Thanks for the reply. That's the kind of answer I was looking for.
I still hold my ground that a test that focuses only on making balls is NOT a good way to represent a player's skill level for a pro tour. Other than that, I like everything Glen has put out there. It's just my strong opinion that qualifiers before each event would be much better.
If he still feels like a test of some sort is better, then I would highly recommend a test in the format of Dr. Dave's BU Exam. Something that takes into account all facets of the game...
- Shotmaking
- CB control
- Pattern play
- Stroke
- Safety
- Breaking
- Jumping
- Kicking
- Banking
There is no real way to measure a players ability to win based on how strong his heart is and determination to win, that is reserved for inside the ring so to speak.
But, everything you listed above skill level wise IS tested in the course of this skill level testing. Shotmaking, CB control, Pattern play, Stroke, Breaking, Jumping if out of line, kicking if out of line, and Banking if out of line.
300 balls must be made, that's 20 full racks @ 15 balls to a rack, with the last 5 balls of each rack having to be made in rotation to get a par/even score card, which means if you never missed a ball....you'd have a score of "0" and the only way you could even get an under par score is by making balls on the breaks, with each ball being worth one extra point. Miss anytime during any rack....and that rack is over. Scratch on the break and that rack is over...score recieved....0 for that rack. Break and DON'T have a shot, take a flyer and don't make a ball....rack over, score 0. You only get 20 breaks, 20 misses...and 300 balls to score a 400, which is par...even. Scratch on the break and you're already at 15+ over par.
There is WAY to many players who don't care about winning in a lot of these events, what they're really playing for...is a chance to play one of the PRO'S that they would NEVER get the chance to play otherwise, which is the MAIN reason that PROFESSIONAL pool does NOT exist today. Earl, Shane, Johnny, Mika...and all the rest of the PRO'S should NOT have to stoop to playing in tournaments that are full of players that CAN'T win, playing much shorter races in order to give the lesser players a chance to beat a PRO, playing "Let's take turns breaking"...so that lesser players have at least ONE chance to play every OTHER game.
All my idea does, is weed out those that CAN play, from all those that CAN'T. NO traveling is needed, no expenses need to be paid out for hotels, air fares or anything else....ALL a player needs to do, is take a little test on a test table, pay the fee to submit the test results, then look on line to see if they made the cut or not, THEN if they DID make the cut, then they could decide if they want to take the NEXT step and play in the PRO'S only tournament....it's really simple. Now, when it comes to playing AGAINST other PRO'S...that's what the viewers are WAITING to see, WANT to see, and CAN'T wait to see.
Yes, it'll draw the line between Semi-Pro, identify what a "Short stop" is, and make everyone in the whole world....realize just exactly where they stand when it comes to being a PRO.
And the NEXT time a player comes on AZ with a new thread asking...."I'm thinking about turning Pro, how good do I have to play to play with the PRO's?"....well then, everyone can tell them to go find a Diamond 5'x10' ProAm, pay your fee to take the "PRO" test....then get back to us to let us know how you did!!!
Catagory's can be made out of the testing scores for example:
Pro male's
Pro female's
Pro's over 55 years old.
Semi-Pro level
Advanced player level
Intermediate level players
Amature players
Juniors 18 @ under....ect. The list goes on and on, one is only limited by ones imagination as to how this kind of testing can help improve this sport overall.
Hell, even at $25 per test per person, including retesting in oder to improve ones standings....would add up into the $1,000's of dollars....all payable to ONE fund, yet the scoreing can be used to determine players ranking to include or exclude players from local tournaments...if room owners all over the country, and world for that matter REQUIRED ALL players to take a $25 skill level test before playing in any LOCAL tournaments.....WOO HOOO....PROFESSIONAL POOL HAS A FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON!!!
Glen
PS. I have a lot more on this, such as where the money is paid to, who it's paid to, and how it's paid out....because everything being done today is wrong and broken by all those that are currently in controll of pool tournaments world wide.