How did you get into foosball and how old were you when you started
playing? I started playing foos, when I as about 10 or 11. I played in an arcade in
a suburb in San Diego called El Cajon. They had two of the older Tornado
glass top tables there. I was a video game junky, but everyone else there
played foosball. On Friday and Saturday nights the tables were packed with
all the older teenagers and adults. One weekend my best friend and I decided
to put some quarters up on the table and see what happened. Well, needless
to say we got our asses whooped. But we were hooked. I really don't consider
my first 5 years of foos as really playing pro style foosball. The people
who played in that arcade, only played bar style foos. I mean, they knew
what a pull shot or a push kick was, but they had no idea what a five bar
passing series was or what at goalie defense was. They would just drop it
and poke at it and hope to catch it on their three rows or just sit still
with a race defense and try to race EVERYTHING. I didn't really get exposed
to pro style foosball till I was 16. After I got my drivers license, my best
friend and I drove a couple of towns over to a pool hall near San Diego
State University, where they had four Dynamo tables. They also had
tournaments on Sunday nights. So, my friend and I decided to come back on
Sunday and kick some ass at this tournament (seeing as we had become the
best two bar style players at our local arcade over the past five years).
Well, we had a rude awakening on Sunday. There were a lot of good players
playing in San Diego back then. I met Evan and Edan Stachelek, Dave
Gummenson, Gregg Perrie, Thor Donovan and Adrian Zamora at some of these
tournaments. I got to see what real foos was like. From that point on I
never looked back.
What players have been your biggest mentors?Well, I have two really. First, has to be Todd. He taught me pretty much
everything I needed to know to become the player I am today. With out his
help, I think I would have been a good pro player at best. When I was coming
up, I was just some pudgy snot nose kid that wanted to get to know the great
Loffredo. Well, Todd took time to talk to me and teach me. Next thing I
knew, we were friends and I was staying at his house in Denver for a couple
months and he was teaching me everything. The best part of it all is that
over the years, we have become best friends. The second person is Evan
Stachelek. When I first started playing foos at that Sunday tournament, I
was the guy that NO ONE wanted to draw. But Evan still took time to talk to
me and teach me the basics. But the one thing I learned from Evan was
attitude. No matter what happened, Evan always had a good attitude and
always had a good time. When I started getting better, sometimes I would get
a bad attitude or talk s**t after I lost a match. I learned from Evan that
you don't have to be like that. Just have fun, and forget about the rest of
the bulls**t. That was one of the most important things I learned. Always
have fun and enjoy the game, that's what it's all about.
What players games do you have the most respect for and why?Well, first off, I'd have to say Todd. I mean come on, he's Todd Loffredo.
He's done it all. There is pretty much nothing he can't do. He's been
winning for almost thirty years now. You can NEVER count him out. He has
made so many amazing comebacks over the years. Sometimes I almost expect
him to come back from a two games to zero deficit. Then there is Rico, he is
amazing in his own way. The guy has incredible hand speed. He can grab a
ball that ninety-nine percent of the players out there would never have a
chance at. And the fact that he has won some many titles in such a short
time is amazing in itself. Plus, he is one of the best sportsmen I have ever
played. Tony Spredeman is also someone that I think people need to keep an eye
on. He has tons of talent and desire, and he is still very young. I wouldn't
be surprised if he wins a major here in the next year.
What was the first major tournament you ever played in, and how did
you do?
My first Tour Major was the 1986 World Championships. I did pretty well. I
got third in Amateur doubles and fifth or seventh in Novice singles. The
first major tournament to me was five grander in Northern Cali in Fremont at
Galaxy game room in 1985, and I got my ass kicked in everything.
What were your key breakthrough performances?Well, I think that my most significant tournament was in 1988 at the
Nationals. I played with Ron Sipiora in Open Doubles, we were both amateurs.
We got fifth place. We beat a lot of top seeds alone the way, including Tony
Bacon and Mike Roussuea. We finally lost match ball to Loffredo and Trevino.
I think at that tourney, I realized that I could win a major tournament some
day.
How often do you practice and what practice techniques do you
recommend?I never really practice anymore. I only practice before the major
tournaments. Usually I will practice for two weeks before a major and for
three weeks before the Worlds. I practice repetitive passing and shooting to
get my consistency and confidence up. I would recommend to someone who is
starting out to practice ball control as much as they can. Good ball control
is the basis of any great player, and makes everything else a lot easier to
learn. Also, play as many tournaments as you possibly can. There is no way
to practice what you can learn in tournaments.
You have been one of the few players to defeat Frederico in Singles
on Tornado in recent years. It also seems that he has been improving
every year. What will it take to accomplish this feat again?For me, the key to beating Rico is to be on the top of my game. I know that
if I make mistakes because of mis-execution or lack of confidence, he is
going to beat me. He is playing too well to make mistakes against. Even if
I play my best game, he still is capable of winning. But without my skills
at their best I don't have a very good chance of beating him. A little luck
always helps too.
What is your favorite major tournament and why?I'd have to say the Hall of Fame Classic. For two reasons, one I always seem
to do well at that tournament. I don't now why, but I think I have won at
least one of the Open events there since they started having it in Las
Vegas. And the other is, IT'S VEGAS BABY!!! What's not to like about it!
Since 1998, Todd frequently switched from forward to goalie in the majors,
winning world titles left and right with Frederico. There have been
rumors that you may start doing the same thing. If so, could you tell
us who you might play with as your forward and when?I have been pondering playing goalie lately, although I haven't made any
serious commitments to doing it. If I did, it would have to be with someone
that I believe has a strong mental game up front. My whole philosophy to the
forward position is to out think my opponent. So I would only feel
comfortable playing with someone who thinks in a similar manner. If I had to
pick someone to play goalie for right now, it would probably be Tony
Spredeman. But, I don't think it will be in the very near future. Maybe in a
year or two I will. Who knows?
Is there anything about foosball you would like to see changed?I guess would like to see more people playing the sport, more table
manufacturers promoting tour events, and better media exposure, as well as
better sportsmanship and respect for your fellow players. I would also like
to see a player's organization that is not owned by the table manufacturer.
I think we as players would be better off if we could dictate our wants and
needs, and not have them dictated to us by the manufacturer.
In your opinion, list the players that have the best Forward shooting?