9-Ball Rules

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 option to move the ball(s) back to their original position. Pocketed balls stay down.
 

If the ball that is interfered with is the 9-ball and the 9-ball falls into a pocket, the 9-ball is to be re-spotted at the same spot in which the rack took place, immediately following the interference. 

Option #2:  The NAPA Standard 

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES AT ANY TIME DURING YOUR SHOT.  BEFORE OR AFTER YOU STROKE THE CUE BALL DOES NOT MATTER.

1. If the cue ball is accidentally moved at any time, this is a ball in hand foul.
    
2. If more than one ball is moved at any time, this is a ball in hand foul.
    
3. If only one object ball (any ball other than the cue ball) is accidentally moved, no foul has occurred unless one of the following occurs:​

   1. If the moved ball contacts another ball.

   2. The moved ball is pocketed.
      
      In the instance where only one object ball has been moved and no foul has occurred, the shooter must ask the opponent if they want the ball that was moved to be returned to its original position or left where it came to rest. Failure to do so is a ball in hand foul.
      
      If it is requested by the opponent that the moved ball be placed back to its original position the shooter must move the ball back to the original position.

      If the ball that is interfered with is the 9-ball and the 9-ball falls into a pocket, the 9-ball is to be re-spotted at the same spot in which the rack took place, immediately following the interference. 
       

4. ​If a moving ball is accidentally touched, moved, bumped or interfered with, it is a ball in hand foul.
    

5. 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)

 
1. Intentionally moving any ball, directly (picking up, pushing, touching, rolling, bumping, blowing on) or indirectly (such as hitting, pounding, bumping, stomping, slapping the table or floor that may cause a vibration and possibly altering an outcome), is a loss of rack (and poor sportsmanship).
 
2. If there was outside interference or act of God:

2.1 If you can restore the table and the 9-ball was not pocketed – Balls shall be replaced as near as possible to their original positions immediately prior to the incident and play shall resume with no penalty on the shooter affected.
 

2.2 If you cannot restore the table or the 9-ball was pocketed – Shooters shall replay the game with the original shooter breaking. 

When a shooter commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and no balls pocketed on the foul shot are re-spotted (exception: if a pocketed ball is the 9-ball, it is to be placed on the spot). The incoming shooter is awarded ball in hand; he 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.

Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a ball in hand foul.

1. If a shooter is shooting at the 9-ball, fails to pocket the 9-ball and scratches, it is a foul.
2. If a shooter is shooting at the 9-ball, pockets the 9-ball and scratches, it is a foul and the 9-ball is to be placed on the spot. Incoming shooter has cue ball in hand.

An un-pocketed ball is considered to be 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 9-ball, it is to be 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 9-ball is to be placed directly behind the balls blocking the foot spot toward the foot cushion.

FOREIGN OBJECT: Causing any ball to be jumped off of the table, come into contact with any foreign object while off of the table, then lands back onto the playing surface is a foul. The incoming shooter has cue ball in hand. The table is to remain in its current position where the balls came to a final rest. If the 9-ball is pocketed during this foul it is a loss of game for the shooter.

If the first object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, it is a foul.

If, after the cue ball first strikes a legal ball, and neither the cue ball nor any other ball hits a cushion or is pocketed, it is a foul.

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 very clearly declared to both team captains and all participating shooters before the team match commences

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 while any ball is moving or spinning is a foul.

If the cue tip strikes the cue ball twice on the same stroke it is a foul.

The base of the cue ball must be inside the head string on the break.

Marking the table in any way, which could provide a shooter with an advantage in executing a shot and then executing a shot, is a ball in hand foul.

NOTE:
Placing of the cue chalk on the felted surface of the rail or partially on the felted surface of the rail, by the SHOOTER, a coach, any team player or any 3rd party and then executing a shot, is a ball in hand foul.

Placing of the cue chalk on the hard surface of the rail not the felt is not considered marking the table and is NOT a foul. 

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.

After a time clock (or watch) has been instituted, any violation of the allotted shot time, is a cue ball in hand foul. See rule “Time Allotment” under the section titled “General Rules”.

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.

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. See the image below.


Performing a downward stroke on the cue as demonstrated in the image below is also a legal shot if performed properly based on all other NAPA rules concerning jump shots, frozen ball shots, or masse shots.


Performing an upward motion from underneath the cue ball as displayed in the image below is not a legal stroke of the cue ball and is a ball in hand foul.


 Any illegal shot results in a ball in hand foul.

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.