PUSH SHOTS, DOUBLE HITS, AAAAH!!!!!!!
July 14, 2010

Push Shots and Double Hits are probably the most controversial shots in the pool world. They might also be the most difficult shots to determine whether the shot is legal or illegal. Over the years the different rule books and different organizations have treated this situation differently.

In the past World Standardized Rules stated that: It is a foul if the cue ball is pushed by the cue tip, with contact being maintained for more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot (such shots are usually referred to as Push Shots).
WSR rules on judging Double Hits stated: When the distance between the cue ball and the object ball is less than the width of a chalk cube, special attention from the referee is required. The rule also stated that if the cue ball follows through the object ball more than ½ ball, it is a foul. In 2008, WSR rules were changed. The ruling on a Push Shot now reads: It is a foul to prolong tip to cue ball contact beyond that seen in normal shots. The WSR Double Hit rule now reads: If the cue stick contacts the cue ball more than once on a shot, the shot is a foul. If the cue ball is close to but not touching an object ball and the cue tip is still on the cue ball when the cue ball contacts that object ball, the shot is a foul. If the cue ball is very close to an object ball, and the shooter barely grazes that object ball on the shot, the shot is assumed not to violate the first paragraph of this rule, even though the tip is arguably still on the cue ball when ball to ball contact is made. OK! NO PROBLEM!

In “The Official Rules of the BCA Pool League”, we have tried to keep it as simple as possible. Our definition of a Push Shot reads: A shot in which the cue tip maintains contact with the cue ball longer than the momentary contact allowed for a legal stroke. The rule itself (1.30) simply states that it is a foul if you shoot a push shot. The BCAPL definition of a Double Hit is: When the cue tip strikes the cue ball more than once on the same stroke. The Double Hit rule (1.31) states: It is a foul if your cue tip is still in contact with the cue ball when the cue ball strikes an object ball. However, if the cue ball and object are in close proximity to each other and the cue ball strikes the object ball at a very slight angle the shot will be considered legal provided no other foul is committed. We (BCAPL) also state in the Applied Rulings that: The term “slight angle” is often referred to in various other ways, including the common terms “thinning”, “feathering”, “sharp cut” or “very fine angle”.

The BCA Pool League has tried to simplify the rules as much as possible and make them easy to understand, but in reference to the Double Hit rule, it may be an impossible task. The answer is very simple in reality. CALL A REFEREE!!! Take the decision on whether it was a legal shot or not out of you or your opponents hands and let a referee or third party decide. Live with the decision and continue on with the game. If a referee or third party is called after the shot has been made, the call will go to the shooter in most cases.

We haven’t really solved anything with this article other than reaffirm the contention that Push Shots and Double Hits are very difficult shots to call, which leads to arguments 99% of the time. CALL A REFEREE!!!!