Billiards University test

Pathetic Shark said:
dr_dave said:
Pathetic Shark said:
Have you - or anyone - done the 10 ball ghost yet?
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Pretty much everybody on the AZB BU list has done the 10-ball ghost drill already. All of the scores are posted along with the BU scores and ratings on the BU thread.

I don't see your name on the list yet. Do you plan to do the BU Exams and 10-ball ghost rating drill?
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I've told you several times, I can't be bothered.

I meant on video, obviously. NOBODY has done it yet - wonder why? :rolleyes: It's a little difficult to count how many have actually videoed the drills - 20, perhaps - yet not one has videoed the 10 ball ghost under your rating system, which would make much more interesting viewing than watching someone put the ball on a piece of paper.

Have YOU set the example, Dave?
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I finally found some time to shoot and film some 10-ball-ghost sessions. I did two sessions each of the last two days. Here's my best set of the four:
Dr. Dave's 10-ball-ghost drill video (12/20/2013)

I'll post more in the future, especially when I do better. I was a little disappointed in the 63 (A+) score from this set because every layout was fairly easy to run. With these layouts, and on this table, I would expect an A+ player to run most of these racks.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
I finally found some time to shoot and film some 10-ball-ghost sessions. I did two sessions each of the last two days. Here's my best set of the four:
Dr. Dave's 10-ball-ghost drill video (12/20/2013)

I'll post more in the future, especially when I do better. I was a little disappointed in the 63 (A+) score from this set because every layout was fairly easy to run. With these layouts, and on this table, I would expect an A+ player to run most of these racks.

Catch you later,
Dave
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Cool, thanks. That was good to watch. I'll even let you off fouling the 7 ball in the first rack.;) What cue do you use - Predator 3k series?

You get a much better idea of how someone plays when seeing an unedited race like this. There are many things I don't like about your stroke, much of which you will be aware of, I'm sure. Whilst your drills and the BU are useful practice tools, I STRONGLY recommend practicing your fundamentals ahead of your practice routines. I think your height doesn't help you here - there are times when you look like a new born giraffe at the table, with arms and legs splayed everywhere. You lack stability in your stance, which will really become noticeable on power shots - work on your balance and coordination - you may need instruction here, or at least someone to see you up close to see where your balance points are. If someone can push you over with ease when you are on the shot, there's something wrong. Balance is hugely important in being able to stay perfectly still on the shot.

You should also be lower on the shot. Your chin should be on the cue, or no more than a hair above it. You also get down and then get up again too often. Make your mind up when stood up, and stick to it. The other glaring thing is a palpable lack of self confidence - you can see it drain out of you on some shots, and it's obvious you are going to miss. This may be caused by the added pressure of videoing yourself, however, but you look a placid type of fellow to me, so it may be personality type more generally. Either way, you should really be attacking those balls with confidence, especially as that table looks, well, 'inviting' to say the least. I think lack of confidence is also leading to inconsistency - the 2 to the 3 in first rack was shocking, whilst the 2 to the 3 in the rack after it was superb.

I hope you don't take any of this personally - if people are brave enough to put this out there it is beholden on the viewer to speak candidly on what they see. FWIW you're a much better player than I had you down for, and could very easily be better still.

I suggest doing the drill I have linked below ahead of your BU stuff for now. This really does help you cue cleanly through the cue ball, which is the number one priority for anyone IMO. Drills like the BU should really be for those who have mastered HOW to hit the CB, not WHERE to hit it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeqaAdBSbbo&list=HL1387657135&feature=mh_lolz

Right, who's next? Gerry's going to do it - probably trying to get a perfect score. Therein lies madness...

Neil? Anyone else game enough?
 
Lol - madness yes, my friends would agree with that :)

Been busy with Christmas preparations - I will post one tonight for sure.

Is that you in the video? If so, nice stroke but that cloth has to be tough on the eyes.

Pathetic Shark said:
Cool, thanks. That was good to watch. I'll even let you off fouling the 7 ball in the first rack.;) What cue do you use - Predator 3k series?

You get a much better idea of how someone plays when seeing an unedited race like this. There are many things I don't like about your stroke, much of which you will be aware of, I'm sure. Whilst your drills and the BU are useful practice tools, I STRONGLY recommend practicing your fundamentals ahead of your practice routines. I think your height doesn't help you here - there are times when you look like a new born giraffe at the table, with arms and legs splayed everywhere. You lack stability in your stance, which will really become noticeable on power shots - work on your balance and coordination - you may need instruction here, or at least someone to see you up close to see where your balance points are. If someone can push you over with ease when you are on the shot, there's something wrong. Balance is hugely important in being able to stay perfectly still on the shot.

You should also be lower on the shot. Your chin should be on the cue, or no more than a hair above it. You also get down and then get up again too often. Make your mind up when stood up, and stick to it. The other glaring thing is a palpable lack of self confidence - you can see it drain out of you on some shots, and it's obvious you are going to miss. This may be caused by the added pressure of videoing yourself, however, but you look a placid type of fellow to me, so it may be personality type more generally. Either way, you should really be attacking those balls with confidence, especially as that table looks, well, 'inviting' to say the least. I think lack of confidence is also leading to inconsistency - the 2 to the 3 in first rack was shocking, whilst the 2 to the 3 in the rack after it was superb.

I hope you don't take any of this personally - if people are brave enough to put this out there it is beholden on the viewer to speak candidly on what they see. FWIW you're a much better player than I had you down for, and could very easily be better still.

I suggest doing the drill I have linked below ahead of your BU stuff for now. This really does help you cue cleanly through the cue ball, which is the number one priority for anyone IMO. Drills like the BU should really be for those who have mastered HOW to hit the CB, not WHERE to hit it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeqaAdBSbbo&list=HL1387657135&feature=mh_lolz

Right, who's next? Gerry's going to do it - probably trying to get a perfect score. Therein lies madness...

Neil? Anyone else game enough?
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Pathetic Shark said:
Cool, thanks. That was good to watch. I'll even let you off fouling the 7 ball in the first rack.;)
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Who said the 10-ball-ghost rules involve "all ball fouls?" :grin-square:

Pathetic Shark said:
What cue do you use - Predator 3k series?
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Predator Z-2.

Pathetic Shark said:
You get a much better idea of how someone plays when seeing an unedited race like this. There are many things I don't like about your stroke, much of which you will be aware of, I'm sure.
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When I watch my own videos, I see lots of things I don't like. Hopefully, watching the videos will help me be more aware of the things I want to improve.

Pathetic Shark said:
Whilst your drills and the BU are useful practice tools, I STRONGLY recommend practicing your fundamentals ahead of your practice routines.
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That's good advice.

Pathetic Shark said:
I think your height doesn't help you here - there are times when you look like a new born giraffe at the table, with arms and legs splayed everywhere. You lack stability in your stance, which will really become noticeable on power shots - work on your balance and coordination - you may need instruction here, or at least someone to see you up close to see where your balance points are. If someone can push you over with ease when you are on the shot, there's something wrong. Balance is hugely important in being able to stay perfectly still on the shot.
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My height (6' 3") does present some challenges for me, and I have changed my stance many times over the years, but I'm actually pretty happy with my current stance. I have lots of bend in my knees to make it easier for me to get my head low without discomfort. I don't think I have trouble with stability or staying still during the stroke, but I will look at this closer.

Pathetic Shark said:
You should also be lower on the shot. Your chin should be on the cue, or no more than a hair above it.
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I may not have my chin "on" the cue on all shots, but I certainly have it very close to the cue on most shots. I even touch my chin to the cue during my pre-shot routine (especially on tougher shots) to make sure my "vision center" is aligned properly. This actually helped my accuracy and consistency quite a bit when I started doing it last year.

Pathetic Shark said:
You also get down and then get up again too often. Make your mind up when stood up, and stick to it. The other glaring thing is a palpable lack of self confidence - you can see it drain out of you on some shots, and it's obvious you are going to miss. This may be caused by the added pressure of videoing yourself, however, but you look a placid type of fellow to me, so it may be personality type more generally. Either way, you should really be attacking those balls with confidence, especially as that table looks, well, 'inviting' to say the least. I think lack of confidence is also leading to inconsistency - the 2 to the 3 in first rack was shocking, whilst the 2 to the 3 in the rack after it was superb.
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I agree that I do often question myself; but believe me, if I didn't get up when I am unsure, the results would be much worse. I get up only when I am uncertain. When I get down on the shot for the last time, I try to have no doubt about my plan. Then I turn my mind off and focus on the stroke. Maybe as I develop and improve more, and gain more experience, I will have less doubt; but until I get to that point, I need to get up if I have any doubts while in my stance.

Pathetic Shark said:
I hope you don't take any of this personally - if people are brave enough to put this out there it is beholden on the viewer to speak candidly on what they see. FWIW you're a much better player than I had you down for, and could very easily be better still.
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I don't take it personally at all. In fact, I very much appreciate your advice and kind words. Honestly, I expected a lot worse from you. I also give you a little more credit than I might have given you before.

Pathetic Shark said:
I suggest doing the drill I have linked below ahead of your BU stuff for now. This really does help you cue cleanly through the cue ball, which is the number one priority for anyone IMO. Drills like the BU should really be for those who have mastered HOW to hit the CB, not WHERE to hit it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeqaAdBSbbo&list=HL1387657135&feature=mh_lolz
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That's a great idea. In fact, I do a similar drill often ... mostly to make sure my head and "vision center" are properly aligned. If I'm not careful, my alignment tends to drift back to where I used to align naturally, which was not my best "vision center" position. The long, straight shots definitely help identify "vision center" (and stroke) issues.

Pathetic Shark said:
Right, who's next?
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How about you? I know you have said you "can't be bothered" by this sort of thing, but I hope you will reconsider.

Pathetic Shark said:
Gerry's going to do it - probably trying to get a perfect score. Therein lies madness...
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I think you're right about Gerry. I definitely expect him to post a video with a perfect score (100) some day. I also expect him to raise the bar even higher on the BU Exams.

I also agree about the "madness." This is a good kind of "madness." Months ago, the BU Exams were inspiring me to practice. Now, I think my new "madness" will be the 10-ball ghost.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
Gerry Williams said:
Lol - madness yes, my friends would agree with that :)

Been busy with Christmas preparations - I will post one tonight for sure.

Is that you in the video? If so, nice stroke but that cloth has to be tough on the eyes.
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No, not me, but I do play on the same coloured cloth and love it!

The reason I linked that drill is I saw someone go from virtual beginner to your standard in less than 18 months by doing that drill nearly all day, every day. I'm a firm believer in the notion the game is 99% stroke. Hit the CB good and you'll play good. Hit the CB poorly and everything else becomes irrelevant.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=340362&highlight=stroke+drill
 
I finally tried some of these today. Only did the first two drills in Exam II/Doctorate Level.

It was a bit humbling to say the least, but I was able to get through them after a few tries. If I were to take the exam right now, I believe my score would be on the lower side. Tomorrow, I'm going to try a few more of the drills.
 
BeiberLvr said:
I finally tried some of these today. Only did the first two drills in Exam II/Doctorate Level.

It was a bit humbling to say the least, but I was able to get through them after a few tries. If I were to take the exam right now, I believe my score would be on the lower side. Tomorrow, I'm going to try a few more of the drills.
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Work on Exam I first so you will know which Exam II is appropriate for you. For more info, see the BU Exam resource page.

And when you are done with an entire run through, please post your scores on the AZB BU thread, where others have their results posted. If video is possible, please include that also.

Catch you later,
Dave
 
dr_dave said:
Work on Exam I first so you will know which Exam II is appropriate for you. For more info, see the BU Exam resource page.

And when you are done with an entire run through, please post your scores on the AZB BU thread, where others have their results posted. If video is possible, please include that also.

Catch you later,
Dave
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Okay, I'll try Exam I tomorrow. Looking at it right now, the two I think I'll have the toughest time with are the last two (Wagon Wheel and Grid Target).
 
Pathetic Shark said:
No, not me, but I do play on the same coloured cloth and love it!

The reason I linked that drill is I saw someone go from virtual beginner to your standard in less than 18 months by doing that drill nearly all day, every day. I'm a firm believer in the notion the game is 99% stroke. Hit the CB good and you'll play good. Hit the CB poorly and everything else becomes irrelevant.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=340362&highlight=stroke+drill
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Do you realize that drill, or actually a tougher version of it, is on the fundamentals exam?
 
As far as Dr. Dave getting up off the shot, that is what one is supposed to do. One should not get down and then start fidgeting to get on the shot line. If you see you are off line, you should always get up and realign yourself correctly.
 
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