With the new pennant season on the horizon it has come to our attention that many players are unaware of the ‘other rule book’ entitled the Code of Ethics. While this document contains things that will not result in penalty points for any non compliance, it is still a requirement that all participating players follow its conditions when playing in any of the sanctioned tournaments, including the Pennant and Willis competitions run by the V.B.S.A.

Many players including a large majority of those new to the sport are unaware of its existence much less its contents. Please take some time to read the attached document to familiarise yourself with these conditions.

Despite any instructions to the contrary all official rules (as well as all the V.B.S.A. playing conditions) apply to all grades. This includes Section 3 Rule 14 which covers the Foul and a Miss instructions. The rule is to be administered as stated in the rule book. The main issue to remember with this rule in D grade is that all players acting as referees must be fair to all players and to take into consideration the difference in skill of the D grade players, which by definition must be lesser than higher grades. With this in mind and only when in snookered situations, all referees are admonished to be very open in their opinions when assessing genuine attempts at an escape.

When snookers are required to win a frame then a miss cannot be called.

In D grade 90% of the fouls caused by snookers should not be called a miss.

Referees must take into consideration whether the player from any snookered situation has struck intervening balls not on. A miss must be called unless the stroke is beyond the capabilities of the striker.

(A good rule of thumb for this situation is to consider if the snookering ball or balls are closer to the ball on or to the cue ball. If the former is the case then some leniency may be allowed and if the latter, then the escapee has more opportunity to avoid the offending obstruction and it should not be struck.)

Referees must take into consideration whether the player from any snookered situation has hit the stroke with enough force to reach a ball on. A miss must be called unless the stroke is beyond the capabilities of the striker.

The instructions in both the sentences above must be enforced if there is a straight line path from the cue ball to any part of a ball on but can also be ignored by referees if in their opinion the stroke was difficult enough to be beyond the capabilities of the player. An example of this would be if the cue ball was tight to a cushion and the ball on was only able to be struck at its finest edge and was some distance away. Other examples may also apply.

The skill level of the striker in any grade must be taken into account when making a call of Miss but is not a reason to avoid it.

Larry Eforgan. Director of Referees.

Please see attached "Information" for recent changes to the rules of snooker and billiards. The PDF will give you a quick overview and a complete copy of the rules may be downloaded from World Snooker's website. A new flowchart to assist with application of the Foul & A Miss rule has also been provided. This is from the Sussex referees' manual, a very handy reference for anyone wanting to learn more about the rules of Billiards and Snooker.

Please be aware the VBSA By Laws have been amended 03.08.2014 to include ....

Rule 2 - Minimum dress - All leagues
a. The host club's rules for dress on their premises shall be observed by all players in all leagues and visiting supporters.
b. No headwear is permitted to be worn by players or officials at any time during the course of a match. This rule may be varied upon application for religious or medical reasons (providing it is acceptable under a.).

Rule 10 - Player Regulations All leagues

c. Players are permitted to play in any grade in both Premier/Reserve or Willis/Reserve. The VBSA reserve the right to advise any player to play in a higher grade if they are seen to be playing in a grade below their ability. Any player that is perceived to have played in a grade that is below his/her ability may forfeit all frames won.