Drills to determine skill level

[fish2]

Any suggestions for a Drill that should last 20 minutes (is this enough ?) or so to determine a players skill level ?. I know there is a comprehensive drill somewhere on this site, but I think that is too long and complex, we only have 1 table to do the selection process.

Objective is to choose players that would represent the company in an upcoming tournaments.

 

[Donny Lutz]

drills

Any suggestions for a Drill that should last 20 minutes (is this enough ?) or so to determine a players skill level ?. I know there is a comprehensive drill somewhere on this site, but I think that is too long and complex, we only have 1 table to do the selection process.

Objective is to choose players that would represent the company in an upcoming tournaments.

Drills are generally taken to mean repeating correct methods of executing shots. They do not tell one as much as a test involving a variety of basic skills for the instructor to watch and evaluate.

In other words, I have students perform shots from a basic stance, from off the rail and from over a ball. I have them stop the CB dead from various distances, and follow similarly. I have them shoot hard and soft. I have them break the balls once or twice. I pick out the particular things that need to be worked on, show the student how to perform them correctly and then advise them to repeat the shots in practice...these are the "drills".

It's like classroom teaching. A written test tells the student where they need work. Reading the text book would be the equivalent of "drills"...that's when you learn by doing the right thing.

 

[fish2]

How about playing against the ghost ?

 

[Pidge]

It shows your u offensive game but does not show the true picture. Below short stop speed a lot of racks and sets end up with a drawn out safety battle and there are not many break and runs. So while your offense might be at an A speed the rest of your game could be at a C, meaning your overall rating would be around a B... Maybe a B-. I'm a believer that you're only as good as the weakest link. If you're safety is a C and it's the worst aspect of your game I'd rate that person a C.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Any suggestions for a Drill that should last 20 minutes (is this enough ?) or so to determine a players skill level ?. I know there is a comprehensive drill somewhere on this site, but I think that is too long and complex, we only have 1 table to do the selection process.

Objective is to choose players that would represent the company in an upcoming tournaments.

I assume you are referring to the Billiard University set of drills.

Here is a much shorter version: http://www.sfbilliards.com/Misc/progpract.pdf
Read through the whole thing. Have someone you think is representative of the level you want to select shoot the shots on one of the pages, for example level 2 with diagrams 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. Shoot 10 shots for each of the four diagrams. Your test case should be able to get to position 4 on average for the four shots or the level is too hard, and you can back off to level 1 for the rest of the people.

With only 40 shots you can finish in 20 minutes per person if the tester handles the ball placements.

As mentioned above, this is not a perfect way to measure match performance but it does test basic skills.

Once you get the players rated, you could start playing a ladder tournament to establish playing ability better. (Ladder is a list from top to bottom, a lower player can challenge a higher player and takes over his spot if he beats him. There are other details, like how many challenges can be issued.)

 

[Bob Jewett]

It shows your u offensive game but does not show the true picture. Below short stop speed a lot of racks and sets end up with a drawn out safety battle and there are not many break and runs. So while your offense might be at an A speed the rest of your game could be at a C, meaning your overall rating would be around a B... Maybe a B-. I'm a believer that you're only as good as the weakest link. If you're safety is a C and it's the worst aspect of your game I'd rate that person a C.

Well, yes, but he wants a quick test. The players probably want it to be clearly objective. If it is for selecting typical company players, they are probably all over the place skill-wise and self-evaluation-wise.

It would be best to have some kind of local tournament, but I think the skill test above is fine for this purpose and a lot faster.

 

[FranCrimi]

Any suggestions for a Drill that should last 20 minutes (is this enough ?) or so to determine a players skill level ?. I know there is a comprehensive drill somewhere on this site, but I think that is too long and complex, we only have 1 table to do the selection process.

Objective is to choose players that would represent the company in an upcoming tournaments.

Hold a couple of mini tournaments. The better players will rise to the top. You want players who compete well, not necessarily players who can do drills well or take skill tests well. Sometimes players with outstanding abilities will freeze under pressure.

 

[Pidge]

Well, yes, but he wants a quick test. The players probably want it to be clearly objective. If it is for selecting typical company players, they are probably all over the place skill-wise and self-evaluation-wise.

It would be best to have some kind of local tournament, but I think the skill test above is fine for this purpose and a lot faster.

I still say the safety tests are the way to go for starting a new team. Safety at a league level wins you more games than running out does.

If it were up to me I'd just have a game or two of killer. It involves tactics and shot making and the better players will always be the last left in.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

...a game or two of killer.

What's killer?

pj
chgo

 

[fish2]

What's killer?

pj
chgo

3 players, each is designated a set of balls, 1-5. 6-10. 11-15 , your objective is to pocket your opponents balls. Last balls standing wins :grin:

 

[Bob Jewett]

3 players, each is designated a set of balls, 1-5. 6-10. 11-15 , your objective is to pocket your opponents balls. Last balls standing wins :grin:

I think that's called cutthroat.

 

[Pidge]

What's killer?

pj
chgo

It isn't cutthroat.

You break a rack of 15.if you have 5 players in a game you create an order of play, by using a 5 man lag for example. You can shoot any ball in any order. Each player has for example 3 chances. If you miss or foul you lose a chance. Once you lose 3 chances you're out and the remaining players continue. You just keep racking the balls until 1 player is left. First, you have to able to pot and make shots so it tests your shot making. Next it can be quite tactical because you have to think about the next shot and n9t leave your opponent something easy... So positional play and tactics play a part. The better players usually end up left, especially in larger games of 10 or more people.

I normally play with friends for who buys the next round or what ever. You can add things like the 8 ball gives you an extra chance or you can only pot stripes first then solids after or even then odd. It's quick, fun and like I said the better players always make it to the end especially with a larger field.

 

[BilliardsAbout]

It isn't cutthroat.

You break a rack of 15.if you have 5 players in a game you create an order of play, by using a 5 man lag for example. You can shoot any ball in any order. Each player has for example 3 chances. If you miss or foul you lose a chance. Once you lose 3 chances you're out and the remaining players continue. You just keep racking the balls until 1 player is left. First, you have to able to pot and make shots so it tests your shot making. Next it can be quite tactical because you have to think about the next shot and n9t leave your opponent something easy... So positional play and tactics play a part. The better players usually end up left, especially in larger games of 10 or more people.

I normally play with friends for who buys the next round or what ever. You can add things like the 8 ball gives you an extra chance or you can only pot stripes first then solids after or even then odd. It's quick, fun and like I said the better players always make it to the end especially with a larger field.

Interesting stuff. A player takes three innings in a row? How do you determine shooting order? Thanks.

 

[Pidge]

Interesting stuff. A player takes three innings in a row? How do you determine shooting order? Thanks.

No, each player shoots only one shot before passing over to the next, regardless of if they pot a ball or not.

Shooting order is determined by a lag. If say you have 3 players you lag and the player closest to the rail goes first, then so on and the player furthest away goes last. The first player breaks the balls and if it's a dry break they then commenced their turn to try pot a ball. Not making a ball on the break does not mean you lose a chance.