So what constitutes a "spin"? Some think it has to do with letting go of the handle, but that's not relevant; releasing the handle in a distracting manner could be a rule infraction of its own, but it's not a spin if the user catches the handle and tops the motion of the player figure before it "spins". And it is possible to spin without letting go of the handle.
Others think that a spin means that the player figure can't go around 360 degrees in a continuous motion (this is often used as an argument against the legality of the snake shot, which comprises a continuous motion of more than a full rotation of the rod). This isn't strictly the case either, though it is on the right track.
The official rules of tournament play allow for the player figure to travel up to (less than) 360 degrees BEFORE striking the ball... and ADDITIONALLY up to (less than) 360 degrees AFTER striking the ball. Thus, a continuous motion of the shot could sum up to almost 720 degrees in total (almost two full rotations), if the ball is struck before one full rotation and the motion is then stopped before the second rotation completes (after hitting the ball).
Note that the rules for spinning refer to striking/advancing the ball; therefore, if you don't advance the ball, there is no spinning infraction... you CAN spin the rod, if you don't hit the ball! Again, this could be called as a distraction, but if you are the player in possession of the ball, there really is no reason you can't just spin the rods all you want (up to your possession time limit of course), provided you don't actually hit the ball!
Also note that it is allowed for a player figure to be "spun" by the impact of the ball, if the handle is not being grasped (this often happens in singles play).
Jeff
