How to play button football online
Button football is easy to learn and hard to master. In Refoot you play right in your browser, for free, in a few taps. Here is the step by step.
The basics: the flick
Every move uses the same gesture: pull a player back, aim in the direction you want and release to shoot. The further you pull, the more power — dosing it is the secret.
The game is turn-based: you take your flick, then your opponent takes theirs. Use your turn to advance the ball, set up a play or score.
Step by step to get started
- Sign in with Google or Discord (takes seconds).
- Build and line up your team in the formation you like.
- Pull a player, aim and release to shoot the ball.
- Score, win the match and earn XP to level up your squad.
Fouls, penalties and VAR
Touching the opponent’s piece at the wrong time can give away a foul. Inside the box it becomes a penalty — and penalties are fully playable, with real tension.
Close calls can go through VAR, just like in real football.
Line-up: 4 buttons and 3 formations
Each team takes the pitch with 4 buttons: one goalkeeper and three outfield players. Few pieces, plenty of decisions — that is what keeps matches fast without making them shallow.
The formation sets the roles of the three outfield pieces, and you can switch whenever you like:
| Formation | Outfield trio | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Attacking | Midfielder + 2 forwards | You need a goal and accept the risk at the back. |
| Balanced | Defender + midfielder + forward | Safe default for any match. |
| Defensive | 2 defenders + midfielder | Holding a result or facing a stronger team. |
The 4 attributes that decide a play
Every button has its own numbers, and the physics actually reads them — they are not card decoration:
| Attribute | What it does in practice |
|---|---|
| Power | Shot strength: how far and how hard the ball travels. |
| Accuracy | Size of the "perfect" hit zone — more forgiving aim. |
| Weight | Resistance to being pushed in a duel. |
| Reflexes | Reach and speed when defending — decisive for the keeper. |
That is why a powerful but inaccurate striker is neither better nor worse than an accurate, light one: they are different playing styles.
Traits: each button’s special touch
On top of attributes, a player can have traits that change how they behave on the pitch:
- Cannon — stronger shot.
- Curl — the ball leaves with spin.
- Wall — harder to push around.
- Dive — goalkeeper with longer reach.
- Ice cold — bonus when taking penalties.
- Swift — the piece loses less speed while rolling.
How to level up and climb divisions
Every player on your squad has a level and XP: they grow each match, age, can get injured, retire and even become a legend, shown on album-style cards. When a veteran hangs up their boots, a youngster comes up from the academy to replace them — the squad never stands still.
Cards range from common to icon, and rarity sets how far that player can grow. In online Ranked you face real players in worldwide matchmaking and climb five divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Want the trophy? The World Cup has 48 national teams, a group stage and knockouts.
Where to practise before facing real people
- Guided training: learn the gesture step by step, no pressure.
- Free practice: pick your sparring partner’s strength, from weak side to world-class.
- Match vs CPU: four levels, all unlocked from the start.
- Penalties vs CPU: drill just the finishing, where many matches are decided.
Five common beginner mistakes
- Always pulling to maximum. Full power costs control; many plays need a half touch.
- Ignoring the keeper. They are one of your buttons too — repositioning before the opponent shoots saves goals.
- Always shooting straight. Using the side of the pitch to bounce the ball opens angles a straight line never will.
- Forgetting the box. Touching an opponent piece inside it gives away a penalty.
- Changing formation under pressure. Decide beforehand: the line-up is strategy, not a reaction.