Legal or illegal shot and what should the ref look out for?

[Shockerz]

The shot Cao Yupeng played in the final of the Scottish Open raised a few eye brows the other day.

Was the ref right to allow it, was it a push shot and if a club player plays it after seeing it on the tv, what would you be looking out for to ensure it is played correctly?

For those that haven't seen it, take a look here.

[DeanH]

To me the shot is legal, tip contacts the cue ball and not at the time of contact of cue ball with the ball on, so no push shot.
What to look out for: the same as with all shots, the tip is used to hit the cue ball and only once, at least one foot on the floor at time of shot, the tip not in contact with the cue ball upon contact with ball on; nothing else contacts any ball on the table, i.e. clothing (or in this case) the players fingers possibly contacting the cue ball being so close.

ps. the video does not work for me (could be my corporate environment )

[Bigmeek]

Can't get the link to work either but I remember seeing the shot on the telly. Legal as far as I'm concerned. Barry Stark demonstrates a similar shot in one of his videos. Really handy technique to use when the balls are close together. Personally I find the "Shaun Murphy" technique of "mis-cuing" to avoid the push a bit easier to do.

[Dave Walton]

100% legal shot, just unorthadox

[Rebound59]

I'm most curious to know where he got the idea. I've never seen anything like it before.

[Shockerz]

I've changed the link, not sure why it's suddenly not working.

For me it must be tough to call it when the balls are really close together.

As long as you really skim it then fine but I wonder how close it is to get the tip and two balls touching all at the same time.

The skim shot looks easy as Bigmeek says but I'd like to give it a go that's for sure.

[Shockerz]

100% legal shot, just unorthadox

It was certainly unorthodox Dave.

I had a double take when watching the tv, That doesn't happen too much in snooker as you have a good idea what's coming next.

[Londonlad147]

Definitely a legal stroke.

[Shockerz]

Will you guys now play this in a frame?

Don't know why but feel a bit daft, didn't seem like a snooker shot!