Pull Shot
A high percentage shot and easy to control

The pull shot is probably the most highest percentage scoring shot in the game of foosbal, and the good thing is that it is the easiest shot to control and shoot next to the push shot. I believe this is why it has long been a very popular shot. I call it a pull shot because when the defense is sitting in front of the ball, the shooter can then pull or move the ball around the defense and then deliver the ball into the open hole.

The pull shot is a very easy shot to do. You simply set the ball up right next to the right side of the middle man (or the intended shooting man). Once the ball is setup, pull or move the ball towards you, and then with a twist of the wrist you slap the ball in. Most players prefer to have the ball slightly to the back instead of directly underneath the rod. Like the push-kick there are several ways to use the pull shot. You can go long "deadman", short, split, or go straight in. If a player is planning to use the pull shot as a primary weapon, then it is wise to be able to shoot it in various ways.

 

Pull shot "deadman" long

The Pull Shot "deadman" Long
The pull shot long is where you want to shoot way around the defenders and hit the far corner. Generally, when doing a long pull, you may want to have the ball slightly back. Remember, the greater the distance, the farther back you want the ball to be. However, this is not etched in stone. It is whatever you are most comfortable with that counts. I believe the position of the ball in the illustration above is ideal for a long pull, but as you master the pull shot, you may or may not agree. I believe that when the ball is slightly back that it works well for doing a "deadman"-square pull. I myself seldom do a "deadman"-square pull, but I have seen those who can do it consistently and with deadly accuracy. Even though the pull shot is a fairly simple shot to do, to do a "dead-man" long requires a lot practice. When practicing this shot, set the goalie men up in a blocking position to block a "deadman" pull. Leave just enough room for the ball to pass squarely through, and then try making it consistently. It won't be easy.

 

Pull shot split

The Pull Shot Split
Simply stated, a split pull is where the shooter splits the defense or goes between the defending men. Sometimes a goalie will start to spread out his men in hopes to shut down the long pull. This is a good time to implement a split pull.

It only takes a quick snap and the ball is in; mainly because there's usually not much distance that the ball has to travel. You usually want to do it quickly before the goalie sees what you are up to. When setting up for this shot, you would set it as if you were going to do a normal pull shot. You don't really need to have the ball position that far back, but I seen people who do prefer to have it that way.

 

pull shot straight-in

The Pull Shot Straight-in
A pull shot short or straight-in is when you want to place the ball in the far corner of the pocket, or rather, just hitting the ball straight in with little to no ball movement at all. In respect, this shot is the exact opposite of the pull shot long. In many cases, the goalie will knowingly or unknowingly leave the short open in hopes to shut down the pull shots going long or down the middle. When this happens, the opportunity to strike short is there. With a straight-in shot, the ball is seldom moved from the setup position. The player will simply hit the ball with the middle man. Sometimes it appear that he or she is doing a pull shot, but in reality they will hit the ball straight in with third man or the far 3-bar man. I called this the "Slip Shot".

 

slip shot

The Slip Shot
When doing a slip shot, the ball should be set up in a pull shot position. Ideally, you want the ball to be directly under the rod. Like I said previously, as you progress and develop you own pull, one that is more suitable to you, you may or may not agree with my ball positioning. When you are ready to do the shot, you should make like you are doing a regular pull shot. You move everything except the ball as if you are doing a pull shot. Then with the third man or the man on the far side, you hit the unmoved ball straight in.

The idea behind the slip shot is to get the goalie to think that you are doing a regular pull shot, thus the defense will move from the straight in defense and follow your man in motion. The idea is to do this shot in one quick single motion as if it is a regular pull shot. Usually, when this shot is done correctly, the defender doesn't even know what hit him.

Ideally, you want to set the ball up so that you can go long, split or straight in. After you have the pull shot set and ready, check the defense over and look to see what is there. If the long is there, go long. If the split is there, split and if the short is there, go short. I think you get the idea now. Just hit whatever is there. If you can do that, then the defense should begin to crumble.

Usually when you start hitting long, then the other holes like middle or straight in begin to open up because the defender is attempting to put forth a better effort at covering long. This same principal goes with the straight in or middle pull shot. Always, look and take what the defense gives you. This will most certainly frustrate any defense.

Compared to some of the other shots, the pull shot is an easy shot to master. Even more important, it is a very high percentage shot, and it is one of the most commonly used shots in foosball tournaments today. One would do well to master this shot and to use it as an ace-in-the-hole shot.