How to evaluate my progress? 9-ball vs BU exam (or others?)

SamLambert

SamLambert

Daydreaming about pool
Silver Member
Hello!

Some of you may be aware that I want to track my progress over the next years and I wish to do so on video.

I am still trying to figure out the best way to do so.

I think I am leaning more toward the BU exam as it seems to be more thorough, but I feel it misses some important things you only see by playing, such as shot selection. I also feel that I will eventually be "used" to the exam and the scores won't be representative of my real skill level, just because I would then "know" the shots.

So what do you think? 10ish games of 9-ball or BU exam? Or any other idea?

Thanks!
 
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Play straight pool...
...rack up 14 balls and give yourself a good break ball.
I like this method because you'll learn a lot of shots and patterns.

...and the game won't lie to you...as your runs get longer you will know you're improving.

Talk to Alain Martel about this...my favorite Canadian straight pool player.
 
pt109 said:
Play straight pool...
...rack up 14 balls and give yourself a good break ball.
I like this method because you'll learn a lot of shots and patterns.

...and the game won't lie to you...as your runs get longer you will know you're improving.

Talk to Alain Martel about this...my favorite Canadian straight pool player.
Click to expand...

You mean 14.1? I must be getting the game names confused.

I like the idea though!

IIRC, Alain has a high run above 400. Something like 403 or 407? Crazy.
 
Hey Sam,

The bu exams go over shot selection in the pattern play section.

I think the bu exams would be best as they will show where you need improvement when you start and also how much you have improved in those problem areas as you update your blog.

Cheers,

Chris

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
 
SamLambert said:
You mean 14.1? I must be getting the game names confused.

I like the idea though!

IIRC, Alain has a high run above 400. Something like 403 or 407? Crazy.
Click to expand...

Yeah, straight pool is 14.1....
...I'm thinking it inherited it's name from the old way of playing which is also known as
line-up....a lot of the old Quebecers were excellent line-up players.
 
SamLambert said:
Hello!

Some of you may be aware that I want to track my progress over the next years and I wish to do so on video.

I am still trying to figure out the best way to do so.

I think I am leaning more toward the BU exam as it seems to be more thorough, but I feel it misses some important things you only see by playing, such as shot selection. I also feel that I will eventually be "used" to the exam and the scores won't be representative of my real skill level, just because I would then "know" the shots.

So what do you think? 10ish games of 9-ball or BU exam? Or any other idea?

Thanks!
Click to expand...



I've been taking lessons from a local pro......from what he's teaching me, you need both.

- You need the drills with constant awareness of what you're doing in your fundamentals as you're doing the drills.

- Then you need to not analyze and just play......nine ball ghost, straight pool ghost, other players etc...


Spending an equal amount of time on both, in 3 hour chunks. One day 3 hours of drills with constant self analysis........Next day, 3 hours of playing games, not over analyzing, just trusting your instincts.
 
Wheels33 said:
I've been taking lessons from a local pro......from what he's teaching me, you need both.



- You need the drills with constant awareness of what you're doing in your fundamentals as you're doing the drills.



- Then you need to not analyze and just play......nine ball ghost, straight pool ghost, other players etc...





Spending an equal amount of time on both, in 3 hour chunks. One day 3 hours of drills with constant self analysis........Next day, 3 hours of playing games, not over analyzing, just trusting your instincts.
Click to expand...


I meant for a short 1-hour-ish video! Thanks for the advice though.
 
SamLambert said:
I meant for a short 1-hour-ish video! Thanks for the advice though.
Click to expand...

Haha....my bad.


That will teach me to try doing two things at once and not skim read the original post.


Then I'd agree with the others, according to my instructor, the straight pool ghost is the best one to do.
 
The ten ball ghost on an at least medium tight 9 footer will show you what you need to work on, and be a pretty good measurement of how good you really are. Straight pool will do that too. If you can beat the 10 ball ghost every now and then, you are at least a decent B player.
 
caff3in3 said:
Hey Sam,

The bu exams go over shot selection in the pattern play section.

I think the bu exams would be best as they will show where you need improvement when you start and also how much you have improved in those problem areas as you update your blog.

Cheers,

Chris

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



I'll second this one.. ;) Go with BU
 
pt109 said:
Play straight pool...
...rack up 14 balls and give yourself a good break ball.
I like this method because you'll learn a lot of shots and patterns.

...and the game won't lie to you...as your runs get longer you will know you're improving.

Talk to Alain Martel about this...my favorite Canadian straight pool player.
Click to expand...

Thank you ....I didn't have to read far to find what I was about to write. This is the way to go.

What do you learn of progress if the balls fall lucky a half dozen times, the 9 goes on the break a few times and lays near a pocket a few times.

The game is a joke. It's a gambling game and you should focus on playing only after you have become proficient playing real pool, and that was ... is ... and will always be straight pool.

Play the carnival games after you gain your skills.
 
I think the best way is not to limit yourself to just one single method to track your progress.

In school, do we use one test (say math) to measure your math, english, verbal, and history skills? Same with pool. Playing the ghost is a great way to measure your offensive ability, but doesn't account for safeties. 14.1 is great for progress in position play, but if you can consistently make a ball at 14-20 inches does it represent your shotmaking ability?

If you want to validate your skills, then you can't rely on just one test. Practice 9-ball ghost and 14.1, along other known skills tests. Just be aware of what each is measuring, and the limitations. Just like applying to college, they don't judge you solely on SAT scores. You also submit your high school transcripts, and take ACT exams.
 
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I would recommend tracking your scores over time in the BU playing-ability Exams, the 10-ball-ghost drill, and the 15-ball-rotation rating drill (if you are up for it). If you do, please post your scores on the AZB BU sticky thread, where others have posted scores and videos for these drills. Consider posting scores now, and then again in the future so we can see how much you can improve over time with dedicated practice.

Good luck,
Dave

PS: If you were going to pick only one of the three, I'd recommend the BU Exams since they provide an efficient, comprehensive, and fun workout of all important pool skills.


SamLambert said:
Hello!

Some of you may be aware that I want to track my progress over the next years and I wish to do so on video.

I am still trying to figure out the best way to do so.

I think I am leaning more toward the BU exam as it seems to be more thorough, but I feel it misses some important things you only see by playing, such as shot selection. I also feel that I will eventually be "used" to the exam and the scores won't be representative of my real skill level, just because I would then "know" the shots.

So what do you think? 10ish games of 9-ball or BU exam? Or any other idea?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Progressive practice drills are an excellent way to track your progress with specific skills - they "keep score" for you so you can see where you stand clearly and objectively. Many of them are described in Bob Jewett's downloadable pdf at SFBilliards.com - Progressive Practice Drills.

Another beauty of progressive drills is that you can invent your own to work on shots/skills of your choosing.

pj
chgo
 
A lot of good drills and suggestions in this thread.

I'd add a few ideas:

1. Rotate a wide range of drill ideas, to expand experiences and to make practice challenging.

2. Become adapt at developing your own drills. Say you see a shot that you wouldn't be comfortable to play. Try to set up a drill around such a shot, such that it challenges you to play it from a range of angles, spins and speeds.

3. Skim a lot of the threads posted here over the years related to drills and systems. There is some gold among the dust.

Colin
 
Colin Colenso said:
A lot of good drills and suggestions in this thread.

I'd add a few ideas:

1. Rotate a wide range of drill ideas, to expand experiences and to make practice challenging.

2. Become adapt at developing your own drills. Say you see a shot that you wouldn't be comfortable to play. Try to set up a drill around such a shot, such that it challenges you to play it from a range of angles, spins and speeds.

3. Skim a lot of the threads posted here over the years related to drills and systems. There is some gold among the dust.

Colin
Click to expand...
Good post. For those interested, the drill resource page contains and links to many of the good drills posted online over the years.

Also, the Video Encyclopedia of Pool Practice (VEEP) includes drills and challenge games for every skill in pool. VEPP also includes advice and examples of how to create drills for your problem areas.

Regards,
Dave
 
Don't practice just to test your offensive ability. How many players playing the ghost stop when they miss a shot? What if you should have played a safety? Also does anyone change cue balls once in a while when they practice I would also get a variety of cue balls balls to practice with. Each may play a little different. I would also venture out and try to practice on different tables. Each play differently. Easy to practice at home but then you go out to play and your like what the heck. Yup different cue ball, cloth, humidity etc. Don't forget breaking.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
jburkm002 said:
How many players playing the ghost stop when they miss a shot?
Click to expand...
Whenever you have a shot that's low percentage, switch to "playing the safety ghost" and shoot a safety. Count it as a "made shot" if you successfully hide the OB from a direct hit. Count the shot from there as a "made shot" if you hit the OB. See if you can get back into the "offensive ghost" game before you miss a safety or kick.

pj
chgo
 
3andstop said:
Thank you ....I didn't have to read far to find what I was about to write. This is the way to go.

What do you learn of progress if the balls fall lucky a half dozen times, the 9 goes on the break a few times and lays near a pocket a few times.

The game is a joke. It's a gambling game and you should focus on playing only after you have become proficient playing real pool, and that was ... is ... and will always be straight pool.

Play the carnival games after you gain your skills.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. For one year, he should dedicate himself to drills and fundamentals.
Don't even rack a game.
Invest some money and seek out a great instructor to see twice a year.

Also seek out great training material (Dr. DAVE'S stuff is excellent)
I also recommend Bert Kinnister website bertkinister.com get a subscription and watch videos (take notes!)

Or...

Get acquainted with the German training courses PAT level 1 - 3 the videos and workbooks are excellent.
Ralph Eckert told me he has taken all of that information and now fully backs the Check Billiard app (http://www.checkbilliard.com/en/) for taking your progression into a real time progressive results drill regiment.

To the OP, whatever you choose, stick with it and see it to the finish.
 
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