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Our match got a bit heated this week due to some controversy caused when one of our players blocked my shot and I called a time out, which was granted.

My understanding of the rule is that if your shot is blocked by anything or anyone then you call a time out until you can play it, no further restrictions- you own player, their player, Father Christmas or a barmaid getting glasses.

The other team stated that it might have been deliberate and said that you can't call a time out for your own team- any good team mate should stay out of your way.

So have I misinterpreted the rule? I appreciate that you should try and stay out of the players' way but you can't always do it, especially if there isn't a lot of room around the table.

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?Time out? may be called at the Referees discretion. For example:
? Something obstructing the player

It doesn't specify in the referee's guidance any restriction on the 'something'.

That said, keep a tighter reign on your team and stop them walking in front of each other, then the situation won't arise. It's basic pool etiquette.

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We were playing on the other table and politely asked for them not to allow the argument to interfere with our game, or words to that effect.

My view is that they may have a point on the letter of the law but not on the spirit. The 60 second rule was brought in to speed matches up, a bit of common sense should prevail.

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Honestly! The things people will do for 2 shots. If you can't take your shot you ask for time out. Simples! Considering its just as easy to say "Excuse me" as "Time out", there must have been a reason why your player couldn't get out of the way quickly and you had to call time out.

This could only turn into an argument in div 5... :no:

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60 second rule is rubbish. we've only used it once this entire season, at the waddon. no one else wanted to use it.

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I would like to apologise for that one, it did slip my mind that there was another game being played on the next table.

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That was my view.

If I thought it was quicker I would have just asked him to move, the shot was easy and into the corner so it didn't need much thinking about given the choice I would have potted it straight away or pushed him out of the way!

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It would have been quicker if you cant get your own players to move out of the way when they know you are on a clock then you are definately in trouble................and to quote the ref (Paul Saxton) if you dont like the rules leave the league ..............great advertisement for playin for the league .......well done Paul!!!!

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I don't see what difference it makes whether it was his own player, someone from the opposing team or a random person.

If the player is being obstucted then a timeout is justified.

Fat-Dart has already quoted from the official guidance.