Rule of the Week - Breaking

March 4, 2025 11:01 PM

by San Diego APA

Rule of the Week - Breaking

March 4, 2025 11:01 PM

by San Diego APA

Situation: Player breaks but the cue ball scratches without making contact with any object balls. What happens next?

The rack must be struck before a foul can occur. So the same player will attempt to break again.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 45-46 section 3 “Breaking”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:

Players physically unable to break and what happens.
Where the cue ball needs to be to break.
Legal and non-legal breaks.
When the break switches to your opponent.
Where the rack must be struck.
Soft breaking.

In addition, page 28 section 18 "Coaching" Note 3 states:

A team can only be charged with a time out after the rack has been struck in any individual game.

Note: a coach can help a player position the cue ball and even how to break and this isn’t a timeout.

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

1/5/26 - 6:00 pm

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