Interference
NAPA League Operators have two interference rule options available to them for local leagues.
Option #1: All Ball Fouls
Any accidental movement(s) of any ball(s) during a shooter’s turn at the table is a ball-in-hand foul.
Incoming player has the option to move the ball(s) back to their original position. Pocketed balls stay down.
- 8-ball / Fast 8: If the interfered ball is the 8-ball and it falls into a pocket, it is a loss of game.
- 7-ball: If the interfered ball is the 7-ball and it falls into a pocket, the 7-ball is re-spotted on the rack spot immediately following the interference.
- 9-ball: If the interfered ball is the 9-ball and it falls into a pocket, the 9-ball is re-spotted on the rack spot immediately following the interference.
- 10-ball: If the interfered ball is the 10-ball and it falls into a pocket, the 10-ball is re-spotted on the rack spot immediately following the interference.
Option #2: The NAPA Standard
- If the cue ball is accidentally moved at any time, this is a ball-in-hand foul.
- If more than one ball is moved at any time, this is a ball-in-hand foul.
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If only one object ball (any ball other than the cue ball) is accidentally moved, no foul has occurred unless one of the following happens:
- The moved ball contacts another ball.
- The moved ball is pocketed.
Important: If only one object ball was moved and no foul occurred, the shooter must ask the opponent whether they want the moved ball returned to its original position or left where it came to rest. Failure to ask is a ball-in-hand foul.
If the opponent requests that the moved ball be restored, the shooter must move it back to its original position.
- 8-ball / Fast 8: If the interfered ball is the 8-ball and it falls into a pocket, it is a loss of game.
- 7-ball: If the interfered ball is the 7-ball and it falls into a pocket, the 7-ball is re-spotted on the rack spot immediately following the interference.
- 9-ball: If the interfered ball is the 9-ball and it falls into a pocket, the 9-ball is re-spotted on the rack spot immediately following the interference.
- 10-ball: If the interfered ball is the 10-ball and it falls into a pocket, the 10-ball is re-spotted on the rack spot immediately following the interference.
- If a moving ball is accidentally touched, moved, bumped, or interfered with, it is a ball-in-hand foul.
- If a foul has occurred, any moved balls must stay where they came to rest. Any pocketed balls must stay pocketed.
Special Situations (Applies to Option #1 and Option #2)
- Intentionally moving any ball (directly or indirectly) is a loss of rack (and poor sportsmanship).
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Outside interference / act of God:
- If you can restore the table and the 8-ball was not pocketed: Balls are replaced as near as possible to their original positions; play resumes with no penalty on the shooter affected.
- If you cannot restore the table or the 8-ball was pocketed: Shooters replay the game with the original shooter breaking.
Fouls
When a shooter commits a foul, they must relinquish their run at the table and no balls pocketed on the foul shot are re-spotted (exception: if a pocketed ball is the 10-ball, it is to be placed on the spot). The incoming shooter is awarded ball in hand and may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. If a shooter commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul.
Scratch Shot
Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a ball-in-hand foul.
Scratching on the 10-Ball
- If a shooter is shooting at the 10-ball, fails to pocket the 10-ball and scratches, it is a foul.
- If a shooter is shooting at the 10-ball, pockets the 10-ball and scratches, it is a foul and the 10-ball is placed on the spot. Incoming shooter has cue ball in hand.
Object Balls Jumped Off the Table
An un-pocketed ball is considered driven off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table. It is a foul to drive an object ball off the table. The jumped object ball(s) is not re-spotted (exception: if the object ball is the 10-ball, it is placed on the spot) and play continues with the incoming shooter having cue ball in hand. If there are any balls on the foot spot or blocking the foot spot, the 10-ball is placed directly behind the blocking ball(s) toward the foot cushion.
Foreign Object: Causing any ball to jump off the table, contact any foreign object while off the table, then land back onto the playing surface is a foul. The incoming shooter has cue ball in hand. The table remains where the balls came to rest. If the 10-ball is pocketed during this foul, it is a loss of game for the shooter.
Bad Hit
If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, it is a foul.
No Cushion
If, after the cue ball first strikes a legal ball, neither the cue ball nor any other ball hits a cushion or is pocketed, it is a foul.
Foot on the Floor
Failure to have at least one foot on the floor at the moment the cue tip strikes the cue ball is a foul, unless the shooter is prevented by an obvious physical handicap and that handicap is clearly declared to both team captains and all participating shooters before the team match commences.
Miscue Jump Shot
Any miscue on a jump shot is a cue ball in hand foul. A legal jump shot must be executed by stroking down through the cue ball (no scooping or miscues).
Shooting Moving Balls
Shooting while any ball is moving or spinning is a foul.
Double Hit
If the cue tip strikes the cue ball twice on the same stroke it is a foul.
Head String
The base of the cue ball must be inside the head string on the break.
Marking the Table
Marking the table in any way that could provide a shooter an advantage in executing a shot, and then executing a shot, is a ball-in-hand foul.
Note: Placing cue chalk on the felted rail surface (or partially on the felt) by the shooter, a coach, any team player, or any 3rd party and then executing a shot is a ball-in-hand foul.
Placing cue chalk on the hard rail surface (not on the felt) is not considered marking the table and is not a foul.
Out of Play Balls
Out of play balls may not be used to measure gaps or spaces of any kind. Using any equipment in a non-customary manner is a foul.
Exhausting Time Allotment
After a time clock (or watch) has been instituted, any violation of the allotted shot time is a cue ball in hand foul. See “Time Allotment” under “General Rules”.
One Foul per Turn
A shooter can only commit one foul per turn. If a shooter commits several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul.
Legal Shot
A legal shot requires that the cue ball be struck only with the cue tip of the pool cue. Failure to meet this requirement is a ball-in-hand foul.
To perform a legal stroke on the cue ball, the shooter must stroke the cue ball using a horizontal stroke motion with the cue stick.
Performing a downward stroke is also legal if performed properly based on all other NAPA rules concerning jump shots, frozen ball shots, or masse shots.
Any upward motion from underneath the cue ball is not a legal stroke and is a ball-in-hand foul. Any illegal shot results in ball in hand.
Foul Call Timing
All fouls must be called immediately after they happen. Calling a foul a shot later (or multiple shots later) is not a legal foul call.