The cafeteria classic

Paper Football

The lunch-table game, taken far too seriously: real slide-and-tip physics for a folded paper triangle, four downs, and finger goalposts. Hang it off the edge for six.

Play the computer, or pass the mouse back and forth with a friend.

Touchdown6

Extra point1From midfield

Field goal3

A paper football triangle resting at the edge of a cream Formica table marked with yard lines.

Sound starts on your first flick. Lunch monitor not included.

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How the table works

Rules

Field play

Each possession has four downs. Flick from where the ball lies.
A touchdown is 6 when the ball comes to rest hanging over the far edge, with its center of mass still on the table.
Off any edge is a turnover. The opponent starts on their own edge.

Kicking

After a touchdown, one extra-point kick from midfield is worth 1.
On fourth down, try a field goal for 3 from the current spot instead.
Over the thumbs and between the uprights is good. Hitting the table first is not.

Winning

First to 21, or most points when the five-minute clock runs out.
A timed tie goes to alternating field goals until someone leads.

Mouse, trackpad or touch

Controls

Flick: Drag through the ball toward the far end, then release. Longer pull, more speed. Hit it off-center for spin.
Field goal: On fourth down, press Kick field goal (3) instead of going for the hang.
Kick: Drag to set aim (left and right), loft (up) and power, then release.
Opponent: Play the computer, or two players at one table. A coin toss decides who goes first.