Air Hockey Tips for Beginners

Air hockey is a game known by many but mastered by very few. You’ve probably only played with friends spontaneously and without much thought to technique. The surface of the air hockey table is unlike any other game table, which makes the puck handling unique and challenging. I’ll take you through novice tips so you can get a leg up on playing your friends or perhaps build the confidence to compete in a local tournament.

The air hockey table is divided into two sides, one side for each player. Each player has a mallet (also called a pusher), which they use to defend their goal from or make offensive shots with the puck. The players should flip a coin to determine who serves first. A play begins with the puck being served, and ends when either player scores a goal or violates a rule. If a player scores a goal or commits a rule violation, then the other player gets to serve for the next play. The game ends when a player scores 7 points, thus winning the game.

As soon as the puck enters a player’s side of the air hockey table, he or she must hit the puck within 7 seconds. The rules do not permit players to reach across the table to the opponent’s side with their mallet. Also, contacting the puck with your hand or stopping it with the bottom of the mallet (called “topping”) is a rule violation. As mentioned, you forfeit the puck when you violate these rules.

Your stance and form will set you apart from the very casual air hockey players. Your weight should be placed on your dominate leg to start. This leg should be closest to the air hockey table, slightly forward of your other leg. You will need to transfer your weight between the two to maneuver your torso appropriately. With practice, you should become comfortable and very stable doing this movement without much effort. This allows you to quickly and accurately use your whole body to reach the puck instead of relying solely on your arms.

Most people see the mallet and assume that the middle is a handle for gripping, but resist the urge to grab it with your palm facing vertically. You need a light but firm grip; you’re not trying to crush the puck. Instead, place your middle finger behind the “handle” and fix your ring and pointer finger around the sides. Your pinky and thumb should not engage the mallet or anything else for that matter. Your palm should be facing towards the air hockey table, which orients your arm in a much more comfortable position to make sweeping motions.

Don’t get too crazy while playing defense. Your mallet should stay approximately within a foot of the goal, which is the only place you should care about while on defense. Your opponent is going to try to make you “zig” when he or she “zags” to get you away from your precious goal. This is defensive strategy is the most basic technique to learn, and you’ll learn to transition into playing offense once you develop your puck handling.

For the offense, let’s begin with the straight shot. This shot is simply a aimed at hitting the inside corner of the goal, where your opponent will either under or overreach to block the puck. Bank shots are aimed at the railing of the air hockey table, and which should deflect into the opponent’s goal. What you lose in accuracy, you gain in difficulty to block. Use this shot to get around defenders who are getting too comfortable in one spot or who stick too close to the goal. Use caution with the bank shot because it carries the most risk of the puck going off the table. Remember to make your motions swift so your opponent has less reaction time, but controlled enough to maintain accuracy.

This should give you a starting point to improve your game and surprise your friends. You can practice at your local arcade, pool-hall or pizza place. Better yet, get your own air hockey table and play at home with your friends and family. They make an impressive addition to your game table collection, especially if it lights up. Remember to keep practicing and if you get good, find a local tournament to test your skill.