FIND US ON FACEBOOK!!
p6-Player of the Month: Michelle Jiang p10-Roy Pastor: Break Physics p15-10 reasons To Join the USAPL p16-USAPL Rules p25-How Can Your Shooting Game Go Wrong? p27-Upcoming Events
2 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
Welcome to this issue of “Off the Break”. The magazine for the USA Pool League Player. The USAPL is a nationally structured handicapped league designed to accommodate all players from the beginner to the advanced. Whether you are a beginner just looking to have fun with friends or a top amateur looking to win your way to the USAPL National Championships, this is the league for you. Also, there is no annual membership. You read right...membership is FREE! The USAPL uses Online League Management Software. This is a “real-time” state of the art pool league management system that all USAPL members can access 24/7. All USAPL players can view team standings, MVP point standings, schedules, rosters, every match score sheet from every match ever played, player histories and stats,….plus much more. LeagueSys is interfaced with the Fairplay handicap system and player’s ratings will be updated and changed as soon as that week’s score sheets are entered. So what will you find inside? Inside each issue you’ll find pictures of local and distant league players. We’ll spotlight one player per issue on our “Player of the Month” page. It could be you! You’ll find articles and pictures covering league playoffs, instructional tips, player appreciation parties and so much more. With our Q & A page, we’ll answer your questions on rules, techniques and playing strategies. So turn the page, check out and enjoy the contents and give us your feedback.
Thank you! Jeff Gardner / Editor Owner - Eastern New England USA Pool League
Off The Break Magazine | 3
Welcome to the USA Pool League!! The USA Pool League (USAPL) is designed to provide every player the utmost fun and excitement. By using the proven Fairplay handicap system, the USAPL provides an even playing field for players of all skill levels. Players compete weekly in a fair and fun format for cash, prizes, and a chance to play in post-season events culminating in the USAPL National Championships. The proprietary Fairplay handicap system uses a mathematical formula based on simple game statistics to calculate player ratings. It provides the most accurate player ratings and has a success rate of more than 70% of matches ending in a hill-hill conclusion. Each new player receives a temporary rating until he or she completes three (3) matches, after which players receive a national rating based on the Fairplay formula. Player statistics, team standings, and league records are managed by our web-based league management system - LeagueSys. LeagueSys is provided at no charge and is available at any time for League Managers or players to review their league information. Team play consists of three (3), four (4), or five (5) players competing in a head-to-head format. After being selected by the team captains, players meet in a one-onone race to their rating. The match continues until all players have completed their sets. Every shot counts because bonus points are awarded based on the margin of victory. Http://www.playcsipool.com/usapl-rules.html 4 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
http://www.thebilliardscafe.com/
VISIT BILLIARDS CAFE ON FACEBOOK
Off The Break Magazine | 5
Player of the Month Name: Michelle Jiang Age: 14 Born: China
Born and raised in China, Michelle moved to the United States with her family at an early age. Michelle has been playing pool for 2 years now in the USA Pool League and is currently ranked a 55. She placed 3rd in the youth 8-ball fall session of 2014, and is currently ranked 5th in the youth 9-ball spring session of 2015. Michelle placed 12th in the Junior Billiards World Championships, held in November, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Michelle won her second consecutive 1st place Junior State title in the 14 and under division on March 28th at the 2015 BEF Massachusetts Junior 9-Ball Championships held at Billiards Cafe in Ayer Mass and placed 3rd in the 2015 BEF Connecticut Junior 9-Ball Championships on April 4th. Junior players competed for State titles, trophies, scholarship money and an opportunity to compete in the National Junior Championships this August. Good luck Michelle and congratulations on being the “Player of the Month�
6 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
Off The Break Magazine | 7
8 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
http://bullseyebilliards.net/
Off The Break Magazine | 9
Roy Pastor is a BCA Advanced Level Instructor. He is a principal and an instructor with the American Academy of Billiard and Cue Sports, a BCA accredited training facility. He may be contacted at www. Billiardacademy.com No portion of this article may be reprinted or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
Power Break Physics Billiards is a game of collisions. Nowhere is this statement more apparent than on the power break shot. The power break is designed to transfer as much energy as humanly possible to the rack. This burst of energy is needed to maximize the potential for sinking a ball and to get a good “spread” on the table. The specific kind of energy needed to complete this task is called “kinetic” energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of movement. If you go back for a moment to your high school physics class, you may recall the formula for the measurement of kinetic energy: KE = ½ mass x velocity2 In other words, the amount of energy a moving object possesses is equal to ½ of the mass of the object multiplied by the speed that the object is traveling squared. It is this marriage of speed and mass that allows us to optimize the amount of energy transferred to the rack. There is a third, often overlooked, factor in our goal of energy optimization, and that is the proper cue ball hit. This “step child” of the power break frequently manifests itself in inefficiencies of energy transfer causing the energy to be expended in unexpected or undesired ways. SPEED The most recognizable variable of our kinetic energy formula is velocity2. Every pool player is aware of what happens when he or she hits a cue ball hard. Simply put, the cue ball goes faster and transfers more energy to the target balls, causing the targets to move faster. Because the speed of the traveling object is squared (multiplied by itself) in our physics formula, we can understand that increasing the speed is the key to the transfer of energy. However, we must recognize that the cue ball collision with its target is only the second collision in the energy transfer process. The first collision occurs when the tip of the cue strikes the cue ball. The most important question then becomes, how do I move my cue stick as fast as I can when I break? The answer to this question will mostly depend on the mass of the cue stick as well as the physical abilities of the shooter. MASS It would not have been uncommon, in the not too distant past, to find players using 22 – 25 ounce break cues. The theory being that the heavier cue stick, like a heavy hammer, would provide a harder hit. The size and weight of the item being wielded obviously refers to the mass of the item. Someone along the way, however, remembered their high school physics formula for kinetic energy and had the notion that a player could possibly generate more speed with a lighter cue. After all, our formula calls for only ½ of the mass of the propelled object multiplied by velocity squared. Any advantage in acquiring more speed will benefit our attempt to increase energy transfer.
10 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
However, how do we determine what is the optimum mass that we need to maximize speed? This determination is mostly a personal calculation. While most modern break cues fall in the 18 to 19 ounce range, some manufacturers are producing break cues as light as 12 ounces. The theory is that we, as human beings, can only move our arms so fast. If we are holding nothing, our arms will move at a certain maximum speed. As we add weight to our arm, by holding objects with a heavier mass, we will not be able to move our arms quite as fast. The heavier the objects that we hold, the slower we will be able to move our hands. This analysis is simply an expression of Sir Isaac Newton’s second law of physics, which states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object and is inversely proportional to the mass of the object. The essential calculation then becomes, what is the maximum weight/mass that I can hold in my hand while still maintaining maximum velocity? This interplay between mass and velocity can best be explained by visualizing the following scenario. Suppose you are given a choice of a number of items with which to strike a piñata. The items are: a feather; a broom stick; a baseball bat; and a fifty pound sledge hammer. The piñata contains candy which you desperately desire and you are only given one swing to break the piñata open. The feather is the lightest item and therefore contains the smallest amount of mass. As a result, it will result in the least amount of drag on your arm and allow you to maintain the maximum amount of speed in your swing. However, common sense dictates that the mass of the feather is too small to get the job done. It can strike the piñata at a great speed, but the mass will be insufficient to transfer enough energy to cause any damage to the target. Greater mass will be needed to break the piñata. You might also try the 50 pound sledge hammer. It certainly has sufficient mass to break a piñata made of cardboard, glue and paper. However, even if you could swing it over your head, chances are that you would not be able to move it with enough speed to do anything other than “push” the piñata around on its string. You would not be able to generate enough speed, and therefore energy, to break the piñata open. However, most of us would be able to break open the piñata using either the broom stick or the baseball bat. Our choice of weapon will be determined on our assessment of how hard and fast we think we might be able to wield the object. How much speed, and therefore how much energy we can generate, will depend on our individual physical strength and swing technique. For our purposes the question ultimately becomes, given my physical strengths and limitations, what is the heaviest cue that I can wield while maintaining a highest possible speed? Ideally, we would be able to test a number of break cues, identical except as to varying weights, utilizing a radar device. By measuring the speed of the cue ball after it is struck by the break cue we would easily be able to determine the optimum cue weight would allow us to generate the most speed. Proper Cue Ball Hit Even if we are able to ascertain the perfect weight to compliment our strength and skills, several other factors come into play in our attempt to maximize energy transfer. Firstly, let us take a look at the concept of Kinetic Energy as applied to the break shot. As previously discussed, Kinetic Energy is the energy of movement. There are, however, many forms of Kinetic Energy. The two forms of Kinetic Energy we are concerned with are Linear Energy and Rotational Energy. Linear energy is the energy the cue ball possesses when it is sliding and not rolling. We have all witnessed the transfer of linear energy whenever we have made or observed a stop shot. The reason a cue ball stops dead, after making a full hit on an object ball, is that it possesses only linear energy and linear energy transfers very efficiently to the object ball. The cue ball stops because it has no energy left. All of its energy has been transferred to the object ball.
Off The Break Magazine | 11
Because the object ball and the cue ball made of a very hard material, Phenolic Resin, there is very little energy lost when they collide. The collisions are said to be Elastic. The elasticity of a collision is expressed in terms of its resiliency. Resiliency is measured by the Coefficient of Restitution. The coefficient of restitution is a fractional value setting forth the ratio of velocities both before and after and impact. A coefficient of restitution of 1 represents a perfectly elastic collision where the kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the kinetic energy after the collision. A coefficient of 0 would represent a perfectly inelastic collision where the two colliding objects would simply stop upon colliding without any bounce whatsoever. This is the reason that most modern break cues are equipped with tips made of phenolic resin. A soft leather tip will compress, causing a more inelastic collision and driving the coefficient of restitution away from 1 and closer to 0. While there is some minimal energy loss in the collision between a cue ball and object ball, it is small enough that we generally assume that the coefficient of restitution of the collision between an object ball and the cue ball is equal to 1. That is, on a stop shot, the cue ball stops dead while the object ball will leave the collision with the same amount of kinetic energy, and thus speed, as the cue ball had just prior to the collision. Of course this assumes a full ball hit. A full ball hit occurs when both the object ball and the cue ball contact each other at their respective centers of mass. Anything less would allow the cue ball to retain a certain amount of energy. We recognize this as a cut shot. However, even with a cut shot the total amount of kinetic energy transferred to the object ball and the kinetic energy retained by the cue ball will equal the total amount of kinetic energy possessed by the cue ball prior to the collision. The coefficient of restitution will continue to have a value of 1. What happens when we add rotational energy to the cue ball? A cue ball rolling down the cloth of a table, that is not sliding, will possess both linear and rotational energy. However, we all know that rotational energy, unlike linear energy, transfers very inefficiently to the object ball. The cue ball will retain most of its rotational energy after collision. Only the linear energy will be efficiently transferred. Take a very close look at a cue ball when top or bottom spin is applied, after making full contact with an object ball. The cue ball will stop in its place for an instant after the object ball leaves the point of impact, spin in its place and then proceed in the direction of the spin. This phenomenon occurs because all of the linear energy has transferred to the object ball, leaving the cue ball with only rotational energy. The rotational energy causes the cue ball to spin in its place until the friction with the cloth catches. The cue ball will then proceed in the direction of the spin. Some of the rotational energy then transforms into linear energy as the cue travels along its designated path.
What does all this mean for the break shot? Take a look at the two diagrams above. The one on the left depicts a shot we might use to impart “top” or “forward” spin while the diagram on the right depicts a shot imparting “back” spin. Both diagrams reflect the imparting of rotational energy to the cue ball. What else can we deduce from these diagrams? For one thing, both shots depicted require the cue stick to
12 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
strike the cue ball in a location somewhere other than the center of mass. An analogy can be made to our previously discussed cut shot. If you recall our discussion of a two ball collision, when the cue ball strikes the object ball at a location other than the center of mass of both balls, a full ball hit, then the cue ball retains some of its linear energy. By striking the cue ball above or below its center of mass, we will lose some efficiency of energy transfer. Finally, take a look at the diagrams and think about how many lines of energy are formed by the hits. For instance, the hit imparting “Top” spin to the cue ball, while providing a certain amount of linear energy, also imparts a line of energy downward towards the table. This shot and every shot using top spin will use some of its energy to drive the cue ball into the table causing it to hop. Like a mini-jump shot, the cue ball will hop off the table, become air borne for a period of time, and return to the table bouncing until it regains a normal table roll. If it continues to bounce as it hits the rack, it may bounce right off the table. A bottom spin hit may similarly cause the cue ball to become air borne by driving a line of energy up away from the table. The energy used to create top or back spin will also be wasted as it will mostly not transfer to the rack. Neither prospect offers much in the way of maximizing the linear energy the cue ball can impart to the rack. How then do we maximize the linear energy we can provide to the cue ball on the break shot? Let’s go back to the basic stop shot. When the cue ball and object ball are very close together, we only need to hit the cue ball at center mass to effectuate a stop shot. The cue ball will be sliding when it hits the object ball at its center mass, thereby transferring all of its linear energy.
The center mass hit imparts only linear energy. It also provides the most efficient contact between the center of the mass of the cue stick and the center of mass of the cue ball. Assuming that we have maximized the speed of our arm and the cue stick, a center mass cue ball hit will maximize the amount of linear kinetic energy imparted to the cue ball and, in turn, the energy that the cue ball can impart to the rack. Of course, even with a perfect center ball hit, the cue ball may pick up some rotational energy as it travels down the table and creates friction with the cloth. However, by this time you have already created the
Off The Break Magazine | 13
maximum energy that your strength and skill have allowed. The small amount of forward rotational energy created by friction will often result in favorable cue ball position. Because a perfect rack, where all balls are frozen to each other, acts as one unit, it may have up to fifteen times the mass of the cue ball. Because of its larger mass, the cue ball will tend to bounce off the rack and head back towards the shooter. That little bit of forward friction based spin may help keep the cue ball center table after the break. CONCLUSION: Armed with a basic understanding of kinetic energy and the means by which it is transferred, the pool player can approach the break shot methodically and with intelligent purpose. It is more than just “hitting the ball hard”. From picking out the proper equipment personal to the shooter, to making that all important center mass hit, the break shot is comprised of a series of complex acts and processes. Roy w. Pastor Copyright © 2009
14 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
10 Reasons to Join the USA Pool League! Why is Eastern New England USA Pool the league for you and your friends? 1. It is FREE to join the USAPL. 2. Teams and individuals are eligible to win trophies, cash and participate in the USAPL National Championships, held in Las Vegas alongside the BCAPL Nationals. 3. Tired of playing on Father’s Day, Mother’s day, Memorial Day and other holidays? The USAPL has more flexibility in scheduling, team structure and events. 4. Can’t get a hold of your League operator or division rep but have an issue on league night? A representative of the Eastern New England USA Pool league will be on-call during league nights to answer questions and respond to concerns as they arise. 5. The “Fairplay” handicap system ensures that all players, from the beginner to the experienced will be able to have fun and compete each and every week. 6. Players are able to go on-line 24/7 to view individual and team stats. 7. No need to break up teams because of a numerical limit. Both USAPL players and teams are subject to handicaps, allowing all teams to compete fairly regardless of team makeup. Stay with your friends and make league night your night! 8. The USAPL uses rules designed to help the player improve while having fun. BCA rules apply. Play the games the pros play. 9. 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, One-Pocket and Straight Pool formats are offered. Additionally, the USAPL has 3, 4 and 5 person team formats. With only three or four player match formats, be home in time to take care of your “life” needs without sacrificing your night out with friends. 10. Eastern New England USA Pool League members will be offered FREE “clinics” taught by BCA accredited Instructors during the first two sessions of play.
Signing up players and teams now!! Off The Break Magazine | 15
General Rules Lag Each player begins with a ball in hand behind the head string on either side of the long string. Players shoot approximately the same time. Each player’s ball must strike the foot cushion and return towards the head rail. The player whose ball lands closest to the head rail wins the lag. The winner of the lag can choose to break or can require their opponent to break. The winner of each rack has the break on the subsequent rack. A player will lose the lag if their ball: Hits a side cushion; is pocketed or jumps off the table; crosses the long string.
Racking You must rack for yourself when breaking. The balls should be racked as tightly as possible. Your opponent may inspect the rack and require a re-rack if not satisfied.
Except for the break, the shooter must call the intended object ball and intended pocket before the shot is made. This is a “Gentleman’s Call Pocket” game. The shooter is not required to call obvious shots, even if shooting the 8-ball, 9-ball or 10-ball. If the called object ball falls into the called pocket, it is a legal shot even if the object ball unintentionally contacts another ball or a cushion prior to going into the pocket. As a general rule, bank shots and combination shots should be called as they may not be obvious to one’s opponent. If an object ball goes into an unintended pocket, the ball stays in the pocket and the shooter’s turn is ended. Although the game of 9-ball is a “Slop” game, We require that the 9-ball be called in order to win a game. Otherwise, 9-ball will be played according to the Rules of the USAPL and the BCAPL.
Legal shot For a shot to be legal, the cue ball must first strike a legal ball (as determined by the game being played) and, after contact:
All shots are call Pocket shots 16 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
1. A ball must be pocketed, or
Jump shots and Masses
2. Any object ball or the cue ball must strike a cushion.
Jump shots and jump cues are permitted unless otherwise prohibited by the “house rules” of the host establishment. All jump shots must be legal by striking down on the cue ball. “Scooping” the cue ball is illegal and will result in a foul.
Coaching 1. Players in the MASTER DIVISIONS will have one time out per match. 2. Any player that has not yet played three matches and established a skill level rating may have two time outs per rack. 3. Players with a skill level of 35 and below may have two time outs per rack 4. Players with a skill level of 36-59 may have one time out per rack 5. Players with a skill level rating of 60 and above may have a total of three time outs per match Time outs should not exceed 60 seconds. A time out may be called by the shooter or anyone on the shooter’s team roster and it must be acknowledged by the shooter’s opponent. Once a time out is called, the shooter will name the member of his/ her team to act as coach and only that coach may confer with the shooter. No other player may offer advice to the shooter or to the coach. The coach may point to and touch the table but may not mark the table or the rail in any way and must not touch the cue ball or an object ball. The coach must leave the table area before the shot is made.
Safeties A safety must be called by the shooter prior to making the shot. If a safety is called in 8-ball and a legal object ball falls into a pocket during the safety, the object ball stays in the pocket and the shooter’s turn is ended. If a safety is called in 10-ball and an object ball falls into a pocket then the shooter’s opponent has the option of returning the shot to the shooter or taking the shot him or herself. Calling a safety in 9-ball (except when shooting the 9 ball) has no effect on the validity of the shot. It affects only the determination of the shot as a “missed shot”.
Split hits A split hit occurs when the cue ball strikes both a legal and an illegal object ball at the same time. If the referee (or the shooter in the absence of a referee) can not tell which ball is struck first, it is a legal hit.
Unsportsmanlike conduct The USA Pool League (USAPL) has been designed to provide every player the utmost fun and excitement from their pool league experience. By using the proven “Fairplay” handicap system, the league provides an even playing field for all players. Weekly competition between players of diverse skill levels is fun and fair as they compete for cash, prizes, and a chance to play in post-season events culminating in an exciting National Championship Tournament. Inappropriate and unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. This behavior includes, but is not limited to actions that are embarrassing, disruptive, or detrimental to other players, spectators, officials, referees or the sport in general. Players may be penalized for such behavior with or without warning. Penalties may include a warning, loss of game, loss of match, suspension from league play or disqualification from future league play.
Ball in hand fouls If a player commits a foul, his/her opponent will begin their turn with ball in hand anywhere on the table. The following acts are ball in hand fouls:
1. Failure to complete a legal hit. 2. Violation of the rules on coaching. 3. Scratching with the cue ball. This includes not only the situation where the cue ball falls into a pocket, but also when the player accidentally
Off The Break Magazine | 17
18 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
Off The Break Magazine | 19
touches or moves the cue ball other than with the tip of the cue in a stroking motion or when the player touches an object ball with his/her hand and is also holding the cue ball. 4. It is a foul if you cause any ball to be jumped off the table. 5. It is a foul if you strike the cue ball more than once with the cue. This is known as a double hit and commonly occurs when the cue ball and target object ball are very close together or touching each other. 6. It is a foul if the player shoots while any balls are still in motion from the previous shot. A spinning ball is a ball in motion. 7. It is a foul if the shooter or his/her coach marks the table or rail in any way to aid in the execution of the shot. This includes placing chaulk on the rail to provide an aiming target for the shooter. 8. It a foul if the shooter disturbs more than one object ball or a disturbed object ball touches any other ball. The opponent does not have the option to restore the balls to the previously undisturbed position.
Disturbed object ball It is not a foul if the shooter accidentally touches or disturbs a single object ball with any part of the body, clothing or equipment (Unless the shooter is holding the cue ball, in a ball in hand situation, or the object ball touches another ball after being disturbed). The opponent has the option of leaving the disturbed object ball where it is or restoring it to its previous undisturbed position.
Calling a foul A foul may only be called by a player playing in a game or a referee (BCAPL Rule 1-23). In Higher Level play (Playoffs and in Nationals) a violation of this rule is itself a foul. See BCAPL rule 1-41. However, during normal weekly league play, a foul called by someone other than a player playing in a game or a referee may result in a Sportsmanship Violation.
20 | Off The Break Magazine
Repeated intentional violations may result in sanctions including, but not limited to loss of a rack or a match.
Rules suspended or modified for weekly league play The USA Pool League is, above everything else, a recreational league. While there are plenty of opportunities to compete on the local, regional and national level, the primary purpose of the league is to create an atmosphere of fun and fellowship. In that spirit, there are some rules which, while perhaps appropriate for a regional or national tournament, will be modified or suspended during normal weekly league play. The following rules will be so modified:
BCAPL rule 1.3 makes it a ball in hand foul for any player to use a cell phone, electronic devise or earpieces of any kind. The purpose of this rule is to avoid unauthorized communication, and presumably coaching, between the player and his or her teammates. This rule is suspended for weekly league play. However, use of a cell phone or electronic device by a player during a match which delays a match could be considered a sportsmanship violation. BCAPL rule 1.8 makes it a ball in hand foul if the player or any of his or her teammate’s practice while a match is in progress. This rule is suspended for weekly league play. Members of a team who are not involved in a match are encouraged to practice and enjoy the evening. Players who are involved in an active match may be committing a sportsmanship violation if their actions unreasonably delay the match.
Eastern New England USAPL
Off The Break Magazine | 21
Weekly Dues and Score Sheets Captains of each team are responsible to collect the weekly dues from the players and to send those dues to the League. Score sheets and dues should be forwarded to the league as soon as possible after the match is played. Team standings and individual handicaps cannot be updated unless the score sheets are received in a timely manner: 1. Score sheets may be sent in by US Mail, Fax or e-mail. Score sheets sent in by US Mail should be mailed no later than the day following the day the match was played. 2. Weekly team dues must be received prior to the next weeks scheduled matches. 3. eams that send in both score sheets and dues within the stated time frame will receive 100 bonus points. Teams will not receive the 100 point bonus if their dues are received after the divisions next scheduled week of matches.
must be pocketed or at least four object balls must contact a cushion.
1. If the shooter fails to pocket a ball or to drive four balls to a cushion then the opponent may: Rerack and take the break for him or herself or require the original shooter to rerack and rebreak. 2. If the original shooter, on the break, hits four balls to a cushion or pockets a ball but scratches or commits a another foul, then the opponent receives a ball in hand and any pocketed balls remain pocketed. 3. In all cases on the break, balls jumped off the table, other than the 8-ball, are not returned to the table except in the event of a re-rack.
8-ball on the break
8-Ball Rules
Pocketing the 8-ball on the break does not win the game. Conversely pocketing the 8-ball on the break and scratching is not a loss of game. If the shooter, on the break, pockets the 8-ball, he/she has the option of either spotting the 8-ball and continuing with the their turn or re-racking the balls and breaking again. If the shooter pockets the 8-ball on the break and commits a foul then the opponent has the option of either having the 8-ball spotted and taking a ball in hand or re-racking and taking the break.
The rack
Table open after break
The rack should be placed so that the apex ball rests on the foot spot. The 8-ball must be placed in the middle of the triangle and the remaining balls should be placed randomly except that that the ball at each rear corner of the rack must be from a different group (stripes or solids) from the ball located at the opposite corner.
The table is always open after the break even if the shooter pockets one or more balls. Groups are established when the shooter pockets a ball of one category on a shot after the break.
4. Teams must be up to date on all weekly dues to qualify for playoffs, wild card selection or any higher level tournament.
Break requirements The incoming breaker/shooter must place the cue ball behind the head string. There is no requirement to call a ball on the break or to strike any particular ball first. For a legal break to occur an object ball
22 | Off The Break Magazine
Loss of game It is a loss of game when: • The 8-ball is illegally pocketed, i.e.- the shooter calls a safety but sinks the 8-ball, the 8-ball is pocketed before all the balls in the players category, the shooter pockets the 8-ball on a shot that is not obvious and did not call the shot.
Eastern New England USAPL
• The 8-ball is jumped off the table, except on the break.
and the opponent comes to the table with a ball in hand.
• The 8-ball is pocketed and the shooter disturbs the cue ball, disturbs a ball in motion, disturbs more than one object ball or the disturbed object ball strikes another ball.
Push out
• The shooter scratches on the 8-ball only if the 8-ball is pocketed as well as the cue ball. If the shooter scratches on the 8-ball but the 8-ball is not pocketed the inning ends and the opponent comes to the table with a ball in hand.
9-Ball Rules The rack The 1-ball must be placed at the apex of the triangle and on the foot spot. The 9-ball must be placed in the center of the rack. All other balls are placed at random.
Break requirements The shooter must place the cue ball behind the head string. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball first. After striking the 1-ball an object ball must be pocketed or at least four balls must strike a cushion. If the shooter fails to hit the 1-ball first or does not pocket a ball or does not cause at least 4-balls to strike a cushion, then the balls must be re racked. The opponent has the option of taking the break or having the shooter break again.
If no foul occurs on the break then the player taking the first shot after the break has the option to “Push”. On a push out: 1. The shooter must first announce to the opponent that a push out is being shot and the opponent must acknowledge the announcement. 2. The cue ball does not have to strike the lowest numbered object ball first or any object ball at all. The cue ball also is not required to hit a cushion or to cause any ball to strike a cushion. 3. All other rules and fouls apply. 4. After a push shot is taken, the opponent has the option of accepting the table position and shooting or requiring the original shooter to shoot again with the table in its current position.
Three foul rule A rack may be won if the player’s opponent commits three consecutive fouls and the opponent is advised, prior to making the third foul, that he/ she has just committed two consecutive fouls. If the shooter commits three consecutive fouls, after receiving a warning prior to the third foul, then the rack ends and the game points are awarded to the opponent. Please remember that a scratch or a foul on the break counts as “one” foul for purposes of the three foul rule.
Jumped balls Balls that are caused to be jumped off the table are not returned to the table, except for the 9-ball. If the 9-ball is jumped off the table it is returned and spotted.
10-Ball Rules
9-ball on the break
Racking
Legally pocketing the 9-ball on the break does not win the rack. The 9-ball is spotted. The shooter will continue his/her turn even if the 9-ball is the only ball pocketed. If the 9-ball is pocketed on the break and a foul is committed, then the 9-ball is spotted
The 10-ball rack appears in a triangle shape, using balls numbered 1-10. It is racked like an 8-ball rack without the last row of five balls. The One-ball is placed at the apex of the triangle on the foot spot. The 10-ball is placed in the middle and the 2-ball and
10-Ball rules are exactly the same as 9-ball except for the following:
Off The Break Magazine | 23
the 3-ball are placed in the corners at the base of the triangle. The 2-ball and the 3-ball may be placed in either of the corners.
10-ball is a call pocket game Please refer to the General Rule Summary at the beginning of this document for the definition of “Call Pocket”. Any ball not legally pocketed is a “Dead Ball” and no point is awarded to the shooter.
Illegally pocketed ball In the event that a ball is pocketed illegally then the shooter’s opponent has the option of taking the shot or retuning it to the original shooter. In the event that a ball is pocketed illegally and there is also a foul committed by the shooter then the opponent must take the shot (with a ball in hand) and does not have the option of returning the shot to the original shooter.
Safety If the shooter calls a safety and then pockets a ball, the Illegally pocketed ball rule above applies.
Division Playoffs To qualify for end of the session playoffs, a player must meet the following criteria:
A player should have an established skill level A player is considered to have an established skill level after having played six (6) times in the USA Pool League in the game being played in the playoffs. For instance, a player must have played at least 6 times in 8-ball if it is a 8-ball playoff. The purpose of this rule is simply to attempt to have players play with a skill level that at least approaches an accurate rating.
Minimum team play A player must have played at least four (4) times on a team to be allowed to play on that team during the playoff tournament. Because a player may “Sub” on more than one team during the session, this rule is meant to assure that a player is really
24 | Off The Break Magazine
“Part” of the playoff team.
Vegas National Tournament Requirements “Go to Vegas” tournaments A team may qualify to compete in the New England USAPL “Go to Vegas” tournament in either the Summer, Fall or Spring Sessions. However, the qualifying team will Play in the “Go to Vegas” Tournament using its Spring Roster.
Spring Roster There must be at least three “Original” members of the qualifying team on the spring roster to qualify to play in the Vegas tournament.
Vegas Winning Team In the event a team wins a trip to Play in Las Vegas for the USAPL Nationals, It may supplement its roster (up to the predetermined team limit) by adding up to two players, from any team, in its respective division. However, a team may not intentionally exclude any member of its own spring roster team who is available and willing to attend the National Competition. Only in the event that a team member is unable or unwilling to attend, may the team supplement their roster from elsewhere in the division.
USAPL National Play Requirements In order to compete in the USAPL National Vegas Competition, a player must have played either eight (8) matches, in the appropriate game format, in the same division and in the same session. At least three players on the team must be “original” members of that team. Those three players must qualify in the same session and the same team to be considered original team members. The National tournament is held in July and the league year runs from June 1st to May 31st of each year.
Eastern New England USAPL
How can your shooting game go wrong? When your shooting game goes off-line and your shooting results begin to deviate from your intentions, something gets out of kilter – usually your fundamentals. The problem is – how long does it take before you notice that something is wrong and take corrective action? Generally, by the time you do wake up, the game count is tough. You might recover – but the struggle to win becomes a low probability proposition. This article identifies some of the most common situations that create a handicap you could do without. If you can train yourself to recognize when one of these situations occurs, you can more quickly take corrective action. Here are the common problems.
Suddenly Stupid You make an intelligent shooting decision and get down on the shot. Suddenly, with no conscious intention, the cue ball is moving. Shocked, you watch the table layout change – usually for the worse. Probably, your hind brain took over, or your evil twin surfaced and used this opportunity to mess you up. At the wrong moment in time, your intelligence and sanity jointly agree to go on holiday. This can be costly in a money competition. Of course, your opponent could be so surprised that he couldn’t take advantage of the momentary disintegration of your focus. When it does happen, all you can do is shake your head in disbelief as your opponent takes over the table. This generally happens because your brain was multi-tasking while shooting. In other words, you weren’t focusing on the game in general and the shot in specific. Don’t obsess about it (which can further distract you). You can recover if you can immediately go back to your pre-shot routine and start manually performing each step.
Casual Laziness You begin the competition with all necessary awareness and intentions. Your first few dozen shots are all perfect examples of focus and attention. Your very success and the pride you feel in making the cue ball do what you want becomes your downfall. You relax your intentions (or drink one too many beers). The initial success goes to your head and you (incorrectly) assume you are at the top of your game. After all, recent
Off The Break Magazine | 25
history has proven your unstoppable skills. Arrogant trust in your competence becomes your new attitude. For an observant opponent, the next few missed shots demonstrate a weakness in your game. He starts saying things like, “So close” and “You almost had that”. You go along with the idea and agree that the misses are simple bad billiard god luck. He snaps up several quick wins. Here are more ways to mess up your shooting game.
Bumbling Imagination This is another way to help your opponent win. All that is needed is an uncontrollable imagination. It occurs most often when you are doing your practice strokes. An alternative option bursts upon your consciousness. Instead of stomping on the idea or getting up to reconsider playing options, you change your bridge height and position and go for the new shot. You look at the table results and aren’t even ashamed of yourself. Your opponent loves you and considers congratulating you on your decreased skills.
Body Distractions Another reason to justify reduced attention on the game is bodily interference. There is a close correlation between the operational condition of the body and the ability of the brain to function. Your body has many ways to interrupt your attention. Among these are hunger pangs, headaches, an injury, or excessive flatulence. Your body can also run out of energy. This physical weakness causes the brain to stop functioning properly. This can result from poor nutrition, weak muscle tone, or even limited stamina. Any of these reduce your shooting and playing abilities.
Competitive Distractions This is a self-inflicted problem. For some reason, your mind doesn’t want to concentrate on the game. Any kind of influence in the area demands attention. This can be environmental – music, conversation, an attractive person of the opposite (or same) sex, and others. Even sounds that previously never affected you – affect you, such as clinking ice cubes in a glass. Itemizing the many distractions would be too many to list here. Basically, your brain will seize upon anything to justify your lack of focus and screw up your game.
Outside Distractions There are times when personal problems aggressively intrude into your game. Instead of being able to use the Green Game to take a break from your worries, you carry them right along with you. They keep you company as you attempt to be competitive. If your opponent notices this, he can ensure victory by simply slowing down his routine – extending the time that you are waiting (and worrying). Either put your head into the game or go home.
26 | Off The Break Magazine
Eastern New England USAPL
UPCOMING EVENTS New Hampshire Junior State 9-Ball Championships Saturday, April 11 at 10:00am Legends Billiards & Tavern in Portsmouth, New Hampshire https://www.facebook.com/events/339933656199739/
Rhode Island Junior State 9-ball Championship Saturday, April 18 at 11:00am Snookers RI in Providence, Rhode Island https://www.facebook.com/events/1418575758444061/
CSI is proud to announce that the 2015 New England Regional 8-Ball Championships to be held May 29th - 31st at The Boston Billiard Club in Nashua, NH. This event is for all active USAPL and BCAPL members in addition to CSI Associate Members. Players may sign up on site for a CSI Associate Membership, however they will have to play as an “Advanced” player or higher depending on their “known ability”. There will be 3 events including Jack & Jill Scotch Doubles, Men’s Singles, and Women’s Singles. On site entries will be taken if the fields are not full. All onsite entries will have a $10 late fee. Register on line by logging onto www.playcsipool.com/2015-new-england-regional.html
Off The Break Magazine | 27