Notable changes to the Official Team Manual
League Years 2026/2027, 2027/2028, 2028/2029.
Time Guidelines, page 8
Added: A Ladies team match should take no more than 2.5 hours.
League Structure
League Organization, page 13
Removed:
– Juniors – Check your Local Bylaws.
– Under The Team: Juniors Divisions – Check your Local Bylaws.
Fees, page 17
– Added (in bold): Your membership must be current for you to eligible to participate in any APA League play or event.
– Added (in bold): APA and CPA members who join after August 15
– Added: NOTE 4: JPA members are not eligible for prorated dues
– Removed: Juniors – Annual membership dues are $10. The prorated renewal amount, if applicable, is $5.
Trophies and Awards, page 19
Replaced (in bold)
Each session, the Division Championship team members…
Each session, the Playoff winning team members…
Scoring, page 19
Removed: Junior Divisions – Check your Local Bylaws.
Local Bylaws, page 20
Added: Procedures for submitting weekly fees.
General Rules
2. Age Requirements, page 21
Replaced (in bold):
Teams with underage players may face penalties.
Teams with underage players will face penalties.
Removed: Junior Leagues, where available, are for members under the age of 18. There are no minimum age restrictions placed on Junior Leagues by APA; however, local bylaws or customs take precedence.
6. New Players, page 23
Replaced (in bold):
A player’s skill level is not considered established until they have 10 actual match scores in that format on their record. Penalties may be assessed at the discretion of Local League Management for starting a player of known ability as a new player.
A player’s skill level is not considered established until they have 10 League match scores in that format on their record. Penalties may be assessed at the discretion of Local League Management for starting a player of a higher ability as a new player.
16. Concerning Teams That Drop Out, Page 28
Added (in bold): A player who was on such a team, or who was on a team that ended the prior session with a past due balance, and who wishes to rejoin the League, must first pay their share (calculated by taking the total amount owed by the team that dropped and dividing it by the number of players on that team’s roster at the time the team dropped) before being reinstated.
14. Byes, page 26
Removed: Ladies 9-Ball and 3-Person 9-Ball Divisions – 40 points.
Removed: Junior Divisions – Check your Local Bylaws.
15. Forfeits, page 26
Added (in bold): A team may begin play with only one player present. Once a team match begins, play must be continuous, meaning teams have 1-minute to select their next player.
15. Forfeits, page 27
Added:
NOTE: A player is prohibited from playing in more than one match simultaneously. Individual matches will not be held up for players participating on other teams or formats.
Removed:
Ladies 9-Ball and 3-Person 9-Ball – Up to 15 points
15. Forfeits, page 28
Doubles, replaced (in bold):
Doubles – Two points are awarded for a singles 8-Ball match, and up to 15 points are awarded for a singles 9-Ball match. The doubles match will be awarded double points (4 for 8-Ball or 30 for 9-Ball).
Doubles – Two points are awarded for a singles 8-Ball match, and up to 15 points are awarded for a singles 9-Ball match. The doubles match will be awarded double points; four points for 8-Ball or 30 points for 9-Ball. Eight points are awarded for a full team forfeit in 8-Ball and 60 points are awarded for a full team forfeit in 9-Ball.
Removed: Juniors – Check your Local Bylaws.
18. Coaching, page 30
Replaced:
i. Coaches may not mark the playing surface of the table or guide the shooter’s cue during the execution of the shot; however, it is permissible for a coach to place an item on the rail to indicate where to aim. The coach should leave the playing area before the shooter attempts their shot.
i. Coaches may not mark the cloth in any way, including but not limited to, using chalk to draw a line or wetting a finger to dampen the cloth. It is permissible for a coach to set a piece of chalk on the unfelted, hard surface of the rail.
j. Coaches may not physically guide the shooter’s cue during the execution of the shot.
k. The coach should leave the playing area before the shooter attempts their shot.
25. Skill Level Limit, page 34
Removed:
Ladies 8-Ball and 9-Ball (13-Rule)
Juniors – Check your Local Bylaws.
27. Session Playoffs, page 37
Added (in bold) and replaced:
If three or more teams are tied – Break the tie by matching the teams against each other according to which teams involved met first on the schedule during the session. After the matching- up, proceed as described above to determine a winner, and then match the winner against the other team in the tie as described above. The losing team of that match up is then out of further consideration and receives the lowest available “place” in the division standings of the tied teams. The winner then advances to face the remaining tied team(s), again using the same procedure, until the standings of all tied teams have been determined.
29. Equipment, page 40
Removed:
NOTE 2: Wheelchair players, juniors and players who are limited in their height are allowed to use a junior cue or “shortie” as a regular shooting cue.
added (in bold) and replaced:
NOTE 32: You may change extenders, cues and/or cue shafts during a game provided the extenders, cues and/or cue shafts you are switching to do not violate any rules of use, and you remain within the time guidelines.
Game Rules
1. Lagging, page 45
Added (in bold) and replaced:
Players lag from behind the head string at approximately the same time to see who wins the first break.
In Masters Divisions, the winner of the lag will choose the have the choice of format or the break.
4. After the Break, page 47
Added (in bold):
A foul on a legal break will result in ball-in-hand for the opponent, to be placed behind the head string in 8-Ball or anywhere on the table in 9-Ball.
8-Ball, a. (replaced):
If a scratch occurs on the break, the opponent receives ball-in-hand, which must be executed from behind the head string, shooting at a ball that is outside the head string.
A foul on a legal break requires the ball-in-hand to be executed from behind the head string and contact made with an object ball outside the head string.
7. Pocketed Balls, page 50
Replaced (in bold) and removed:
NOTE 2: If two balls become wedged in the jaw of the jammed in a pocket and are leaning off the edge of the slate to some degree, they are deemed pocketed. Drop them in the pocket and resume playing unless doing so ends the game.
12. Marking the Table, page 52
Added (in bold):
It is permissible to set a piece of chalk on the unfelted, hard surface of the rail.
11. One Foot On The Floor, page 51
Removed:
When a bridge is available, At least one foot must be on the floor while shooting.
Removed:
Players shooting from a wheelchair – Players shooting from a wheelchair must remain seated in their wheelchair while shooting. If a player decides to exit the wheelchair to perform a shot, they must fully exit the chair. Players may not execute shots while “half-in, half- out” of a wheelchair.
NOTE: Players who have a legitimate need to use a stool, due to their height, are allowed to use one, provided they are able to move the stool by themselves and keep both feet on the stool. Additionally, when racking they may stand on a stool or have a teammate assist them
14. Frozen Balls, 8-Ball, page 53
After separating from the frozen ball, contact another object ball of the shooter’s shooters category first, or come back and contact the previously frozen ball first.
15. Fouls, pages 54 & 55
Added (in bold):
EXCEPTION: In 8-Ball, a scratch on the break requires the ball-in-hand to be executed from behind the head string and contact made with an object ball outside the head string.
Removed:
f. Receiving advice regarding game strategy from a fellow player, other than your designated coach, during a time-out.
Added (in bold):
k. Touching another ball on the table while placing or adjusting the position of the cue ball, with the cue ball or the hand holding the cue ball, during a ball-in-hand.
Doubles Only, add:
If the foul occurs on a shot that ends the game, it must be called before the next game begins; however, if the shot ends the match, the foul must be called before the scoresheet is signed.
Removed:
If the 8-ball is pocketed during the shot, it is loss of game, if called.
Conduct During League Play
Section 6, page 69
Added (in bold):
All members are required to exercise good sportsmanship and proper conduct. Good sportsmanship is essential in pocket billiards as in any sport. Individuals who cannot conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner will be removed from the League. In addition, if you disrupt the League by consistently arguing and disagreeing with League rules, rulings and policies you may face loss of membership.
Showdown Series, page 74
Replaced:
The 8-Ball Doubles, 9-Ball Doubles, Jack & Jill, Ladies 8-Ball, Masters, Team Captains and Wheelchair Championships all have their own set of eligibility and qualification requirements available at poolplayers. com. Some of the Showdown Series events take place alongside the Poolplayer Championships, while others are scheduled alongside the World Pool Championships. Event dates are also listed at poolplayers.com.
With:
The 8-Ball Doubles, 9-Ball Doubles, Jack & Jill, Ladies 8-Ball, Masters, Team Captains and Wheelchair Championships are held in conjunction with our Championship Events. Eligibility, qualification requirements and event dates are listed at poolplayers.com.
Removed:
3. Junior Championships
The Junior Championships are open to members ages 7 to 18 at the time of the event, who are either enrolled as a student or have graduated from high school.
This event is a 9-Ball Modified Single Elimination Format Tournament, bracketed based on the number of participants and seeded by skill level. First and second place winners are guaranteed trophies and other prizes. Please refer to your Local Bylaws for eligibility and qualification requirements. Additional rules and information are available at poolplayers.com.
Championship Tournaments, page 74
b. Player Eligibility, To be eligible for the 8-Ball Classic or 9-Ball Shootout, a player:
Replaced:
Must have an established handicap in the corresponding format. An established handicap is one that is based on a minimum of 10 actual match scores.
Must have a minimum of 10 actual match scores within the previous two years. Local Qualifier Board scores do not count towards the minimum requirement.
With:
Must have a minimum of 10 League match scores in the corresponding format within the previous two years. Local Qualifier Board scores do not count towards the minimum requirement.
World Pool Championships, pages 75-76
b. Player Eligibility, replaced (in bold):
Have an established handicap based on a minimum of 10 League actual match scores in the corresponding format, prior to the end of the Spring Session leading into the World Qualifiers.
Page 76, World Pool Championships
Added/replaced (in bold) and removed:
1. How To Become A Qualified Team
Teams qualify for their World Qualifier by winning divisional Playoffs a division title or by finishing Playoffs immediately behind a team that is already qualified.
5. 50% Rule For Qualified Teams
Qualified teams that do not finish in the top half of their division in the session(s) after they qualify are subject to heavy scrutiny of their handicaps and/or potential loss of qualification at the discretion of their League Operator. Summer Session qualified teams must finish in the top half of their division in the subsequent Fall and Spring Sessions leading into the World Qualifier. Fall Session qualified teams must finish in the top half of their division in the subsequent Spring Session of the League year leading into the World Qualifier.
8. Number Of Scores Handicaps Must Be Based On
In order to participate in the World Championships, a player must have established their handicap before the end of the Spring Session leading into the World Qualifier, in the format in which they are advancing. An established handicap is one that is based on a minimum of 10 League lifetime match scores.
9. Adding A New Player To A Qualified Team In The Spring Session
Any player being added to a qualified team in the Spring Session should have a skill level based on at least 20 scores in the corresponding format.
