Glossary Of Shot Terms
Angled | When the position of the cue ball is behind the corner of a pocket preventing the cue ball from directly contacting an object ball.
Angle Shot | The cue ball driving the object ball at angle rather than straight.
Bank | When the object ball is driven to one or more cushions before it is pocketed.
Breaking Violation | Violating the specific game rules of the opening break of specific games.
Carom | When the cue ball glances or bounces off one object ball into another.
Combination | When the cue ball contacts an object ball to contact another object ball to be pocketed.
Combination On | When two object balls are positioned in line to pocket an object ball with a combination shot.
Consecutive Fouls | Fouls made on consecutive innings or strokes by the same player.
Contact Point | The precise point of contact when the cue ball strikes the object ball.
Corner Hooked | When the position of the cue ball is behind the corner of a pocket preventing the cue ball from directly contacting an object ball.
Count | A successful shot that scores.
Cross Corner | Used to call the pocket when banking an object ball off of one cushion into the corner pocket.
Cross Side | Used to call the pocket when banking an object ball off of one cushion into the side pocket.
Cut | The cue ball driving the object ball at angle other than straight.
Defense | Positioning the cue ball and/or object balls to minimize the opponent's chances of scoring.
Dead Ball | The cue ball stroked to transfer all or most of the speed or English of the cue ball to the object balls so the cue ball retains little to no motion after contact.
Draw | Spin applied to the cue ball by striking below center. The result is back spin, causing the cue ball to create a path below the tangent line and often returning back to the player after contact with an object ball.
Double Hit | When the cue ball is struck twice by the cue tip on the same stroke.
English | Spin applied to the cue ball by striking it on the left or right. The result is used to alter the natural roll of the cue ball and/or the object ball.
Feather | A shot in which the cue ball glances off of the object ball to slowly roll the object ball.
Follow | Spin applied to the cue ball by striking it above center applying forward spin causing the cue ball to roll forward after contact with an object ball.
Follow Through | The cue movement through the area previously occupied by the cue ball after striking the cue ball.
Force | The power applied when striking the cue ball to alter the angle and action of the ball.
Force Draw | Applying draw to the cue ball with more force to result in extreme draw.
Force Follow | Spin applied to the cue ball by striking it above center applying extreme forward spin causing the cue ball to hesitate and propel forward upon contact with an object ball.
Foul | A rule infraction of the specific game rules resulting in a penalty.
Foul Stroke | The stroke on which a foul is committed.
Free Break | An opening break which is not risky nor penalized by scattering the object balls.
Frozen | A ball at rest that is touching another ball or cushion.
Full Ball | Contact with the center of the cue ball with the exact center of an object ball.
Hold | English applied to stop the cue ball from continuing the natural course after contacting the object ball or cushion.
Jump | To cause a cue ball or object ball to rise off of the bed of the table.
Jumped Ball | A ball which leaves the bed of the table.
Kick | Driving the cue ball into a cushion before contacting an object ball.
Kiss out | Unintentional contact between balls causing the shot to fail.
Leave | The position of the balls after a shot has been executed.
Long | A ball traveling a path with wider angles due to English and speed.
Masse | Applying extreme English to the cue ball and elevating the cue butt at an extreme angle causing the cue ball to take a curved path.
Miscue | A stroke resulting in faulty contact between the cue tip and cue ball causing the tip to slide off of the cue ball which creates a "snapping" or "cracking" sound.
Miss | Failure to execute and complete a shot.
Natural English | Favoring the direction of the cue ball path by applying English to give the cue ball more speed than applying no English.
Natural Roll | The cue ball's path with natural English applied.
Nip Draw | Applying a short, sharp draw stroke.
Opening Break | The first shot of a game to scatter the object balls when racked.
Position | Placing the cue ball for the next shot when completing a shot.
Power Draw | Applying draw to the cue ball with more force to result in extreme draw.
Power Follow | Spin applied to the cue ball by striking it above center applying extreme forward spin causing the cue ball to hesitate and then propel forward upon contact with an object ball.
Push | Lengthy contact between the cue tip and cue ball resulting in an illegal stroke.
Reverse English | English applied to the cue ball which favors the opposite direction of the cue ball's natural path.
Running English | English applied to the cue ball to cause a narrow angle and more speed when rebounding from an object ball or cushion.
Safety | Positioning the cue ball and/or object balls to minimize the opponent's chances of scoring.
Scratch | The cue ball going into a pocket when a shot is executed; usually ending the players turn.
Shot | The action from fundamentally positioning, contacting the cue ball with a cue, the cue ball contacting object ball(s) and ending when all balls are at rest.
Short | A ball traveling a path with narrow angles due to English and speed.
Split Hit | When the cue ball contacts two object balls simultaneously or nearly simultaneously.
Spot Shot | Shooting an object ball which is resting on the foot spot from behind the head string.
Spotting | Replacing object balls to the table in the position specified by the game rules.
Stop | The cue ball immediately coming to a rest upon contacting an object ball.
Successive Fouls | Fouls made on consecutive innings or strokes by the same player.
Table in Position | Refers to the cue ball and object balls resting position after a shot is completed.
Time Shot | Moving an object ball into a different position and contacting the object ball to score.
Throw | When English or speed alters the path of the object ball.
