In snooker, the position of the cue ball can create situations where normal shot requirements are adjusted.
One such situation occurs when the cue ball is already in contact with another ball before a shot is played.
The touching ball rule clarifies what the striker must do when the cue ball is touching a ball on the table at the moment the referee calls the shot.
What is a touching ball?
A touching ball occurs when the cue ball is physically touching another ball before a shot is played.
This is determined by the referee, who will call “touching ball” if the cue ball is in contact with one or more balls. The call is made before the striker plays the shot.
The rule exists to prevent a player from gaining an advantage by pushing or driving a ball that is already in contact with the cue ball.
When the touching ball rule applies
The rule applies when:
- The cue ball is touching a ball
- The referee has identified and announced the touching ball
If the touching ball is a legal ball on, the striker must play away from it without causing it to move.
If the touching ball is not a legal ball on, the striker must still play a legal shot, and any movement of the touching ball results in a foul.
What the striker must do
When the cue ball is touching a legal ball on:
- The striker must play away from the touching ball
- The touching ball must not move as a result of the shot
- No forward motion into the touching ball is permitted
If the referee is satisfied that the cue ball was played away cleanly, the shot is legal even though contact already existed.
Multiple touching balls
It is possible for the cue ball to be touching more than one ball.
In such cases:
- The referee will identify which ball or balls are touching
- If at least one touching ball is a legal ball on, the striker may play away
- Any movement of a touching ball caused by the stroke results in a foul
The striker is responsible for avoiding contact with all identified touching balls.
Fouls involving a touching ball
A foul is called if:
- The striker causes the touching ball to move
- The striker fails to play away from the touching ball when it is a legal ball on
- The striker plays an illegal ball when the touching ball is not on
- The striker fails to correctly nominate the intended ball on when required
Standard foul penalties apply based on the value of the ball involved.
Common misunderstandings
The striker must hit the touching ball
When a touching ball is called and it is a legal ball on, the striker must play away, not strike it.
The touching ball can move slightly
Any movement of a touching ball caused by the shot is a foul.
The referee always calls touching ball
The call is only made if the referee determines the balls are in contact.