Definitions & Diagrams

Definitions

These definitions apply throughout all CSI rules. Understanding the precise meaning of these terms is essential to understanding the rules themselves.

Above: The direction moving from any point on the table toward the head of the table. When referring to the head string, "above the head string" is also called "behind the head string," "behind the line," or "in the kitchen."
Administrative Authority: Persons or organizations, other than referees, responsible for the administration of CSI events. Includes the CSI National Office, officials of CSI-sanctioned associations, tournament directors, and persons they designate. Administrative authority concerns matters such as event organization, brackets, dress codes, eligibility, and prize distribution — not the conduct of play itself.
Apex: The position of the front ball of the rack.
Ball in Hand: When the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the bed of the table. Also referred to as "cue ball in hand."
Ball in Hand Behind the Head String: When the cue ball may be placed anywhere behind the head string on the bed of the table. Also referred to as "ball in hand behind the line." The head string itself is not included in the area behind the head string.
Ball in Play: A ball that, during a game, is on the bed of the table, in motion on or over the table, or falling into a pocket.
Bank Shot: A shot in which the called ball, before being pocketed, contacts one or more cushions attached to a rail not adjacent to the called pocket. Incidental contact with a cushion adjacent to the called pocket does not constitute a bank shot.
Bed of the Table: The cloth-covered playing surface within the cushions of the table. The cloth-covered tops of the cushions are not part of the bed.
Behind the Head String (The Kitchen): The area of the bed of the table between the head string and the head cushion. The head string itself is not included in this area.
Break Shot: The first shot of a game.
Call Shot Game: A game in which the specific game rules require the player, in advance of each shot, to designate the ball to be pocketed and the pocket into which it will be made. 8-Ball, 10-Ball, and 14.1 Continuous are call shot games.
Called Ball / Called Pocket: In a call shot game, the object ball the player designates to be pocketed, and the pocket the player designates for that ball.
Carom Shot: A shot in which the cue ball, before contacting the called ball, first contacts one or more other balls.
Combination Shot: 1. A shot in which the cue ball first contacts a ball other than the called ball, followed by that ball contacting the called ball. 2. A shot in which the called ball contacts a blocking ball that is then pocketed in the called pocket before the called ball.
Cue Ball: The ball that must be legally struck with the cue tip during a shot. Usually a predominantly white ball, sometimes marked with small circles, logos, or dots.
Diamonds: Inlays or markings on the rails used for references or target points.
Disturbed Ball: A ball that has been accidentally touched or moved by the player's body, clothing, or equipment.
Double Hit: 1. When the cue tip strikes the cue ball more than once on a single stroke. 2. When any part of the cue contacts the cue ball after the cue ball's initial contact with an object ball. A double hit is a foul.
Down on the Shot: Having settled completely into a shooting position with a bridge established and pre-shot practice strokes, if any, imminent or in progress.
Foot of Table / Foot Spot / Foot String: The end of the table at which the balls are racked. The foot spot is where the long string and the foot string intersect. The foot string is aligned between the second diamonds of the long rails as counted from the foot of the table.
Foul: Any violation of the rules of play as defined in the General Rules or specific game rules. Unless otherwise specified, the penalty for a foul is loss of inning and ball in hand for the opponent.
Frozen Ball: A ball that is touching another ball or a cushion. Loose strands or fibers of cloth extending from a cushion do not constitute a frozen ball. A ball is not considered frozen unless it is declared frozen immediately prior to the shot.
Head of Table / Head String / Head Spot: The end of the table from which the opening break and lag is performed. The head string is aligned between the second diamonds from the head of the table. The head spot is where the head string and long string intersect. The area behind the head string (the kitchen) does not include the head string itself.
Illegal Break: A break shot that does not meet the break requirements as defined by specific game rules.
Illegally Pocketed Ball: An object ball is illegally pocketed when: (a) a foul is committed on the shot; (b) in a call shot game, a called ball goes into a pocket other than the called pocket; (c) defined as illegally pocketed by specific game rules; or (d) in a call shot game, a non-obvious shot is not called.
Inning: A turn at the table by a player.
Jump Shot: Intentionally causing the cue ball, because of a downward stroke, to rebound off the bed of the table in order to jump the cue ball over an impeding ball.
Jumped Ball: A ball that comes to rest other than on the bed of the table or in a pocket, or that contacts any object not part of the table. A ball is not a jumped ball if it leaves the bed and returns without contacting anything that is not part of the table.
Kick Shot: A shot in which the cue ball, before contacting the called ball, contacts one or more cushions attached to a rail not adjacent to the called pocket.
Kiss Shot: A shot in which the called ball glances off another object ball before being pocketed.
Lag for Break: A procedure to determine which player breaks. Each player shoots a ball from behind the head string toward the foot cushion; the player whose ball comes to rest closest to the head cushion wins the lag.
Legal Shot: A shot that does not result in a foul. The first ball contacted by the cue ball must be a legal object ball, and after that contact, any object ball must be pocketed or any object ball or the cue ball must contact a cushion.
Legal Stroke: Forward motion of the cue resulting in the cue tip striking the cue ball for only the momentary time customarily associated with a normal shot. Any lifting, sideways, or brushing motion that propels the cue ball without a primarily forward stroke is a foul.
Massé Shot: 1. A shot in which extreme spin is applied to the cue ball by elevating the butt of the cue. 2. Any attempt to curve the cue ball around an impeding object ball, regardless of cue elevation or amount of curve.
Miscue: A stroke that unintentionally results in faulty cue tip contact with the cue ball, often accompanied by a sharp sound. A miscue is not automatically a foul.
Object Ball: A ball other than the cue ball.
Obvious Shot: A shot in which the non-shooting player has no doubt as to, or does not question, the ball and the pocket. The following are always defined as not obvious and must be called: bank shots, kick shots, combination shots, and shots involving non-incidental caroms or kisses.
Open Table: In 8-Ball: when groups have not yet been established. When the table is open, all object balls except the 8-ball are legal object balls.
Pocketed Ball: A ball that drops off the bed of the table into a pocket and remains there. A ball that rebounds from a pocket back onto the table is not a pocketed ball.
Push-out: In 9-Ball and 10-Ball: a shot, declared in advance and immediately following a legal break, in which the normal requirements for a legal shot do not apply. After a push-out, the opponent may accept the table or require the shooter to shoot again.
Push Shot: A shot in which the cue tip maintains contact with the cue ball longer than the momentary contact allowed for a legal stroke. A push shot is a foul.
Safety: A shot that, depending on specific game rules, may end a player's inning. Also referred to as "safe" or "just a shot." Safeties must be called verbally — gestures are not sufficient.
Scratch: 1. When the cue ball is pocketed on a shot. 2. When the cue ball touches any pocketed ball or obstruction in a pocket, regardless of whether the cue ball remains pocketed. A scratch is a foul.
Shot: All events related to the motion of the balls from the time the cue tip contacts the cue ball until all balls have come to rest.
Stroke: The motion of the cue from the time it begins its forward motion, through the time the cue tip strikes the cue ball, and any further follow-through motion of the cue.
Successive Fouls: Fouls committed on consecutive shots by the same player. Applies in 9-Ball, 10-Ball, 14.1 Continuous, and One Pocket. Three successive fouls results in loss of game in most formats.
Table in Position: The position of the balls on the table as they lie.