The BCA league rules state that push shots are illegal and are considered a foul. I was also told that if the cue ball is kissing an object ball and if the pool ball is struck in the direction of the object ball that it would be a foul, since it would be considered a push shot. If there is space between the cue and object balls, then it would be a double kiss and a foul. I've never heard of a rule where one could not stroke towards an object ball if they were in contact. Is this correct that it's a foul in BCA league play?
BCA Rules Question
- Thread starter rostym
- Start date
It is not a foul... the person that told you that doesn't understand the rules/physics of the shot.
BUT, there are ways to hit a frozen ball and cause a double hit if not done correctly.
Doing a push shot has nothing to do with the location of an object ball. A double hit, yes. A push shot, no. Apparently many don't understand the difference.
A push shot is when you literally put the tip of your cue on the cueball and push it like you were pushing a push broom. It literally is why it’s called a push shot. It would be illegal.
Stroking at a frozen pair in the direction of the line connecting their centers is not a push shot in American Pool, so long as it’s a normal stroke.
I don't think I've ever seen a real -- by the definition above -- push shot in a tournament match. An old-time hustler showed me a push shot that sends the cue ball straight through the ball it is frozen to even if they are lined up off-angle. It takes a lot of practice to perfect and it is illegal.
A more obvious push shot is to freeze a ball on the cushion near a pocket and freeze the cue ball to it and straight out from the rail. Shoot straight at the object ball but push rather than stroke and use a lot of side spin. The object ball squirts along the rail like a watermelon seed. Do not apply any stroke force until after the tip is on the cue ball.
Kind of like this?
There should be a stipulation that the shooter or a ref needs to call "froze" before the deed is done.
You are allowed to hit into a frozen CB per the info and videos here:
Examples of push shots can be found here:
They key to this frozen ball shot is that it has to be a legal stroke, meaning smooth, through the ball with momentary contact. I see a lot of players try to jack up on this shot to try to draw it back or avoid a foul, causing a foul in the process by pushing or double-hitting the cueball during the stroke. That's when the cueball squirts forward past the tangent line of the frozen balls before it stops or goes back.
The CB always goes forward of the tangent line when the CB is frozen to the OB. See the examples on the frozen CB shot resource page.
No. Shot 1 is stroked, not pushed. The push shot in that position has the object ball go straight sideways into the near pocket.
The Hustler opening scene bank shot was one of the shots studied in the Jacksonville Experiment. It can be done with a single tip contact but there are often multiple hits.
Here's a demo of that shot along with other interesting related shots:
Here's a demo with slow motion playback:
And this is why the push-out shot of 9-ball needs a different name.
As everyone mentioned, a normal stroke directly at a frozen ball pair is legal.
However, some local tournaments, leagues, etc, will make you shoot away from the balls, and/or jack up to 45 deg, anytime the balls are within a chalk distance or similar. Then, whatever happens next, is legal. This is purely to avoid arguments and necessitating experienced refs.
I saw this first hand at a high level, open, regional tournament. It was a Mezz event in Philadelphia about 15 years ago. $75 - $100 entry range and no one is barred, 64 player field. The finals were between two fargo 730 range players. It was 4am, and the tournament director went home, and only a few railbirds left. The shooter landed straight on the 9, close to the corner, but about a chalk width away. Any good player would have won the game shooting jacked up. The rule on this regional tour, however, was if the balls were that close, you must shoot away no matter what. The player went to shoot it jacked up and straight in for the win, and the opponent stopped him and said the rule is to shoot away. The shooter said are you kidding? But that was the rule. So the player shot away in a safe, and lost from there.
However, some local tournaments, leagues, etc, will make you shoot away from the balls, and/or jack up to 45 deg, anytime the balls are within a chalk distance or similar. Then, whatever happens next, is legal. This is purely to avoid arguments and necessitating experienced refs.
I saw this first hand at a high level, open, regional tournament. It was a Mezz event in Philadelphia about 15 years ago. $75 - $100 entry range and no one is barred, 64 player field. The finals were between two fargo 730 range players. It was 4am, and the tournament director went home, and only a few railbirds left. The shooter landed straight on the 9, close to the corner, but about a chalk width away. Any good player would have won the game shooting jacked up. The rule on this regional tour, however, was if the balls were that close, you must shoot away no matter what. The player went to shoot it jacked up and straight in for the win, and the opponent stopped him and said the rule is to shoot away. The shooter said are you kidding? But that was the rule. So the player shot away in a safe, and lost from there.
From what I understand balls frozen together you can stroke through and any gap you cannot.
A push shot is not allowed because it's not a 'stroke'
Last edited:
The only official league rules I am aware of that still have a 45 degree nonsense is VNEA, and it applies only when the CB is frozen to the OB. Fortunately, in response to the video I did on this topic, which I submitted to the VNEA rules committee, they have decided to remove this antiquated rule from the books starting this fall: