S
Safety
A defensive shot, leaving a difficult shot for the opponent.
Scratched
The disqualification of a player from a match or tournament.
Screw
See “backspin”.
Seeding
The numerical grading of a player, usually based on past results.
Session
Specified times for matches to take place at tournament.
Shaft
The tapered part of the cue, with the ferrule and tip at its extreme.
Shot to nothing
A shot where a player attempts combines an attempt to pot a ball on, with an element of safety.
Side
See “sidespin”
Sidespin
Achieved by striking left or right of centre on the cue ball, making it react differently with object balls and cushions, altering the path at which it travels.
Slate
The material used to form the bed of the table.
Slide
The increased angle at which the cue ball comes off the cushion.
Snick
A very thin contact between cue ball and object ball.
Snooker
1) The game
2) A shot where a player does not have a direct line between cue ball and object ball.
Snookers required
A term used when the number of points remaining on the table is less than the difference between the players’ scores.
Speed control
The knowledge of how much pace is required to play the shot successfully.
Spider
A piece of equipment that enables a player to reach shots where it is necessary to strike over another ball.
Split
The developing of a group of balls.
Spot (noun)
The six points on the table, each designated for one of the coloured balls.
Stance
A player’s feet position during a shot.
Stroke
The movement of the cue through the cue ball during the shot.
Stun run-through
A shot played, by accelerating the cue, striking just above the centre of the cue ball, causing the cue ball to stop momentarily before moving forwards.
Stun shot
A shot where the cue ball is struck with sufficient amount of backspin so that upon impact with object ball all spin is removed. If played on a straight pot, the cue ball will finish in the same position at which the object ball started.
Swan
A piece of equipment that enables a player to reach shots where it is necessary to strike over a number of other balls.
Swerve shot
Used to escape a snooker without using a cushion. Played by applying sidespin and a downward strike on the cue ball.
