Accidentally moving a ball

Oops I moved a ball

This happens a lot. Everyone has done it. Yes, even those master players that never seem to miss. Since we play cue ball fouls only, accidentally moving an object ball is not an automatic foul. This seems to be one of the most misunderstood rules in pool. Let's dig in...

Let's look at the VNEA rule:

8. ACCIDENTALLY moving or touching any ball is not a foul unless: 1) the moved ball is the cue ball or 2) a moved ball makes contact with the cue ball or 3) a moved ball that is jumped off the table or pocketed or causes any ball to be jumped off the table or pocketed. (exception to #3: If the 8-ball is jumped off the table or pocketed it is loss of game if called by the opponent before the next shot is taken). Only opponent may replace the ball moved as closely as possible or leave it where it rests. If the shooter replaces the moved ball, it will be considered a foul


Let's break down the rule:
  • Moving the cue ball is a foul
  • Moving a ball that hits the cue ball is a foul
  • Moving a ball that is jumped off the table or goes into a pocket is a foul. This also applies to moved balls that contact other balls
  • Moving a ball then placing it back without your opponent's consent is a foul
  • Moving the 8-ball that causes it to be jumped off the table or into a pocket is loss of game
If you accidentally move a ball and it contacts another object ball(s), that other ball(s) is also considered to be moved. This is important if the 8-ball is involved and when moving balls back. The opponent has the option to move the ball(s) back or leave them as they are. If the opponent chooses to move them back, they have to move all moved balls back. If more than one ball is moved, they can't move one or some of them back. All moved balls need to be moved back to where the opponent thinks they were. 

All of this is assuming the contact was accidental. Intentionally touching or moving a ball is a foul. In addition, touching a ball while shooting is a foul, accidental or not. This can happen when bridging over a ball and your bridge hand is resting on a ball. 

I remind you this is the VNEA rule. The APA, ACA, BCAPL, BBIA, BEF, BCAA, CBSA, NWPA, NEBL, USBA, USSA, UPA, WPBA, etc... have their own rules that may or may not be different. When I referee the VNEA World Championships, we see players that play in several different associations. I always hear: "well this is how we play back home". Sorry, but you're playing in a VNEA tournament with VNEA rules. THIS is how we play here. I hear this for frozen balls a lot, but that is another blog post :)

OK, so you, as the shooter, accidentally touch a ball. The ball moves a few inches to the side and doesn't touch any other balls. Tell your opponent and see if they want to move the ball back. Continue playing, no harm, no foul. 

If the player happens to move multiple balls, that does not change the rule. I've heard in other associations, the number of ball you move and how far they move, and if they balls would have collided is all taken into account. This is not the case here in the VNEA. 

Here is a good example: The player shoots the 10 ball. During the player's stroke, their hand moves the 2 ball about 6 inches to the side. The 10 ball comes around the table and would have contacted the 2 ball had it not been moved. In VNEA play, this is NOT a foul. If the 10 and 2 balls do collide, this is still NOT a foul. Now if either the 10 or 2 go in the pocket, that is a foul. If the cue ball contacts one of the moved balls, this is a foul.

The rules for accidentally moving balls and jumped balls are slightly different. Jumped balls get spotted (expect 9-ball). Accidentally moved balls have the opponent's option to be moved back or not. Jumped balls never have an option. 

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