Paper Games
How to play Paper Football
Flick a paper triangle toward the far table edge, trying to leave it partly overhanging without falling off.
What you need
Soft folded paper triangle, clear table and score paper; no staples or weights
Set up the game
- Fold a narrow paper strip repeatedly into a triangle and tuck the end inside. Sit at opposite table ends.
- Agree this house format: one flick per normal turn, six-point touchdowns, one-point conversions, ten normal turns each. Choose who starts.
Playing Paper Football
- Flick from your end first. A triangle resting partly over the far edge while supported by the table scores six.
- If it stays entirely on the table, the opponent flicks from that position. If it falls off any edge, they restart at their own end.
- After a touchdown, try one conversion through a goal formed by the opponent’s raised index fingers and meeting thumbs. Then they restart from their end.
- After ten normal turns apiece, higher score wins. A tie stays tied unless paired extra turns were agreed beforehand.
Supported is different from off
A corner overhangs the far edge while most paper rests on the table: six points. A harder flick sends it completely off: zero and an opponent restart. More strength did not produce the better shot.
Settle close edges without moving the ball
Look along the tabletop edge for visible overhang. Do not lift, blow or slide the triangle to test it. If a fold obscures the view, agree on the stationary result before recording points. A close unsuccessful flick is useful feedback about distance, not a reason to invent a different scoring rule.
Control matters more than power
Think of the flick as a repeatable small movement. Notice where the triangle begins and how much finger travel you use. Increasing force after every short attempt often turns a near miss into a ball on the floor. A few unscored trials can make a match more satisfying for both players.
Beginner decisions
- Practice light flicks before scoring. Paper and table friction change travel considerably.
- Use the same triangle throughout; if replacing a damaged one, let both players try the replacement before resuming scores.
Common rule mix-ups
- Calling a chosen local format a universal official rule.
- Scoring a touchdown after the triangle falls to the floor.
Questions about this game
Do I get four downs?
Not in this declared format. Multi-flick possessions are another variant.
Can we skip conversions?
Yes, agree on touchdowns only before play.
Sources and edition notes
Traditional folded-triangle tabletop game, with an explicit one-flick house format. Not pen-and-paper soccer.
Sources and stated format checked October 14, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
- University of Florida: original paper-football robotics project listing
- Traditional game and variants overview