Two players take turns extending a line representing the position of a ball until it reaches one of the grid's two-goal spaces.

Players alternately move the ball to a new point by drawing a line from its current position to a new one.

[7] In some variants, gameplay can be continued from the central pitch's point after a goal is scored or after a play is blocked.

[3] The game is finished when a move from the central point is not possible, and the player who scored the most goals wins.

[8] Another variant is Texas Soccer which allows no "X" marks to be made as the ball can no longer cross through a diagonal line.

[11] Computer version of Paper Soccer include graphs and pathfinding (just as other games like Quoridor).

If a player becomes trapped and unable to draw this line, then their turn is forfeited and the opponent gets a "penalty kick".

[13][16][17][18] Published in 2005, xrSoccer is a computer game by eXtreme Results International Inc.[19] It may be adapted to paper-and-pencil form for two players.

It has common features with the previously described versions of paper soccer but gameplay generally differs.

If a player has no place to extend the line, the computer repositions the ball on the nearest unblocked point.

This can be favourable when executed properly, as the ball is usually moved depending on the last direction of the line before it became blocked, and can be used to maneuver closer to the opponent's goal.