ZMac bounce

Use a firm sideways nudge to bounce a slow ball back from the end of a flipper into a controllable position.

Also called: Z-Mac bounce, Zach McCarthy bounce

How it works

  1. Recognize a failed cradle that is slowly rolling or bouncing over the flipper tip.
  2. Nudge sideways as the ball reaches the tip to change the rebound.
  3. 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.