• The league shall be called the Ibstock & District Pool League.
• All league matches to be played on Thursday nights.
• If any team does not have a player to start at 8.30pm, the opposing side may claim the first frame.  Further frames may be claimed at ten minute intervals 8:40, 8:50 etc.  Once a match has started it must be continuous.
• Alternate referees (away team first).
• Match fees to be paid by the home team.
• Players must only register for one team in the league.  Any player signing for two teams may be suspended until a £10 fee is paid.  The fine must be paid to the Ibstock & District Pool League.
• Registration fees are as follows: Team registration £25, Player registration £1 per player, Singles Knockout £2 per player, Doubles Knockout £4 per pair.  All fees must be paid by the date requested on the registration forms.
• Matches to consist of five singles and two doubles frames.
• The league will pay for semi-finals and Finals match costs.  Referees to receive £5 expenses per fixture.
• If any team has not paid their registration fees by the requested date, they will incur a £5 surcharge and may not be considered for the forthcoming season.
• All results cards must reach the designated collection point (either delivered by hand or posted) by the first Monday after the match before 8.30pm.  Cards may be sent, providing they are sent 1st class on the Friday after the game.  It is the WINNING TEAM’S responsibility to ensure cards are received on time.
• If a card is received late, 4 points will be deducted from the winning side.
• If any match has to be cancelled, the following rule must be followed:

• Players must not be transferred to other teams if they have already played for their original team.
• Teams may register new players throughout the course of the season.
• Committee meetings will normally be held on the 4th Tuesday at the designated pub, starting at 8.30pm.  All teams to be represented at meetings when requested.  2 points will be deducted for non-attendance at meetings where teams presence is requested.  Non-attendance at AGM will result in a 10 point fine.  Committee meetings will be held at various venues throughout the season as detailed on the Diary Sheet.
• Only the players contesting the frame plus the referee may approach the table during play.
• Coaching must not be given during a frame, (except between doubles partners before addressing the cue ball).  The penalty for this will be two shots to the opposing player.
• Any team found to have played an unregistered player may be eliminated from the league.

• Whilst a frame is in progress, the referee must ensure that the player is not impeded during play.
• Any team wishing to register a new player must write the name of the player and the team they are signing for, and tape the fee on the back of a result card.  Chairman to be notified by the Tuesday prior to the match (telephone Neil on 01455 291927).
• The league shall consist of two divisions provided there are a minimum of 14 teams registered.
• Names may be entered on result card one at a time (home team first) unless the match is a Cup semi or final.  In this case, all five singles and both doubles must be listed before match commences.
• The scoring will be as follows: 3 points for a win + 1 point for each leg won.
• The committee has the right to refuse entry to the league both for individual players and teams. A committee member, to ensure suitability of the table and playing area may visit any team registering for the league.
• When a player is down to potting the black it remains the player’s responsibility to nominate a pocket, failure to do so will result in loss of frame.
• If the black is potted in any other pocket than the one nominated, then it will be game away.
• No player may register with the Ibstock and District Pool League if they have already signed for a team in another league that plays on a Thursday night.
• The black must be placed on the spot nearest to the bottom cushion when the balls are racked at the beginning of a frame.
• After a foul shot, the oncoming player after consulting the referee may place the white anywhere in the “D” and continue with their two shots.
• Winners of knockout competitions must submit results by the date specified on the draw sheet, otherwise they face the possibility of elimination. It is usual to put the result on the back of a result card.
• When a player has 2 shots on the black they may play a ball onto the black in order to pot it, and provided they have nominated the pocket may also in the same shot pot their opponent’s ball. This rule also applies if they choose to play the black onto the opponents’ ball to clear a pocket.
• The referee must remain standing throughout the frame, so that they can clearly view any eventuality.
• Any team that wins a major cup or shield must return it in the condition that they received it.  If they fail to do this, they will not be allowed to register for the forthcoming season, or any season thereafter, unless they are prepared to pay for any damage caused.
• Push shots are allowed in the Ibstock & District Pool League.  (Refer to General Rules 8(a).)

• If the white is potted off the break, the oncoming player must nominate a group of balls on the second shot of the first visit.  This rule also applies in all of the following:

• Referees should clearly make a player aware of where they stand during the 2 shot rule, i.e. first visit, second visit, visit over.
• Teams must have at least FOUR players on the night to play.
• All Knockout games to be played by the date specified on the sheet.  If games cannot be re-arranged before the specified date then they must be played on the day.
• Players in singles and doubles knockout matches must arrive at the venue by 9.00pm at the latest, failure to do so puts the player(s) in default.
• Once a frame has started the players contesting the frame may only leave the area with the referees permission.
• Finals night matches must be played on the nights published on the Diary Sheet at the start of the season.  No excuses i.e. Holidays etc. will be accepted.  Any player unable to make the Finals nights will be eliminated.
• All players should be aware and pay particular attention to Rule No. 1 of the General Rules and play the game in a sportsmanlike manner.
• Teams are responsible for the behaviour of their players and any complaints of un-gentlemanly conduct that are upheld by the Committee will result in a 5 point fine and possible suspension of the player(s).
• ALL fixtures to be played.  Any overdue games should be played within two weeks of the original date.  Ideally matches should be arranged before the date on the fixture sheet.  Please notify the Chairman (Neil on 01455 291927) if any games are re-arranged, otherwise a penalty for a late card may be enforced.  Games may be re-arranged with 48 hours notice with no penalty, less than 48 hours notice will incur a 5-point penalty.  Less than 24 hours notice will incur a 5-point penalty plus a £5 fine (this fine will be added to the following season’s entry fees). Three dates should be supplied by the OPPOSING team to the DEFAULTING team, the opposing team to have the final say on the DATE and VENUE of the re-arranged fixture.  If no agreement can be reached, the Committee will decide when and where the game will take place.  Under no circumstances should games be played after the season has ended.  Any team who continually fails to fulfil their fixtures may be excluded from the league. (Subject to the Committee’s decision.)
• In the event of any team dropping out of OR being excluded from the league all points for and against will be void.
• The league will supply trophies to an agreed budget i.e. Division Runners-Up total budget £70 – 7 trophies @ £10 OR 10 trophies @ £7 etc.  Cash prizes can be awarded and will be equivalent to the cost of trophies.

GENERAL RULES

• The Game

• Requirements of the game

• Object of the game

• Commencement of the game (or restart)

• The balls are racked as illustrated (right), the 8-ball (black) on the 8-ball spot, which is at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets.
• Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin.  The winner of the flip has the option of breaking or requesting their opponent to do so.
• The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from the “D”.  An object ball must be pocketed or at least two object balls must hit any cushion.  Failure to do so is a foul, and will result in the balls being re-racked as in 4(a) and the opposing player then starts the game with two shots.
• If the 8-ball (black) is pocketed from the break shot, the balls will be re-racked and the game will be re-started by the same player.  No penalty will be incurred.  This applies even if other balls, including the cue ball are pocketed, or leave the playing surface (“off the table”).
• On the first occasion a player legally pockets an object ball, except following a foul, then that ball denotes their group, unless one or more of both groups are pocketed, the player must then nominate a group before play continues.
• If no object ball is pocketed from a legal break, then the players continue alternatively playing at either group until such time a legal pot is made, which decides the player’s group.
• If a foul is committed, (other than Rule 4(d)) and one or more object balls are pocketed before playing groups are decided, then those balls are ignored in determining the group to be played.  The oncoming player may play at any ball on the table including the 8-ball (black) for the first shot.

• If a ball, or balls, are legally pocketed, this entitles the player to one additional shot and this continues until the player either: fails to pocket one of their sets of allocated balls, or commits a foul at any time.
• Combination shots are allowed, providing that the player hits one of their own group first, or any ball with the first shot following a foul. (Rule 6(c)).

• Fouls
• In off (cue ball pocketed).
• Hitting opponent’s ball(s) with the cue ball on first impact of cue ball, except with first shot following any foul.
• Failing to hit any ball with the cue ball.
• Jump-shot – defined as when the cue ball jumps over any part of any ball before making contact with any ball.
• Hitting the 8-ball (black) with the cue ball on first impact of the cue ball before all of their own group are pocketed, except with the first shot following any foul.
• Potting any opponent’s ball, except with the first shot following any foul.
• Ball off the table.

• Object ball or 8-ball (black) - this shall be returned to the 8-ball spot (Rule 4(a)) or as near as possible to that spot without touching any other ball, in a direct line from the 8-ball spot to the centre of the “D”.
• Cue ball – shall be played from in hand (Rule 8(b)).
• If a player’s body or clothing touches any ball, except after the referee calls a foul when the player is entitled to the ball in hand (Rule 6(b).
• Player not having at least one foot on the floor.
• Playing or touching with the cue, any ball other than the cue ball.
• Striking the cue ball with any part of the cue other than the tip.
• Playing out of turn.
• Playing before balls have come to rest.
• Playing before any ball(s) have been re-spotted.
• Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once.
• Failing to nominate when balls of both groups are pocketed with the first legal pot.
• Foul break, cue ball potted or failing to drive at least two object balls to any cushion(s) (Rule 4(c)).

• Penalty following any foul
• Following any foul the offending player loses their next visit to the table, giving their opponent two consecutive visits to the table.
• If the cue ball has come to rest on the playing surface, then the player having two visits may proceed to play from where the cue ball lies, or the cue ball may be played from the “D”.  Moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot or a visit. (Players are advised to ask the referee to hand them the cue ball.)

• On the first shot only of the first visit, the oncoming player may, without nomination, play the cue ball onto any ball without penalty, (including any opponent’s balls or the 8-ball (black)).  If any object ball(s) is pocketed directly or by any combination, then the player is deemed to have pocketed a legal ball(s) and continues with the first visit.  However, the player must not pot the 8-ball (black), which would mean loss of game, except if the player was on the 8-ball (black), then the game would be won providing the player nominates a pocket.
• When the player fails to pot a ball on the first or subsequent shot of the first visit, play then continues with the second visit.  The second visit is deemed to have started when the cue ball is struck on the first shot of the second visit.

• Loss of game
• If a player pockets the 8-ball (black) before all the balls in their own group, except on the break (Rule 4(d)) the player looses the game.
• A player going in off the 8-ball (black) when the 8-ball (black) is pocketed looses the game.
• A player pocketing the 8-ball (black) and any other ball in the same shot will loose the game.  Except following a foul when only the 8-ball (black) and ball(s) of the opponent’s group are on the table, then with the first shot of the first visit, the player may legally pocket the 8-ball (black) as well as ball(s) of the opponent’s group by any combination and in any order providing the player nominates a pocket.
• The referee does not have the right to award frame away for what he considers to be a deliberate foul in the Ibstock & District Pool League.

• General
• Touching Ball
• Touching opponent’s ball or 8-ball (black), the player must play a ball of their own group except on the first shot following a foul, this entitles the player to play any ball.
• Touching any ball the player is legally entitled to play.  The player may choose either:
• Play away from the touching ball, and be deemed to have played the ball.  Should the cue ball fail to make contact with any ball or strike the opponent’s ball or the 8-ball (black), then the shot is fair, no foul.
• Play to move the touching ball, but great care should be taken not to contact the cue ball twice (Rule 5(o)).
• Cue ball in hand.

• Player in Control

penalties or benefits normally awarded for the pocketing of the ball(s).  However, once the cue ball has been struck, a legal shot must be completed, a ball falling in does not cancel out any foul.

• The game is completed when the 8-ball (black) is pocketed in any pocket and all the remaining balls have come to rest, except on the break (Rule 4(d)).
• The player must nominate a pocket for the 8-ball (black).  If the 8-ball (black) is potted in any other pocket than that nominated it is game away.

• Stalemate

• The term ‘shot’ means striking the cue ball once.
• The term ‘visit’ refers to one turn at the table comprising of one or a series of shots.
• The term ‘break’ refers to the first shot of any game being started or re-started.
• Coaching is deemed un-sportsmanlike behaviour see Rule 1 (except between doubles partners before addressing the cue ball).
• The term ‘addressing the cue ball’ refers to forming a bridge and lining up the cue ball with the cue in the normal manner.
• A referee may advise on the rules of the game only if requested.
• Following a foul before a legal ball is potted if the player pots a ball with the first shot of his first visit, then he must nominate the group of balls he wishes to play. If however he fails to pot on his first visit then it remains an open table and he may play any group without nomination Table remains open until the first legal ball is potted.