Post by Brad on Sept 13, 2010 1:08:09 GMT 1
I've had quite a few questions lately regarding lagging for the break. It seems lots of people aren't 100% certain how it works.
Basically, the first two players (if doubles; first names on the card) lag for break. In the League every frame will be lagged for. In the singles and doubles comps only the first frame will be lagged and then break will alternate.
Take two balls of equal size and weight (normally two object balls) and place them on, or behind, the baulk line. I recommend that if one player is left handed, they stand at the right hand side of the table otherwise it gets quite awkward!
The balls are hit straight down the table, off the foot cushion and back up to the baulk cushion. It does not matter if the ball contacts the baulk cushion.
The ball closest to the baulk cushion wins the lag and the winner has the choice whether or not to break.
Whether one ball has hit the baulk cushion and one hasn't is irrelevant; it is the ball physically closest to the baulk cushion when they come to rest that wins.
If the ball hits the side cushion, the jaws of a pocket, goes down a pocket, hits the foot cushion twice, or crosses into the opponents half of the table, you have automatically lost the lag.
You may not lag with a cue ball and an object ball as they are not of equal size and weight.
Also, the second player must play their ball before the first player's ball has hit the foot cushion.
Below is rule 4.1 of the WEPF World Rules governing Lag for Break:
If competition or tournament rules require a lag for break then the following procedure should be used:
Each player should use balls of equal size and weight. With the balls in baulk, one player to the left and one to the right of the table, the balls are struck simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the baulk end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to the innermost edge of the baulk cushion wins the lag. The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts are immaterial, except as prohibited below.
It is an automatic loss of the lag if:
(1) the ball crosses into the opponent's half of the table,
(2) the ball fails to contact the foot cushion,
(3) the ball drops into a pocket,
(4) the ball jumps the table,
(5) the ball touches the long cushion,
(6) the ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion, or
(7) the ball contacts the foot cushion more than once.
If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed.
If one player strikes the ball, the other player has to strike his ball before the opponent’s ball reaches the foot cushion in order to have a simultaneous lag. If this is not the case and the referee feels that the player who played second wanted to get an advantage out of that, then the lag has to be replayed.
Basically, the first two players (if doubles; first names on the card) lag for break. In the League every frame will be lagged for. In the singles and doubles comps only the first frame will be lagged and then break will alternate.
Take two balls of equal size and weight (normally two object balls) and place them on, or behind, the baulk line. I recommend that if one player is left handed, they stand at the right hand side of the table otherwise it gets quite awkward!
The balls are hit straight down the table, off the foot cushion and back up to the baulk cushion. It does not matter if the ball contacts the baulk cushion.
The ball closest to the baulk cushion wins the lag and the winner has the choice whether or not to break.
Whether one ball has hit the baulk cushion and one hasn't is irrelevant; it is the ball physically closest to the baulk cushion when they come to rest that wins.
If the ball hits the side cushion, the jaws of a pocket, goes down a pocket, hits the foot cushion twice, or crosses into the opponents half of the table, you have automatically lost the lag.
You may not lag with a cue ball and an object ball as they are not of equal size and weight.
Also, the second player must play their ball before the first player's ball has hit the foot cushion.
Below is rule 4.1 of the WEPF World Rules governing Lag for Break:
If competition or tournament rules require a lag for break then the following procedure should be used:
Each player should use balls of equal size and weight. With the balls in baulk, one player to the left and one to the right of the table, the balls are struck simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the baulk end of the table. The player whose ball is the closest to the innermost edge of the baulk cushion wins the lag. The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once. Other cushion contacts are immaterial, except as prohibited below.
It is an automatic loss of the lag if:
(1) the ball crosses into the opponent's half of the table,
(2) the ball fails to contact the foot cushion,
(3) the ball drops into a pocket,
(4) the ball jumps the table,
(5) the ball touches the long cushion,
(6) the ball rests within the corner pocket and past the nose of the head cushion, or
(7) the ball contacts the foot cushion more than once.
If both players violate automatic-loss lag rules, or if the referee is unable to determine which ball is closer, the lag is a tie and is replayed.
If one player strikes the ball, the other player has to strike his ball before the opponent’s ball reaches the foot cushion in order to have a simultaneous lag. If this is not the case and the referee feels that the player who played second wanted to get an advantage out of that, then the lag has to be replayed.