Thanks. Which video did you find the most interesting or useful?Great videos!
Thank you!
Did you try the BU exams yet? If not, do you plan to?
Regards,
Dave
Billiard University (BU) playing-ability-exam scores and ratings
- Thread starter dr_dave
- Start date
Did you try the BU exams yet? If not, do you plan to?
Regards,
Dave
I have a bet with somebody about which video people will find the most interesting and useful (i.e., will get the most views). If you have watched the videos, please report back with what you think are the top two in terms of value for you personally.
Thanks,
Dave
I'll tell you without watching going by title that the top one for med to advanced players would probably be the Kick Shot Aiming. It's will probably have the most "new" info for us.
FYI, according to YouTube view numbers (as of 5/30/2013), here's the apparent order for what people seem to like the best:
1.) break technique - 754 views
2.) how to aim pool shots - 703 views
3.) kick shot aiming systems - 554 views
I'm not surprised by the break shot video, because people often want to improve their break, and there isn't a lot of solid information and advice out there on this topic.
I also expected the kick shot aiming video to rate fairly high because it presents easy visual ways to aim 1-rail and 2-rail kick shots (with no numbers or math). I know people like this sort of thing.
I'm a little surprised by the aiming video, but I guess I shouldn't be based on how much controversy this topic stirs up on the forums.
Enjoy,
Dave
I'm considering attending; going to PM you with a couple questions.
Hopefully the power doesn't go out before I can get it sent.
I just responded to your PM. Thank you for the interest.I'm considering attending; going to PM you with a couple questions.
Hopefully the power doesn't go out before I can get it sent.
Best regards,
Dave
PS: Where are you, and what is causing your power to be uncertain?
I'm glad to hear it. Please consider posting a score (and videos if you have a camera). Regardless, please let us know how well you think the BU rating system matches your perceived level of play.
Thanks,
Dave
Already got the camera setup. I have to admit though that I tend to perform poorly when I am not nervous. I ran through the fundamentals real quick earlier and didn't do so well. But I will put on my big boys pants and post up whatever I get. :thumbup:
Ken
Thanks Ken. We were hoping to get a wide range of scores and ratings from beginner to professional so we could see how well people thought the BU rating system worked. I look forward to you and others posting their scores (with or without videos).
Thanks,
Dave
Firstly - if there's one thing I like about this video -- we actually like the same music. Drivermaker got me hooked on Satriani - that guy is sick.
Back to the video: I don't get it -- Your video started with a whole production of you demonstrating the dimensions of your pocket with a ruler, piece of paper, balls, etc, and then the first 11 mins you kept shooting a shot that was 6" from the pocket. You kept changing the distance and angle, but they're all really the same shot.
Then, the stop shots were so-so - lots of movement. The draw shots-- I have a hunch you gave yourself points on those. You kept trying to defend your score with hand gestures. To defend ya on the wagon wheel -- that's always a little chancy, but I did enjoy your immense calculations with your hand and your cue to try to figure out the hit.
I'm not sure what you're getting at with the "bachelor, masters and doctorate at pool" thing. So, if someone scores well with this, do they have a doctorate in pool? What does that mean exactly? Is that implying they play well? If so, totally disagree. The University lists all of the major instructors, but I find it tough to believe that a group of smart guys like that would put together a test like this one and award "degrees" based on scores. I just don't buy it.
All of these formatted skills tests allow players to master "the test" versus the skill. Meaning, over time, you learn how to hit each of the setups to score well.
Why invent a new test? Just run a set of 10 racks of Hopkins's Cue Skills - break 15 balls and run the first 10 in any order and the last 5 in rotation. Add up your 10 rack totals and then you have a REAL skill level. Give diplomas as degrees based on that. You're scoring the process instead of the result and it's the result that matters. If someone scores over 110, give them a doctorate. That doctorate means the universe over someone who has a doctorate based on this test.
Do you have a doctorate in pool based on your score?
Look - I promise I'm not doggin' ya just to dog ya --- I'm honestly lost with the point of the test and what you're trying to do --- mostly with the degree thing. Just like Colenso's test-- just because anyone gets a good score on it doesn't mean that they can play well. All of the above said, I'm proud of you for making a video for once.
Dave
Back to the video: I don't get it -- Your video started with a whole production of you demonstrating the dimensions of your pocket with a ruler, piece of paper, balls, etc, and then the first 11 mins you kept shooting a shot that was 6" from the pocket. You kept changing the distance and angle, but they're all really the same shot.
Then, the stop shots were so-so - lots of movement. The draw shots-- I have a hunch you gave yourself points on those. You kept trying to defend your score with hand gestures. To defend ya on the wagon wheel -- that's always a little chancy, but I did enjoy your immense calculations with your hand and your cue to try to figure out the hit.
I'm not sure what you're getting at with the "bachelor, masters and doctorate at pool" thing. So, if someone scores well with this, do they have a doctorate in pool? What does that mean exactly? Is that implying they play well? If so, totally disagree. The University lists all of the major instructors, but I find it tough to believe that a group of smart guys like that would put together a test like this one and award "degrees" based on scores. I just don't buy it.
All of these formatted skills tests allow players to master "the test" versus the skill. Meaning, over time, you learn how to hit each of the setups to score well.
Why invent a new test? Just run a set of 10 racks of Hopkins's Cue Skills - break 15 balls and run the first 10 in any order and the last 5 in rotation. Add up your 10 rack totals and then you have a REAL skill level. Give diplomas as degrees based on that. You're scoring the process instead of the result and it's the result that matters. If someone scores over 110, give them a doctorate. That doctorate means the universe over someone who has a doctorate based on this test.
Do you have a doctorate in pool based on your score?
Look - I promise I'm not doggin' ya just to dog ya --- I'm honestly lost with the point of the test and what you're trying to do --- mostly with the degree thing. Just like Colenso's test-- just because anyone gets a good score on it doesn't mean that they can play well. All of the above said, I'm proud of you for making a video for once.
Dave
Do you feel that someone can get a good score and not play well? Why not try the test, and see how well the test matches up with what you believe you are now rated?
You must be cooler than I thought your were.
You obviously didn't watch any of the introductory videos, and didn't visit the BU website, and didn't read any of the documentation. I recommend you start with the overview videos:
BU Exam-I Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Fundamentals Exam
BU Exam II Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Skills Exam
Then you can look at the exam documents that contain all of the shot diagrams and detailed instructions.
As was mentioned earlier in the thread, using the cushion on the "stop shot" drill is a smart and strategic approach that is allowed within the exam rules.
Again, you need to watch the videos and read the exam documents to understand what I was doing.
I would have enjoyed it also if it had worked better; but it's one thing to "know" and its another thing to "execute." I need to work on the "execute" part a little more.
Again, you need to watch the videos and read the documents to understand better.
I think the BU diplomas (Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate of Pool) and the BU rating system do an excellent job of assessing a player's overall ability in a wide range of pool skills. I think a lower intermediate player will not score very high and probably won't be able to earn even a Bachelors of Pool without a lot of practice. I also think a top player will typically perform very well on the exams, especially if her or she has practiced the drills and has focus during the exams. Only a top player could earn a "Doctorate with Honors."
... because no previous tests/games/drills I've seen provide a complete, structured, well designed, and challenging pool workout you can use to develop and improve your game to reach the next level. I think the BU exams do this and I think the resulting BU rating is an accurate measure of overall pool-playing ability. Also, the diploma-granting feature of our system provides a good goal people can work toward and be proud of when they achieve it. Also, I think the BU exams are fun with the progressive nature and bonus-point feature of the exam scoring system.
... not yet, but this is definitely a future goal. My current diploma level is "Master of Pool with Honors."
Again, please do a little more research and try the exams before you judge any further. And please post your score (and videos if possible). Maybe you can become the first BU Doctorate of Pool. If you play as good as you talk, you are definitely capable of this.
I've been making videos for many years. You just haven't watched them all. Now it's your turn to post videos of the BU exams.
Catch you later,
Dave
I do think those run-out tests probably have better validity for actual play in real pool-playing situations. But I think set-up drills are probably better practice.
Neil, you are correct that I was mostly modeling the systems we teach in the BU instructional series. However, I do use the rolling-CB 30-degree peace-sign technique and the draw shot trisect system when I play ... I just do them much more quickly, and sometimes I just visualize them in my head instead of actually placing my hand or cue down on the table. I also sometimes use the ghost-ball cue-pivoting aiming system when I don't feel confident with a shot (e.g., is it just doesn't look right).
Regards,
Dave
Set-up drills ensure consistency from one attempt to the next and from one player to the next. They also allow the player rating to be determined efficiently over the small amount of time the exams require.
Regards,
Dave
I believe that the score for this test compared to one's actual playing ability will be a far greater gap than what the Hopkins Cue Skills provides as a rating method.
Just because I think that someone CAN get a good score on this and not be a PH.D "playing wise" doesn't mean I believe that as a blanket statement for ALL those who participate.
For instance, it appeared as though Dr. Dave scored highly on this test and I know you participated and also likely scored highly. I also know that Dr. Dave is a big underdog against you playing any game. Therefore, it's a weak test.
If you play 10 racks of Cue Skills and so does Dr. Dave, the delta would be pretty big. Therefore, it's a stronger test.
I think run out tests are the best practice for running out. With a test like this, you're conditioning your brain to shoot 1 shot and disengage. With a run out test, you're conditioning your brain to stay engaged for a longer period of time. If all one does is practice shoot, disengage, mark scores and re-engage, you're gonna dog it mid-run in a real life situation. Just my opinion, of course.
Dr Dave, I usually agree with most of what you do. However, the statement that (paraphrasing) "this is an excellent test to gage skill level", I do not agree with, yet. The reason being you have no data. You are hypothesizing its an excellent gage of skill. However, you have not tested this hypotheses yet.
I know from my personal experiences of keeping scores for lots of my drills, that they vary widely over time. A test that takes 1 or 2 hours to perform is a bit short to really gage someones's skill. It can definitely point you in the right direction, but I can very easily see the same player from 1 week to the next scoring completely differently, just due to probabilities. I know in my own data I see this a lot.
I might try this myself, but I'm in a lazy state right now, lol.
Btw, you need pool glasses. 100% sure about it from watching some of your shots. You don't know what you are missing unless you have a pair.
I know from my personal experiences of keeping scores for lots of my drills, that they vary widely over time. A test that takes 1 or 2 hours to perform is a bit short to really gage someones's skill. It can definitely point you in the right direction, but I can very easily see the same player from 1 week to the next scoring completely differently, just due to probabilities. I know in my own data I see this a lot.
I might try this myself, but I'm in a lazy state right now, lol.
Btw, you need pool glasses. 100% sure about it from watching some of your shots. You don't know what you are missing unless you have a pair.