's goal. The winner is the first player to score 7 points.
Bank Shot
A specific type of shot in Air Hockey in which the player bounces the puck off at least one rail before it heads towards his opponent's goal.
Block
When a defensive player prevents an incoming puck from entering his goal by positioning his mallet in front of it.
Centerline
The horizontal line the divides the top of an Air Hockey tables in to two equal halves. Players may only strike a puck which is either on their side of the table or touching the centerline.
Challenge Match
A competitive match where one player challenges another for their ranking and/or for rating points.
Charge
A defensive maneuver in which a player lunges forward at an incoming puck and deflects it back at the opponent.
Chase Shot
A type of shot in which a player moves out and re-directs a moving puck which has just rebounded off one of their own back rails.
Cross-Straight
This is a specific type of straight shot in which the pucks crosses over from one side of the table to the opposite side of an opponents goal.
Cut Shot
A type of shot (typically a straight shot) in which the perceived motion of mallet and the direction the puck is hit are opposite. This involves "slicing" the edge of the puck with the mallet.
Drift
A controlled movement of a puck, typically on a player's on side of the table, which serves as a set-up before an executed shot or attack. Very common and popular drifts are the Circle drift and the Right-to-Center drift.
Face-Off
A condition in which the referee places the puck in the middle of the centerline, and upon releasing it, both players attempt to gain possession or score at the same time.
Goal
One of the two gaps on either end of the table which the puck enters for a score. It can also refer to a player scoring - as in "making a goal."
Goal Blocker
A training device that is used to cover part, or all, of one goal. A player can use this to practice shots without the delay of the puck entering the opposing goal.
Goal Tending
A technical foul in which a player stops a puck from entering their goal with something other than their mallet (ex. hand, shirt, etc)
In-Play / Out-of-Play
A game state which is asserted by the referee. During time-outs or penalties, the game is Out-of-play until the referee asserts otherwise.
Interference Defense
An aggressive maneuvering on defense in an attempt to deflect a moving puck or distract the opponent in order to obtain possession or score.
Lexan
The plastic material used to make pucks.
Mallet
The device a player uses to strike a puck. There are two main types - high-tops and low-tops. Mallets are traditionally made of soft plastic, but a variety of materials can be used as long as they conform to guidelines set forth by the USAA.
Off-Goal
This refers to a strategic technique in which the player on offense directs the puck at one of the back rails instead of his opponent's goal. The puck typically returns directly back to the player on offense for another shot.
Over the Line (the Centerline)
A foul in which a player hits a puck which is completely on his opponent's side of the table.
Over the Mallet
Also referred to as an "over." This is a specific type of bank shot in which the puck crosses in front of ("over") the opponents mallet and enters the goal on the opposite corner from the rail used. This is typically done by fooling the opponent in to thinking an under-the-mallet bank is coming, in which the opponent pulls back, only to see the puck cross in front of their mallet and in to the far corner of the goal.
Puck
The object which floats on the table and which players strike with their mallets in an attempt to score points.
Pump Fake
This is a maneuver in which a player winds up as if to strike the puck but stops himself right before impact so as to deceive the opponent.
Rail (Wall)
One of the metal beams which outline the surface of the table and serve to contain the moving puck to the play area.
Release
The specific motion a player makes as the mallet strikes the puck.
Straight Shot
A shot that is executed and travels across the centerline toward the opponent's goal but does not hit a side rail.
Topping
A foul in which a part of the mallet touches the top of the puck.
Triangle Defense
A very common defensive strategy in which a player holds their mallet about 12-16" in front of their goal and in the center. They await their opponent's shots and pull diagonally toward the corners of their goals to block banks while holding out and mostly in the center to block straights.
Under the Mallet
Also referred to as an "under." This is a specific type of bank shot in which the puck bounces off the rail and enters behind ("under") the opponent's mallet. This typically occurs by freezing the opponent on defense.
USAA
United States Air Hockey Association. This is the governing and rules-making organization for the sport of Air Hockey. It was founded in 1978.
Getting Rated
Getting a USAA rating is easy. Simply contact us to request a default, beginner-level rating. To improve this rating, you can either play in a sanctioned major tournament or challenge another USAA rated player to a sanctioned match. If you win matches in the sanctioned tournament or beat a player in a sanctioned challenge match, your rating will be adjusted accordingly.
Getting World Ranked
Everyone can obtain a USAA World Ranking. Currently, the World Championships is open to anyone. Your World ranking is the position where you finished in the last USAA sanctioned World Championship. That position can shift, based on a second way people came obtain rankings - via Challenge Matches. You can challenge a World Ranked player to a match. If you win, you take their rank and everyone below them moves down one spot. Players who are ranked only need to accept 1 challenge per month - being required to play the highest ranked challenger.