Also called: Flipper aiming, Shot timing
The ball’s position on the flipper and the moment you flip determine the direction of the shot.
Play demonstration
The ball rolls to the left flipper, then is shot diagonally toward an upper target. Source: Abe Flips: Aiming and Shooting at 0:35 .How it works Choose a playfield mark as a repeatable aiming reference. From a cradle, release and flip when the ball reaches the position that sends it toward the target. For a faster rolling ball, begin the flip earlier and adjust from the result.
Use it when You need to turn a controlled ball into a repeatable shot.
Watch for A miss usually means the flip was early or late, not that the target moved.
Practice Make one shot five times, switch shots, then alternate between them. Also called: Trap, Flipper trap, Cradling
Hold a raised flipper so a slow ball settles against it, giving you time to plan your next move.
How it works Let the ball arrive with low enough speed to stay on the raised flipper. Keep the button held and allow the ball to settle near the base. Release into a pass or timed shot when you are ready.
Use it when The ball is moving slowly enough to stop safely on a raised flipper.
Watch for Fast or steep feeds can roll over the flipper or bounce into the center.
Practice Pause after every safe feed instead of immediately flipping the ball away. Also called: Dead flip, Dead pass, Bounce pass
Leave a flipper down and let the ball rebound from it toward the opposite flipper, reducing the ball’s momentum without a flip.
Play demonstration
The ball strikes a lowered left flipper and rebounds safely to the right flipper. Source: Abe Flips: Dead Bounce at 0:38 .How it works Recognize a feed aimed safely at the face of a lowered flipper. Do not press the button; let the rubber absorb and redirect the ball. Receive the slower rebound on the opposite flipper.
Use it when A predictable feed can rebound across the center instead of draining.
Watch for Feeds near the flipper base or inlane guide can deflect straight down the middle.
Practice Resist flipping during safe feeds and observe how that particular machine rebounds. Also called: Drop flip
Variants: Late drop catch, Tip shot
Release a raised flipper at contact so the ball loses speed and gently rolls up the flipper, often giving you a chance to cradle it.
Play demonstration
The left flipper drops as the ball arrives, taking off speed so the ball rolls gently toward its base. Source: Abe Flips: Drop Catch at 2:02 .How it works Raise the receiving flipper before the ball arrives. Release the button as the ball contacts the flipper. Re-engage the flipper to cradle the gently rising ball, or follow with a planned shot.
Use it when A controlled return is approaching the middle or base of a flipper.
Watch for Releasing early produces a bounce; releasing late sends the ball away with extra energy.
Practice Start with predictable orbit returns and change only the release timing. Also called: Live trap
Time the end of a flipper stroke to meet the incoming ball and cancel its momentum into a cradle.
Play demonstration
The left flipper reaches the top of its stroke at contact, stopping the incoming ball before it settles into a cradle. Source: Abe Flips: Live Catch at 1:28 .How it works Read the ball’s path and choose the receiving flipper. Flip so the ball arrives just as the flipper reaches the end of its stroke. Keep holding the button while the ball settles into a cradle.
Use it when A clean, predictable feed approaches close to perpendicular to the flipper.
Watch for The timing window is small, and a failed attempt can send the ball toward the center.
Practice Use repeatable orbit returns and listen for the contact at the top of the stroke. Also called: Chop catch, Hedged live catch
A Flutter catch is a hedged live catch. It gives you the control of a live catch with the more forgiving timing of a drop catch.
Play demonstration
The left flipper meets the ball during its downstroke, and the ball flops back toward the inlane. Source: Community Flutter-catch example at 2:08:35 .How it works Read a ball that will arrive high on the receiving flipper, near its base. Use a short flipper movement so the ball meets the flipper during its downstroke. Let the ball flop toward the inlane, then make the next shot.
Use it when You want to stop an incoming ball without relying on the narrow timing of a live catch.
Watch for Late live-catch timing can rebound the ball toward the outlane. If the ball rolls into a cradle, the result is closer to a drop catch.
Practice Use one repeatable feed. First make the ball stop and flop toward the inlane. Then add the next shot. Also called: Post transfer, Flipper transfer
Transfer a cradled ball to the opposite flipper with a quick release and repress that sends it around the center post.
Play demonstration
A brief release and repress sends a cradled ball around the center post to the right flipper. Source: Abe Flips: Post Pass at 0:32 .How it works Begin with the ball cradled near the base of a raised flipper. Release and quickly repress the button to tap the ball across. Keep the initiating flipper raised until the ball has crossed the center line.
Use it when The opposite flipper has the safer or more valuable shot.
Watch for Timing varies greatly with flipper angle, rubber, post position, and playfield pitch.
Practice Calibrate the smallest useful tap on each machine before relying on it. Also called: Ski jump, Flipper ski pass
Let a rolling inlane ball travel over a held flipper and cross to the opposite side instead of shooting it away.
Play demonstration
A ball moving down the left inlane glides over the left flipper to the right flipper. Source: Abe Flips: Ski Pass at 0:25 .How it works Raise the flipper under the rolling ball. Let the ball travel along and over the flipper tip. Receive it on the opposite flipper; a small upward nudge can help a marginal pass.
Use it when An inlane feed is rolling quickly enough to cross the center safely.
Watch for A slow pass can fall between the flippers, especially if the receiving flipper is already raised.
Practice Learn which inlane speeds cross naturally before adding a nudge. Also called: Micro tap, Flick pass
Variants: Rolling stop, Back-flip setup
Release and repress a flipper very quickly to make a small, precise change to a slow ball.
How it works Start with a slow ball on or near a raised flipper. Release the button for only a moment, then press it again. Use the base or tip of the moving flipper to stop, pass, or reposition the ball.
Use it when A full flip would add too much energy but the ball still needs a small correction.
Watch for The ball can hop off metal inlane transitions or rebound toward the center.
Practice Begin from a cradle and make the release interval progressively shorter. Also called: Shatzing, Alley pass
Shoot a moving inlane ball up the opposite inlane, carrying it behind the slingshot toward the upper playfield.
How it works Read a ball rolling down an inlane toward the flipper. Flip late enough to send the ball across the gap and up the opposite inlane. Use the resulting upper-playfield feed or shot opportunity.
Use it when The machine has suitable inlane geometry and an upper lane or shot worth attacking.
Watch for The move is layout-specific and an early or weak attempt can drain through the center.
Practice Choose one machine with a known Shatz route and repeat only the inlane timing. Also called: Flipper shielding, Center-drain shielding, Flipper management
Raise the flipper beneath a dangerous feed to close part of the center gap, then switch flippers as the ball crosses the middle.
How it works Predict which side of the center gap the ball is approaching. Raise the nearest flipper to shield that path. After the ball crosses the center line, lower it and raise the other flipper if needed.
Use it when Slingshot, inlane, or post rebounds may drop unpredictably toward the center.
Watch for Holding both flippers or switching too early can create a larger uncontrolled gap.
Practice Practice the left-right handoff on slow feeds until it becomes automatic. Also called: Double slap, Single slap, Cabinet slap
Variants: Elwin save
Strike the flipper button and cabinet in sequence to move the playfield under a ball headed down the center and extend the flippers’ reach.
Play demonstration
The left flipper moves first and the right follows, redirecting a center-bound ball back into play. Source: Abe Flips: Slap Save at 0:52 .How it works Identify which flipper can make first contact with the center-draining ball. Slap that button and cabinet, then immediately use the opposite hand and flipper. Let the cabinet re-center instead of continuing to push it.
Use it when A center drain is otherwise unavoidable and the ball is still within extended flipper reach.
Watch for Any cabinet movement can trigger a warning or tilt; sensitivity varies by machine and event.
Practice Learn with the least force that moves the ball, and never practice on a machine whose owner forbids nudging. Also called: Bumping, Shaking
Variants: Nudge pass, Outlane shake
Move the cabinet briefly so the playfield shifts under the ball, changing its speed or path after contact with a post, rubber, or wall.
Play demonstration
The cabinet shifts sideways as the ball approaches the outlane, changing its path toward the flipper. Source: Abe Flips: Nudging, Part 1 at 2:50 .How it works Predict the ball’s path before it reaches a dangerous obstacle. Use a short movement to place the obstacle where it can redirect the ball. Stop pushing and allow the machine to settle immediately.
Use it when A small change can keep the ball away from an outlane or improve a rebound.
Watch for Long, sustained movement is less precise and more likely to trigger a tilt warning.
Practice Start with gentle post rebounds and move the cabinet only as much as needed. Also called: Z-Mac bounce, Zach McCarthy bounce
Use a firm sideways nudge to bounce a slow ball back from the end of a flipper into a controllable position.
How it works Recognize a failed cradle that is slowly rolling or bouncing over the flipper tip. Nudge sideways as the ball reaches the tip to change the rebound. Receive the returning ball on a flipper and regain control.
Use it when A low-energy ball is about to escape a cradle but still has a recoverable bounce.
Watch for Tight tilt settings, low-bounce rubber, nearby mechanisms, or a bad return angle can make the move unsafe.
Practice Try it only on repeatable slow roll-offs after learning the machine’s tilt sensitivity. Also called: Tip recovery, Teps, Flick pass
Briefly drop and re-engage a raised flipper as a slow inlane ball reaches its tip, adding just enough energy to cross to the other flipper.
How it works Hold the flipper up before the inlane ball reaches it. As the ball approaches the tip, release the button for a split second. Re-engage immediately so the small upward movement carries the ball across.
Use it when A ski pass is losing speed and a nudge will not carry the ball across the gap.
Watch for Too much flipper movement launches the ball; too little lets it fall from the tip.
Practice Start with slow, repeatable inlane feeds and shorten the release until the pass stays low. Also called: Tip cancel, Ski-pass cancel
Use an early micro flip before the ball reaches the flipper tip to cancel a weak ski pass and bring the ball back toward control.
How it works Recognize a slow ball rolling along a held flipper. Release and re-engage a fraction earlier than a tip pass. Let the low-energy backhand motion return the ball toward a cradle on the same side.
Use it when You want to abort a ski pass or a rolling ball lacks enough energy for a useful transfer.
Watch for Late timing turns it into a tip pass; excessive movement can shoot the ball unpredictably.
Practice Alternate tip passes and tip backhands from the same feed to learn the timing boundary. Also called: Touch pass, Soft tap pass
Give a descending ball the lightest possible flipper tap so it travels directly and gently to the opposite flipper.
Play demonstration
A very small tap moves a cradled ball from the left flipper to the right. Source: The Pinball Tap Pass at 0:47 .How it works Release a cradled ball and let it begin rolling down the flipper. Tap the button very briefly so the flipper moves only a small amount. Receive the low transfer on the opposite flipper.
Use it when A full post pass would add too much energy, particularly on a classic machine.
Watch for Modern powerful flippers may offer almost no useful tap window; a long press launches the ball.
Practice Learn on an older, slower machine and reduce the input until the ball touches only the two flippers. Also called: Inlane post catch, Post trap
Time a rising flipper so an inlane ball meets it near the top of its stroke and rebounds from the post into control.
How it works Read a ball descending quickly through the inlane. Flip so the ball meets the upper portion of the moving flipper. Use the nearby post rebound to remove speed and settle the ball.
Use it when An inlane feed is too fast to cradle normally but follows a clean, repeatable path.
Watch for Early contact shoots the ball away; late contact can let it roll off the flipper tip.
Practice Use one consistent ramp return and adjust only the flip timing. Also called: Multiball separation, Ball separation
Variants: Up-and-over separation, Newton cradle separation
Separate two or more balls held on one flipper so one remains cradled while another moves to the opposite side or back into play.
Play demonstration
One of two balls is tapped to the right flipper while the other remains cradled on the left. Source: Tilt Pinball: Cradle Separation at 0:12 .How it works Settle the balls together near the base of a raised flipper. Use a tiny, controlled release or micro flip to free the outside ball. Keep the remaining ball secured while tracking the separated ball.
Use it when Multiple balls are stacked on one flipper and independent control would improve the next shots.
Watch for An oversized input can release every ball or send the outside ball toward an outlane.
Practice Begin with two balls and aim only to retain one securely before adding a target shot. Also called: Back flip, Same-side shot
Shoot a target on the same side as the active flipper, often from near the flipper base and behind the nearby slingshot.
How it works Cradle or slow the ball on the flipper beneath the intended shot. Use a small setup movement if the ball needs room to roll into position. Flip from the inner portion of the bat to send the ball up the same side.
Use it when The same-side angle is safer or more repeatable than transferring for a forehand shot.
Watch for Backhands are highly layout-dependent and may be weaker than the conventional forehand.
Practice Choose one known backhandable shot and compare its return with the forehand route. Also called: Orbit pass, Loop catch
Drop the receiving flipper as a fast orbit return reaches it, sharply reducing the ball’s speed and redirecting it toward the opposite flipper.
How it works Identify a repeatable orbit return aimed at a raised flipper. Release the flipper as the returning ball contacts it. Catch the reduced-speed rebound on the opposite flipper or take a measured shot.
Use it when A fast orbit return is predictable but too energetic for a conventional catch.
Watch for Early release risks a center drain; late release can bounce the ball back up the playfield.
Practice Loop one safe orbit repeatedly and calibrate the release from its return speed. Also called: Rolling alley pass, Running Shatz
Launch a moving inlane ball from the flipper tip across the center and up the opposite inlane without first cradling it.
How it works Leave the receiving flipper down as the ball rolls through the inlane. Snap the flipper up when the ball reaches the curved tip. Send the ball across the gap and into the opposite inlane.
Use it when A moving inlane feed has the speed and angle for an immediate alley pass.
Watch for The timing window is tiny: early contact shoots sideways, while late contact drains.
Practice Master a cradled Shatz first, then practice on a slower classic machine. Nudge-assisted dead bounce Also called: Nudged dead flip, Nudge-assisted bounce pass
Add a short forward nudge as the ball hits a lowered flipper so a weak dead bounce gains enough energy to cross the center gap.
How it works Recognize a safe dead-bounce feed that is unlikely to cross on its own. Keep both flippers down and nudge forward at the moment of contact. Receive the assisted rebound on the opposite flipper.
Use it when A normal dead bounce would lose momentum and fall through the center before reaching the other side.
Watch for An early nudge disrupts the approach; a late nudge cannot recover a ball already below the flippers.
Practice Compare the same feed with and without a minimal forward nudge. Also called: Nudged ski pass, Nudge pass
Add a short forward nudge near the flipper tip to help a weakening ski pass clear the center gap.
How it works Raise the flipper before the inlane ball arrives and begin a normal ski pass. If the ball slows near the tip, push the cabinet forward briefly. Prepare the opposite flipper to receive the assisted transfer.
Use it when A ski pass is set up correctly but lacks just enough speed to finish crossing.
Watch for The amount of force depends on cabinet stability and tilt sensitivity; too much movement can earn a warning.
Practice Start with a pass that almost clears naturally and add only the smallest useful nudge. Also called: Stage flipping, Staged flipping, Half-press flippers
Partially press a two-stage flipper button to hold one flipper—usually the lower one—without activating another flipper on the same side.
Play demonstration
The lower right flipper stays raised while the upper right flipper moves independently. Source: Planet Pinball: Stage Flipping at 0:20 .How it works Confirm that the machine has staged button switches and which flipper activates first. Press only to the first switch and hold that flipper in position. Press through the second switch only when the other flipper is needed.
Use it when You need to cradle on a lower flipper while keeping an upper flipper available, especially during multiball.
Watch for Not every machine supports staging, and some machines are adjusted or wired in reverse order.
Practice With no ball near the flippers, slowly find and hold the first-switch position before practicing during play.