The Elbow Rule

How far over the table may a shooter lean? What happens when their elbow crosses the edge?

The Commission reviewed shooters who lean, shooters who lunge, and one shooter who placed a knee on the table and described it as a stance. It found that every table agrees there must be a limit, and that every table puts it in a different place.

The elbow is the only part of the body that every player has, that every opponent can see, and that cannot be moved independently of the shot.

After review, the ruling on the field is as follows. A shooter's elbow must stay behind the edge of the table until the ball is released. Every other part of the shooter, including their wrist, hand, head, chest and ambition, may cross the edge.

A shot taken with the elbow over the table does not count. If it sank a cup, the cup is returned.

The defending team must call the violation before the cup is removed. An elbow violation called after the cup is gone is an appeal, and it is denied.

The ruling stands.

The Official taps their own elbow twice.