In snooker, push shots and double contacts are not allowed. This particular push shot was performed by Liu Hongyu in a recent 2024 Championship League match. Referee Marcel Eckhardt missed it. There is a very simple formula that all referees can use to identify a double contact: Quite simply, if (A) the distance the cue travels through the white is greater than (B) the distance between the two balls then it has to be a double contact. This is because the white will always slow down when it meets the object ball and this allows the cue to catch up for a second contact. We can see in the video that A is indeed greater than B so this is a double contact foul. But we have the advantage of video. It is very close so the referee could be forgiven for missing it. But if he couldn't see the double contact then he should maybe have seen the player quickly withdraw his cue immediately after the shot. This type of movement is most unnatural and it is only ever done to disguise a push. *The 'very fine edge' loophole* From the rule book: "Where the cue-ball and the object ball are almost touching, it shall not be deemed a push stroke if the cue-ball hits a very fine edge of the object ball.” Loophole: As there is no definition in the rule book for a 'very fine edge' the player can define it himself in any way that suits him. So, technically speaking, it is only a foul if the referee says it is (but in this case the referee doesn't seem to be even aware that anything is amiss). This video is for educational purposes only.
In snooker, push shots and double contacts are not allowed. This particular push shot was performed by Liu Hongyu in a recent 2024 Championship League match. Referee Marcel Eckhardt missed it.
There is a very simple formula that all referees can use to identify a double contact: Quite simply, if (A) the distance the cue travels through the white is greater than (B) the distance between the two balls then it has to be a double contact. This is because the white will always slow down when it meets the object ball and this allows the cue to catch up for a second contact.
We can see in the video that A is indeed greater than B so this is a double contact foul. But we have the advantage of video. It is very close so the referee could be forgiven for missing it. But if he couldn't see the double contact then he should maybe have seen the player quickly withdraw his cue immediately after the shot. This type of movement is most unnatural and it is only ever done to disguise a push.
*The 'very fine edge' loophole*
From the rule book: "Where the cue-ball and the object ball are almost touching, it shall not be deemed a push stroke if the cue-ball hits a very fine edge of the object ball.” Loophole: As there is no definition in the rule book for a 'very fine edge' the player can define it himself in any way that suits him. So, technically speaking, it is only a foul if the referee says it is (but in this case the referee doesn't seem to be even aware that anything is amiss).
This video is for educational purposes only.