Push Shot - Billiard Term Definition
Welcome to the billiard, pool, and snooker glossary of terms. This is the definition of Push Shot as it relates to cue sports. You can also view the entire billiard dictionary
Definition of Push Shot
Push Shot is a billiards term that is a part of Billiard Technique Terminology.
A push shot is a shot where the player's cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball for a period of time that is greater than just the moment commensurate with a normal shot. This constitutes a foul. The APA Official Team Manual (pp. 101) defines a push shot as:
A push shot involves a situation where the cue ball is frozen to the object ball. The problem faced by the shooter is to keep from pushing or keeping the tip of the cue on the cue ball. It looks bad and generally thought of as illegal. Push shots are controversial. Push shots will not be called in this amateur League. Even the professional players cannot agree about what is and isn't a push shot. In general, you can lessen your chances of being accused of shooting a push shot by hitting the cue ball into the object ball at an angle, or by elevating the butt of your cue about 30 degrees. This automatically cuts down the length of the follow through which is the principal cause of a push shot. Players who repeatedly guide the cue ball with force through object balls that are frozen to the cue ball, using a level cue and long follow through, may be subject to a sportsmanship penalty. The key phrase here is: THE CUE BALL IS FROZEN TO THE OBJECT BALL vs. a double hit, which occurs when the cue ball is nearly frozen to the object ball.
A push shot in snooker occurs when the cue tip contacts the cue ball more than one time in any shot. This is also known as (but is slightly different than) a double hit.
In snooker it is also a push shot if the cue stick, the cue ball, and the ball on are all in contact at the same time. The exception to this rule is when the cue ball and the ball on are frozen together. In these situations, special dispensation is given when the player strikes the cue ball in a downward of off angle manner.
See: push, double hit for more on the meaning of "Push Shot".
Push Shot - Usage
Who is the best person to teach me how to avoid the push shot?
Billiards - Push Shot
- Title: Push Shot
- Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
- Published: 1/9/2008 9:22:28 PM
- Last Updated: 10/26/2016 12:04:19 PM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum
Push Shot Comments
Marilyn from Athens, TN on 3/24/2010 6:35:23 AM
I'm told that a push shot is when the cue ball follows the object ball after hitting it.
I'm told you have to snap hit the ball so it doesn't follow.
Can you clear this up for me?
billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 10/26/2011 12:22:55 PM@Marilyn - You are not quite correct. See the updated definition of push shot above for clarification.
Submit New Billiard Term or Suggest a Correction
You can suggest a new billiard term and it's definition here. If you are suggesting a correction for an existing term, enter the entire definition as with your corrections incorporated.
