Topic: Spinning Clarification

[Joel]

I was at a local bar tournament recently and witnessed a player doing the following shot:

He sets the ball up like he is going to do a normal push shot. Then pushes the rod quickly and rotates the rod (letting go of it with his hand) to hit the ball into the goal. He then immediately grabs the rod before it rotates more than 360 degrees.

A couple of guys complained that the shot was a spin and the tournament director agreed to ban the shot. After looking at the ITSF rulebook, I don't see how this could be ruled a spin. The rod never rotates more than 360 degrees before or after contact with the ball. The people calling it a spin claimed that if your hand ever leaves the rod during a shot it is a spin. However, after looking over the section regarding spins, I didn't see that written anywhere.

My only guess is that the shot could be ruled a distraction since his hand comes off the rod, but once again the rulebook didn't seem to be perfectly clear on this issue. Can someone help me out?

Thanks

[EDGEER]

It is legal, but not very effective. Todd does a straight that way sometimes.

[Chase Pennell]

Legal! I have seen people do ok with it in the lower ranks...Where was your tourny?

[deadbarfoos]

360 before striking the ball , 360 after striking the ball = LEGAL ,just dont exceed 360
hand off the rod (if its too much movement of the hand (excessive) may be ruled a distraction (judgement call by a ref)

[Joel]

Thanks for the clarification. Our tourney was in Grand Forks, ND.

During our next tournament, I'll try to capture some video to give you an even better idea of the shot.

[Chase Pennell]

Joel,

I know a guy that shoots it on tour. It is a real shot. As long as the rod does not go 360 before or after it is not a problem. The rod leaving his hand is not a problem! Feel free to let them all know....

[willhawkes]

in the UK that shot is known as "the wrench"

[bbtuna]

there is a video of a "wrench" shooter against a pull shooter contest i saw within the last 18 months and can't find it...maybe someone knows where it is at?