Tap pass

Give a descending ball the lightest possible flipper tap so it travels directly and gently to the opposite flipper.

Also called: Touch pass, Soft tap pass

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

  1. Release a cradled ball and let it begin rolling down the flipper.
  2. Tap the button very briefly so the flipper moves only a small amount.
  3. 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.