Coaching - Rule of the Week

October 26, 2025 8:01 PM

by San Diego APA

Coaching - Rule of the Week

October 26, 2025 8:01 PM

by San Diego APA

Situation: My player is about to hit a solid ball and they are stripes, can I tell them what they are as we have no timeouts left?

Yes, Telling a player if they have solids or stripes is NOT considering coaching/time-out.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 28-30 section 18 “Coaching”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf
Other things that are ok and NOT considered coaching include:
  • Telling a player to mark the pocket when shooting the 8-ball.
  • Reminding a player which is the next ball in the rotation (9-Ball).
  • Giving advice or placing the cue ball before the break.
  • Reminding a player to chalk up.
  • Telling a player a foul has occurred.
  • Answering a player’s question concerning rules.
  • Comments such as “good hit” or “nice shot”.
  • Conversations with or comments to a player when it is not their turn at the table.
Things that are considered coaching and therefore a time-out:
  • Which ball to shoot, except in 9-Ball.
  • Where to leave the cue ball.
  • Whether to shoot soft or hard.
  • Whether to use english.
  • Whether to play safe or defensive.

This section also covers:

  • Who can coach
  • Who can call a time-out
  • What is allowed during the time-out
  • What the coach is allowed to do for the player during the time-out
  • Among other things regarding coaching

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.

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