2023 Push Shot rule change

VNEA rule change: 2023

The Push Shot rule has been updated, removing the 45 degree requirement. 

OLD RULE: 7. PUSH SHOT FOULS: 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.) With a cue ball and object ball frozen, shooting the shot from any angle other than at least 45 degrees above, or at least 45 degrees to the right or at least 45 degrees to the left of center from the straight line of the frozen balls is a foul and must be so called.

NEW RULE: 7. PUSH SHOT FOULS: 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 normal and legally stroked shot. (Such shots are usually referred to as push shots.)

This means a player can shoot through a frozen ball (or rail) as long as the tip only has 'momentary contact' with the cue ball. When reffing this type of shot, the 'momentary contact' will be the deciding factor for calling a good hit or foul. This can be judged by watching the contact and also observing the action of the balls after contact. If the cue ball races ahead of the object ball, then this would be a foul. 

Here are some slow motion videos of shooting through a frozen ball. You can see the cue has only momentary contact with the cue ball....





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