Subbuteo is the brand name of a form of table soccer that was developed in 1947 by an Englishman by the name of Peter Adolph. His game was a refinement and development of a previous table soccer game that had been first introduced in 1920. That game was called 'NewFooty'. The common principle of both games was that small figurines with semi-spherical bases that were slightly flattened on the bottom were flicked at a ball to propel it forward and eventually into the opponent's goal. The defender had a goalkeeper, which was a figure which had a rod attached to the back of the base, extending through the back of the goal, which allowed manipulation to save shots.

The NewFooty figures were made of lacquered cardboard which were inserted into lead bases. This lead made them very hard to flick and they had to be spread around the pitch because they could not be flicked very far. As well, the figurines were all different, and they had to be used only in their correct position, ie. the left winger could only be positioned on the left wing and not used as a centre half. In 1947 Peter Adolph created his new Subbuteo game, using some of the new materials that started to be available after the war - plastic! - His figures were hard cardboarrd inserted into a plastic base which was similar to the Keeling model, but more rounded.These figures -- known as 'flats' -- were the basis of the game right through until the 60s. Their aerodynamic shape allowed them to be'curled' around opposing figures to touch the ball. A variety of 00-scale and two dimensional figures are now available.

The basic principle of Subbuteo was dramatically different from all other table soccer games at that time, and even to this day. If the player (player being the 'human') kept hitting the ball with his figures, and the ball did not roll out, or touch an opposing figure, then he retained possession. Each figure could only be flicked three times in succession. The another figure had to be used. However, you could flick one figure, flick another, then flick the original. All being done, of course, as long as the figure touched the ball. The attacker also dictated the pace of the game. The defender did not have to sit by and idly watch. For every attacking flick that hit the ball, the defender could have a defensive flick. With this flick you could not hit any other figure, nor the ball, but could plug gaps in your defence, or try and force the attacker's path away from the goal.The method of flicking was achieved without using the thumb or any other finger as a 'spring'. Instead, spring or 'purchase' was effected off the pitch. Deftness of touch allowed passing and more firm flicks allowed shooting.Each team was composed of 10 field figures and a goalkeeper. The pitch was originally made from a woollen ex-army blanket, which were available in abundance after the war. Another distinction of Subbuteo was that a player could only shoot at goal once the ball was in the end 'shooting zone'. The pitch was divided into quarters, and the end section was the shooting zone.