APA Jumpshot Regulations

V

vicdotcom

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey everyone,

I wanted to see if there was a rule stating at what skill level a player has to be in order to be allowed to attempt a jump-shot in the APA.

I read through the rulebook and I did not find any information on this. The general consensus at league night is that you have to be a minimum SL5 before being allowed to jump or masse a ball. Are these rules made by pool hall establishments? I know that some places do not allow jumps or masse. But is it a foul if a SL3 or SL4 attempt a jump in APA?

Thanks for any information everyone.
Vicdotcom
 
You need to check with your league operator to find out what the specific rules are in your area. In our league, jump shots are allowed only if the room does not ban them. The room owner has the final say.
If jump shots are allowed, I believe the APA says you must use a full cue...no jump cues, and no breaking down a jump/break cue. I've never heard that you need to be a certain sl in order to be allowed to shoot a jump shot.
Steve
 
vicdotcom said:
Hey everyone,

I wanted to see if there was a rule stating at what skill level a player has to be in order to be allowed to attempt a jump-shot in the APA.

I read through the rulebook and I did not find any information on this. The general consensus at league night is that you have to be a minimum SL5 before being allowed to jump or masse a ball. Are these rules made by pool hall establishments? I know that some places do not allow jumps or masse. But is it a foul if a SL3 or SL4 attempt a jump in APA?

Thanks for any information everyone.
Vicdotcom
Click to expand...

Why would skill level have any bearing on what you are and are not allowed to do? That makes no sense. Skill level may have a bearing on what you are and are not CAPABLE of doing, but to not allow something on the basis of skill? That is a bunch of hooey.

I do believe, as stated by others, that jump shots are allowed as long as the pool room does not mind. It does have to be with a full cue, but as I understand from a previous thread, you may now switch to a different cue to jump in the middle of a game, as long as it is still a full cue. Previously, it was that you could break with a separate break cue, but once you picked up your playing cue, you could not switch for the duration of the rack.

Also, in the still very new Masters divisions, I believe they allow jump cues or broken down jump/break cues to be used.
 
Ok, before I get started, I want everyone to know that I have this big smirk on my face. What you are about to read should be taken in good humor (and as good advice, for some) but nothing beyond that. I don't mean to offend anyone.

WE'RE ON THE INTERNET!! USE A SEARCH ENGINE, FIND THE APA WEBSITE AND LOOK UP THE ANSWER!!!

I know that by the time I finish this post, that's exactly what I'm going to do when the fact of the matter is, it's not my question. I KNOW an s/l 2 can jump or masse but for the sake of being thorough, I always like to support what I say with whatever facts I have readily available to me.

Ok, now to your question.

This is where you can find the official rules for the APA:

http://www.poolplayers.com/tmanual.pdf


And here is your answer:


Page 40
Section 33. EQUIPMENT

IN general, any piece of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards, with the exception of jump cues and laser devices, is acceptable in APA league play. Special equipment, such as bridges, and cue extenders, are legal. Jump shots are legal, when executed properly (see JUMP SHOTS described in Definitions), but such shots must be attempted using your regular game cue. Those cues especially designed for jump shots MAY NOT be used in competition. Players are not allowed to break their cues down to attempt jump shots.

*Any piece of equipment not covered by this rule and in question will be ruled upon by APA. Cues with moveable parts will generally NOT be allowed.

Page 95
JUMP SHOT: A jump shot is when the cue ball is struck with the cue tip in a downward fashion for the purpose of elevating or jumping the cue ball over an impeding object ball to achieve a legal hit. It is a foul to jump the cue ball by "scooping" it over the impeding ball. See a local professional for more information concerning how to jump the cue ball legally.


I will add, locally, jump-cues are allowed only when used as a short-cue in situations where a wall (or other impedment) makes it physically impossible to properly use a full-cue.
 
I asked the officials in Las Vegas last week about the jump cue rule, and about the rule that says you may not change cues in the middle of a game ( because I heard on here that the rules had changed and these things were now legal.) I was told that these rules had not been changed. No changing cues, and jump shots only with your regular playing cue....
 
A while back, Chicago had a local bylaw that you had to be a 5 to jump. The theory was that if you could do a legal jump then you shouldn't be under a 5. IIRC, that rule didn't last long, though. Some other areas may have done the same thing, which would be why you occassionally hear people say this.

Otherwise, see Jude's post.

Also, Masters divisions allow jump cues.

Cory
 
Any skill level player is allowed to attempt a jump shot, however I don't think a true SL 2 should be very good at it, but that is not to say it might happen.

It comes back to the sandbagging issue. Are they truly SL 2 if they have that good cue control?

3 years ago in the 9 ball Nationals in Vegas, an SL 5 from our team played an SL 2 from another team. SL 2 broke and made the first 16 balls (he only had to go to 19) before our player shot...including a jump shot. Later in the match, the SL 2 was coaching an SL 6 on their team, even though they had another SL 6.
 
Yep, the basic idea is, you can try a jump shot as long as its with your normal playing cue. You can't swap to your break/jump cue, even if you don't break it down.
 
In Pittsburgh the local bylaws state that only SL5 and above may jump, or masse. The theory being that a lower SL player is more likely to execute such shots in such a way as to damage the table and/or cloth...not to mention that proficiency in these shots implies a SL higher than that of a 4. We are allowed to change cues as much as we want, but must use a full cue for jumps and masse shots. I frequently use my jump/break as a short cue for tight spaces, walls, etc.
 
pool said:
In Pittsburgh the local bylaws state that only SL5 and above may jump, or masse. The theory being that a lower SL player is more likely to execute such shots in such a way as to damage the table and/or cloth...not to mention that proficiency in these shots implies a SL higher than that of a 4.
Click to expand...

Not nesessarily true in all instances. Albeit rare, in my case, when my left shoulder "froze up" (adhesive capsulation) my skill level quickly plummeted from a 5 to a 3. I could not lift my arm horizontal to a 90 degree angle in relation to my torso. I simply could not bend down far enough to line up any kind of a shot (when playing position I always tried to make my shot as short as possible, and preferred to shoot a bank shot instead of a long shot). I still had the knowledge and ability to jump a ball. But, this is a rare instance and I only mentioned it to prove that there are exceptions to almost every rule.
In my league, sandbagging is fairly common. Not much you can do about it. I've probably been accused of it myself because after my shoulder surgery/manipulation and with physical therapy 3 times a week, I started shooting better again and was "cleaning up" as a SL3. I'll get back to being a SL5 again, but I've probably pi$$ed off a few people on the way back up.

Maniac
 
ScottW said:
Yep, the basic idea is, you can try a jump shot as long as its with your normal playing cue. You can't swap to your break/jump cue, even if you don't break it down.
Click to expand...
Nope. You can switch cues, just cant break it down.
 
Icon of Sin said:
Nope. You can switch cues, just cant break it down.
Click to expand...


Please see the rule I got off the APA site [my first post to this thread]. According to that, you can ONLY use your normal shooting cue.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Please see the rule I got off the APA site [my first post to this thread]. According to that, you can ONLY use your normal shooting cue.
Click to expand...

Local bylaws prevail.

You can use a full length break cue with the phenolic tip for jumping, but not the shortened version.

These cues have to meet minimum length and weight and tip size requirements though.


Dave
 
Mr. Wilson said:
Local bylaws prevail.

You can use a full length break cue with the phenolic tip for jumping, but not the shortened version.

These cues have to meet minimum length and weight and tip size requirements though.


Dave
Click to expand...

I thought the operative rule is that you can't switch cues. So if you want to shoot your regular shots with a short jump cue, you can use it to jump. Of course, that would be kinda foolish, but you could.
 
catscradle said:
I thought the operative rule is that you can't switch cues. So if you want to shoot your regular shots with a short jump cue, you can use it to jump. Of course, that would be kinda foolish, but you could.
Click to expand...


Local Bylaws prevail.

For example, mine says ;

" "Specialized" jump cues may not be used in any APA event ( including regular session play ).
Locally, you may now change cues at any time during your turn at the table - even to execute a jump shot. The cue that you use to jump a ball may vary in weight, but must be of normal length. You may not shorten your cue in any manner to execute a jump shot, nor are you allowed to execute a jump shot with only the shaft portion of your cue. "
 
Mr. Wilson said:
Local Bylaws prevail.

For example, mine says ;

" "Specialized" jump cues may not be used in any APA event ( including regular session play ).
Locally, you may now change cues at any time during your turn at the table - even to execute a jump shot. The cue that you use to jump a ball may vary in weight, but must be of normal length. You may not shorten your cue in any manner to execute a jump shot, nor are you allowed to execute a jump shot with only the shaft portion of your cue. "
Click to expand...


Yes, local-bylaws can pretty much supercede any rule in the APA book, especially regarding proper equipment. I think, for the sake of clarity, one should stick to the rule, 'what-would-the-rule-be-in-Las-Vegas?' while noting that they should also check with their local League Operator for any amendments.
 
Mr. Wilson said:
Local bylaws prevail.

You can use a full length break cue with the phenolic tip for jumping, but not the shortened version.

These cues have to meet minimum length and weight and tip size requirements though.


Dave
Click to expand...

Local bylaws only prevail in local competition. Our league operator allows players to use their break cue even with a phonelic tip to jump balls. It does need to be full length. But if you make it to Vegas, APA rules take over and this would not be allowed.
Steve
 
I think the issue of being a minimum skill level in order to jump or masse must be a local by-law then. Because I knew I did not see anything in the APA rulebook about about. Thanks all for making sure.
 
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