APA Pool Definitions

BANK SHOT: A bank shot is when a player drives the object ball to the cushion in the course of making a shot.

BREAK (Break Shot): Refers to the first shot of the game.

BRIDGE: Refers to the hand that holds and guides the cue shaft, also the type of hold.

BRIDGE STICK: A cue stick with a specially shaped plate mounted on the end. This serves as support for the cue when the shooter cannot reach the spot where he would normally place his bridge.

BYE: A bye is a missing team on a schedule. Schedules are always set up to accommodate an even number of teams. When there is an odd number of teams in a division, then there will be a bye. For example, a 9-team division will be playing a 10-team schedule with one bye. If your team is scheduled to play a bye, that means you do not have a match on that occasion. A bye is a missing team or, in a singles event, individual.

CAROM: A term describing the glancing of one ball off another.

DEFENSIVE SHOTS: A defensive shot is a shot where the shooter deliberately misses so as to pass his turn at the table on to his opponent. A safety (see SAFETY in these Definitions) is a defensive shot because the shooter had no intention of making the ball. INTENTION is the key word. Sometimes intent can be a matter of opinion and judgment, but the scorekeeper's judgment must be accepted by the opposing player. Remember that defensive means deliberately missed. If a player has a nearly impossible shot and does the best he can, but still fails to even hit his ball, it does not fall into the category of defensive shots as defines here. As long as he was doing the best he could to hit and make one of his balls, then the shot is not marked as a defensive shot on the scoresheet.

DRAW: A method of stroking that causes the cue ball to spin backwards after contact with the object ball. The cue tip must contact the cue ball below center to cause the draw to happen.

ENGLISH: A method of stroking that causes the cue ball to react to the right or left after contact with an object ball or cushion.

FOLLOW: A method of stroking that causes the cue ball to FOLLOW in the same direction as the object ball when struck.

FOLLOW THROUGH: An important and desirable motion of the cue carrying through the area previously occupied by the cue ball.

FOOT OF TABLE: The end not marked with the maker's name plate, or on tables with ball returns, the end to which the balls return (see diagram of table).

FOOT SPOT: A spot placed in the exact center of a line drawn between the second diamonds from the foot rail (see diagram of table).

FOUL: An illegal shot resulting in the loss of turn at the table and CUE BALL IN HAND for the opponent.

FROZEN BALL: A FROZEN BALL is a ball that is touching either another ball or rail. If it is touching another ball, it is frozen on that ball; if it is touching the rail, it is frozen on the rail.

HEAD OF TABLE: Opposite of the foot (see diagram of table).

HEAD STRING: (see diagram of table).

INNING: Consists of one turn for each player.

JUMP SHOT: A legal shot, when properly executed, with the intention of jumping the cue ball over a ball that is in the way in order to hit or pocket an object ball. It is a foul to jump the cue ball by miscuing (scooping) it over the problem ball. See a local professional for more information concerning how to jump a ball legally.

KICK SHOT: A KICK SHOT is when a player drives the cue ball to a cushion before contacting the object ball.

LAG: Method used to start a match. Players simultaneously shoot a ball from behind the head string, banking it off the foot rail and back to the head of the table. Striking the side rail or any pocket results in loss of the lag. The closest ball to the head rail wins. It is permissible to strike the head rail. If the lagged balls make contact with each other, lag over.

LOCAL BYLAWS: Local bylaws are additional rules, policies, and procedures unique to an area. They are designed to cover local situations, such as exactly how the scoresheets are picked up and delivered, local League times and the like. Local Bylaws also might cover specific situations not covered by APA manuals. Local Bylaws may also contradict portions of this manual, especially in the general Rules Section, but only with the approval of the APA. Local Bylaws are normally written by the League Operator and the Board of Governors.

MASSE' SHOT: A shot where the shooter is attempting to curve the cue ball around a ball in order to strike an intended ball. A masse' is accomplished by raising the butt end of the cue and using either the right or left English. Even raising the butt end of the cue a little and using right English will cause the cue ball to curve a little. The more the cue is raised, the more the cue ball will curve. Extreme masse' shots, improperly executed, can cause damage to pocket billiard equipment. Although League rules do not allow masse' shots, there may be local Bylaws or individual "House Rules" in many locations limiting or prohibiting masse' shots.

MISCUE: A stroke where the cue tip does not hit the cue ball squarely enough and glances off without driving the cue ball on its desired course, often caused by not enough chalk on the tip, an improperly shaped tip or an attempt at too much English. Miscuing is not illegal unless the shooter is deliberately miscuing to scoop the cue ball over a ball that is in the shooter's way. Sometimes a miscue may result in a foul because the cue ball strikes the 8-ball or one of the opponent's balls first. It wasn't the miscue that was a foul, however, it was the fact that the cue ball struck the wrong category of balls that become the foul.

OBJECT BALL: The OBJECT BALL is the ball you are trying to hit, or any other ball of your category.

ORIGINALITY: Originality in this League system refers to original members. Original members are those members who were on a team when it gained eligibility to the APA National Team Championship or won a division title. (winning a division title means winning one of the Division Play-offs at the end of each season.) Original members are said to have ORIGINALITY. An original member can lose originality if he quits the team, but can gain originality back by rejoining that same team in accordance with other rules in this manual.

PUSH SHOTS: Push shots involve situations where the cue ball is frozen or nearly frozen to the object ball. The problem faced by the shooter is to keep from PUSHING or keeping the tip of the cue on the cue ball. It looks bad and is generally thought of as illegal. Push shots are controversial. Push shots will not be called in this amateur League. Even the professional players cannot agree with what is and what isn't a push shot. In general, you can lessen your chances of being accused of shooting a if you elevate the butt of your cue about 30 degrees. This automatically cuts down the length of the follow through which is the principal cause of a push shot. Players who repeatedly guide the cue ball through object balls that are frozen or nearly frozen to the cue ball with force, a level cue and long follow through, may be subject to a sportsmanship penalty.

SAFETY: A defensive action taken when a player has no prospective shot on the table. It is a legal shot and is not considered to be DIRTY POOL. A safety must still conform with the rule concerning hitting the CORRECT ball and striking the rail afterwards. If a CORRECT ball is accidentally pocketed while playing safe, the shooter must continue to shoot. It is polite to call safeties, but not required.

SANDBAGGING: Sandbagging, in any handicapped sport, is the unethical practice of playing well below your ability in order to alter your handicap so it doesn't reflect your true ability. There are a number of anti-sandbagging measures in this League system. You can help by properly marking defensive shots (see DEFENSIVE SHOTS in these Definitions) during regular weekly play.

SCRATCH: Pocketing of the cue ball or driving the cue ball off the playing surface and onto the floor.

SESSION: Completion of any League schedule.

THE GOVERNING BODY OF AMATEUR POOL