Frozen Balls - Rule of the Week

March 2, 2026 5:48 PM

by San Diego APA

Frozen Balls - Rule of the Week

March 2, 2026 5:48 PM

by San Diego APA

Situation: My object ball is frozen to the rail, if I hit my object ball and then the cue ball hits that same rail is this a legal shot. Some have stated that I must drive the balls to another rail? 

This is not a foul, for this specific case see the first line under section d of the Fouls:

d. If, after contacting a ball that is frozen to a rail, the shooter fails to:

Drive the cue ball to ANY rail after the cue ball touches the frozen ball.
Drive the frozen ball to another rail or into a pocket.
Drive the frozen ball away from the rail and into another ball which, in turn, causes the frozen ball to hit any rail or go into a pocket, or causes the other ball to hit any rail or go into a pocket.

If, after making simultaneous contact between a frozen ball and the rail it is frozen to, the shooter fails to:

Drive the cue ball to another rail.
Drive the frozen ball to another rail or into a pocket.
Drive the cue ball off the rail and into another ball which, in turn, causes the cue ball to hit any rail, or causes the other ball to hit any rail or go into a pocket.
Drive the frozen ball off the rail and into another ball which, in turn, causes the frozen ball to hit any rail, or causes the other ball to hit any rail or go into a pocket.
As it relates to frozen balls there are numerous situations that the OTM breaks down to address what is legal contact and what is not legal contact.

Rule: Official Team Manual (OTM) page 53-55 “Fouls”: https://media.poolplayers.com/TMRB/Team-Manual-English.pdf

This section also covers:
  • All other BIH scenarios
  • Scratching on the break
  • Doubles, 8-ball and 9-ball specific cases

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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