Rule of the Week - Balls Knocked off the Table

December 17, 2024 12:18 AM

Rule of the Week - Balls Knocked off the Table

December 17, 2024 12:18 AM

Situation: During my turn at the table I knock a ball off the table onto the floor. What do I do now?

Object balls that get knocked off the playing surface will be spotted on the foot spot. If the foot spot is taken, the ball will be placed directly behind the foot spot, as close to the foot spot as possible. If two or more balls are knocked on the floor, they are placed in numerical order with the lowest numbered ball closest to the foot spot. Spotted balls are placed frozen to one another.

8-Ball - It might occur that a player legally pockets a ball while simultaneously knocking some other ball(s) on the floor. In this situation, it is still their turn and the ball(s) is/are not spotted until their turn ends. If the ball on the floor is one of the shooter’s balls, then it is spotted when the shooter has pocketed all of their other balls. If it is the 8-ball that is knocked on the floor, the shooter loses the game.

9-Ball - Balls that get knocked off the playing surface will be immediately spotted on the foot spot. The 9-ball is spotted:

a. Anytime it is knocked off the table other than when it is pocketed.

b. Anytime it is pocketed and the shooter scratches or otherwise fouls.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 49 section 8 “Balls On The Floor”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

You can submit a "Rule of the Week" to the league office:

Email to sandiego@apaleagues.com.
Email Subject Line must read “SDAPA Rule of the Week”
Clearly state the rule/situation and if you know where the answer is found please provide those details.

Spring Session 2026 is Around the Corner

12/3/25 - 12:00 am

Be(e) On The Lookout Sun–Thurs Spring Session Divisions - Have all been released Schedules could change in extreme cases so please check 24 hours before your first match for week 1 on who your opponent is and where you will be playing, thanks. The purpose of posting early / pre-release divisions is to give teams a chance to review and request any needed changes before the official Spring Session s

When is a Timeout a Timeout - Rule of the Week

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Situation: My opponent during their turn at the table requests a timeout. The team/coach indicated it wasn't necessary and didn't take it. Isn't this still a timeout? No, if the shooter requests a time-out, the coach may refuse it and no time-out will be charged. However, if any member of the team suggests a time-out to the shooter, the time-out will be charged. Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM)

Pocketed Balls (outside forces) - Rule of the Week

12/29/25 - 6:00 pm

Situation: While shooting my opponent doesn't make a ball but one of their balls sits on the edge of the pocket. They walk away from the table and it falls into the pocket. Is it still their turn? No, Once a ball has stopped all motion, it cannot move again without outside forces affecting it. Therefore, if a ball which has been hanging in a pocket for more than a few seconds suddenly drops, it