Rule of the Week - Switching Coaches During a Timeout

January 27, 2025 9:43 PM

by San Diego APA

Rule of the Week - Switching Coaches During a Timeout

January 27, 2025 9:43 PM

by San Diego APA


Situation: My opponents team calls a timeout and one of the players on the team starts to give the timeout. After the coach has already talked to the player at the table they switch coaches to someone else on the team. Is this allowed?

No, during their turn at the table, the shooter may discuss strategy only with the coach designated for that time-out. A coach may get a group consensus from other players on their team and pass it on to the shooter, but only the designated coach may pass it on.

A team can change coaches from timeout to timeout but not during a timeout. In addition this is the only non-shooting Ball In Hand foul (see page 54 section f of the OTM).

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 28-30 “Coaching”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:
  • Ineligible players
  • What is considered a timeout and what is not
  • Number of timeouts based on SL and divison format

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.


How to Get Your Pre-Play Match Released Early
3/5/26 - 9:00 pm
🎯 Pre-Play Match Release Guide Need to play your match early? No problem! If your team needs a future scheduled match released early (for Pre-Play) so you can use Scorekeeper, just email or text the League Office with: 🏆 Your Team Name and/or Number 📅 The Week of Play you want released early 🕒 When We Can Release Future Matches Tues, Wed, or Thurs teams: 🗓️ We can post your matches on Frida
2026 Team Captain Appreciation and Championship Qualifier
3/4/26 - 12:00 am
This event is dedicated In Loving Memory of Ginger Beedie & Phil Oh Vegas Qualifier & Captain Appreciation Saturday, April 4, 2026 @ The Break Room (4365 Convoy St, San Diego)Doors Open at 8:30 am | Play Starts at 9:00 am Link to Event Flyer Eligible Captains from 2025-26 League Year * Tournament FAQs * If 2026 Spring Session is the 2nd session as captain, then players must remain as c
2026 Spring Singles Regional
3/3/26 - 6:23 pm
On March 7-8, 2026, we will be hosting the 2026 Spring Singles Regional at Pockets Billiards & Brew! EMAIL FROM APA: All qualified players (who won a local singles board from 6/16/25 to 11/30/25) should have received a Congratulations email from the APA with information about the event (sent approx 1st week in February). If you are opted out of emails, you will not receive these types of commu