How Does Your Potting Rate - Potting Test.

Neil said:
My printer doesn't work, so I drew it out and brought it downstairs. The lines look confusing until you actually LOOK at them, then they aren't. I have a valley barbox with 4 1/8" pockets all around. Nap cloth. (Iknow, nobody usues that anymore, anyone want to donate for a decent cloth for me??:D ) I feel that 99% of my misses were due to a crooked stroke. I tried it cold, without warming up.

1R-4, 1L-4
2R-5, 2L-4
3R-4, 3L-4
4R-4, 4L-4
5R-5, 5L-5
6R-5, 6L-5
7R-4, 7L-5
8R-5, 8L-4 Total-71

I used the fractional aiming method on this test.
1-edge of ferrule to edge of ball
2-cb center to edge of ball
3-hair off off straight on
4-cb center to 1/4 ball (cb center to ob center, then 1/2 way over from center to get 1/4 ball)
5-1/4 ball
6-cb center to edge
7-1/4 ball
8-cb center to edge

This test should be easier on a 9' table. Most shots I was shooting off the end rail. And I don't feel that this particular test equates to rankings to well. I'm an A player, but no pro for sure.

That's damn fine shooting imho Neil. I wouldn't be too hopeful if I left you an open shot in a game. I hope you don't put others off with that high score. I'd guess it takes a pretty decent shooter to make 50%. None of these shots are gimmes.

I was a bit concerned that there are so many shots where the bridge is close to the rail, but the alternative would seem to be simple pots or a lot of tough cut shots. In game play, I think we're less likely to take tough cuts as often as it is hard to control the CB on those shots. Hence I put in a few tricky cuts and the rest are longish shots.

Hope some others will put some scores up. I'd have a go but I bruised some ribs a couple of days ago and am still struggling a bit. Maybe in a couple of days.

Colin
 
Hey Colin,

I got a 66 and didn?t keep real good score on which ones I missed but by memory I missed;
4 of the #1?s which I believe is really is to do (these are really #7?s by the way;))
2 of the spot shots (4 ??s)
1 of the #3
1 of the #4 (which are #3?s)
0 on the 5?s
2 on the 6?s with 1 miscue, I was drawing these firmly
1 on the 7?s & dogged 3 shots on the 8?s (CID is a small factor on this one)

I was a little tired and watching 1 pocket. I think if I bet 70 I would win about 60%.
I think you should pick 8 shots in the 1 and 2 category to get a feel for how accurate people are. This one for me is 90% based on 2 maybe 3 shots for me. But thanks again and as usually you?re producing.
 
Great report

Joe T said:
Hey Colin,

I got a 66 and didn?t keep real good score on which ones I missed but by memory I missed;
4 of the #1?s which I believe is really is to do (these are really #7?s by the way;))
2 of the spot shots (4 ??s)
1 of the #3
1 of the #4 (which are #3?s)
0 on the 5?s
2 on the 6?s with 1 miscue, I was drawing these firmly
1 on the 7?s & dogged 3 shots on the 8?s (CID is a small factor on this one)

I was a little tired and watching 1 pocket. I think if I bet 70 I would win about 60%.
I think you should pick 8 shots in the 1 and 2 category to get a feel for how accurate people are. This one for me is 90% based on 2 maybe 3 shots for me. But thanks again and as usually you?re producing.

Thanks for the detailed report Joe! Can't believe you miscued one. lol That just shows that pool always finds new ways to try us. ;)

Anyone who has done a lot of scoring drills knows that results can vary quite a bit depending on how you feel, whether you've tuned up and how hard you're trying and sometimes it's a bit like a game of craps and you get on a good run.

It's good to know the shots are challenging enough that a great player like yourself can miss 14 from 80 (82.5%). I've no doubt you'd often shoot this drill in the 70s.

I'm not sure what you mean about picking 8 shots in the 1 & 2 category?

Colin
 
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SpiderWebComm said:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8312487248327533414&hl=en

I shot 2 of each. I'm too a.d.d. to shoot 40 shots. Shot #1 was the hardest, I thought.
I was just about to put that up here Spidey!

Here's my response to your video, copied and pasted from another thread.
------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
Are you trying to make Mike Sigel and Efren, from the IPT King of the Hill final look bad? lol

Damn fine shooting. 15/16 (Official Score). I know you re-shot the spot shot and made it after the first brain fade. Good to know you're human.

So 15/16 would translate to 75/80 or about 94% if you could keep that up for the long version of the test which is 5 pots into each pocket and all those same shots played into the opposite corner.

I reckon any top pro would think himself in top shape if he potted like that in his pre-match warm up.

I do fear you'll scare everyone away from the test making it look that easy

A couple of observations:
1. You seem to like medium speed stun for a few of those longer shots. Do you play these with a hair of OE? (Because they create significant CIT). If not, do you ever notice that you tend to overcut those same shots when you hit them with follow or a lot of draw?

2. I did notice a little outside swoop at 12.25. This indicates that you are taking in where you feel the OB is headed and adjusting sometimes. That shot actually was over cut a little which probably means the swoop took it off a better line. - so cut that out... *waves finger* ;-)

I also noticed a couple of times, such as your last shot, that you poked a bit hesitantly, a little stiff, so it seems there's still a little self doubt about either the alignment or the stroke. (Thank god your human - again).

I don't say that to pick on you, I just see that if you work that out of your game it will do wonders for your positional play. Nothing destroys positional play more than a tense stroke.

Anyway, great shooting. Most of those shots make a top player think twice looking for an easier option. Knocking in 16/17 with the camera on is bloody impressive.

I'll be happy with 12/16 or 60/80. Waiting for some badly bruised ribs to feel better so don't rush me.

Colin
 
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Colin Colenso said:
I was just about to put that up here Spidey!

Here's my response to your video, copied and pasted from another thread.
------------------------------------------------------
Dave,
Are you trying to make Mike Sigel and Efren, from the IPT King of the Hill final look bad? lol

Damn fine shooting. 15/16 (Official Score). I know you re-shot the spot shot and made it after the first brain fade. Good to know you're human.

So 15/16 would translate to 75/80 or about 94% if you could keep that up for the long version of the test which is 5 pots into each pocket and all those same shots played into the opposite corner.

I reckon any top pro would think himself in top shape if he potted like that in his pre-match warm up.

I do fear you'll scare everyone away from the test making it look that easy

A couple of observations:
1. You seem to like medium speed stun for a few of those longer shots. Do you play these with a hair of OE? (Because they create significant CIT). If not, do you ever notice that you tend to overcut those same shots when you hit them with follow or a lot of draw?

2. I did notice a little outside swoop at 12.25. This indicates that you are taking in where you feel the OB is headed and adjusting sometimes. That shot actually was over cut a little which probably means the swoop took it off a better line. - so cut that out... *waves finger* ;-)

I also noticed a couple of times, such as your last shot, that you poked a bit hesitantly, a little stiff, so it seems there's still a little self doubt about either the alignment or the stroke. (Thank god your human - again).

I don't say that to pick on you, I just see that if you work that out of your game it will do wonders for your positional play. Nothing destroys positional play more than a tense stroke.

Anyway, great shooting. Most of those shots make a top player think twice looking for an easier option. Knocking in 16/17 with the camera on is bloody impressive.

I'll be happy with 12/16 or 60/80. Waiting for some badly bruised ribs to feel better so don't rush me.

Colin

1) I tried to stay as close to the center as possible on every single shot. When I air-pivoted, I just stopped about a tip shy of center to impart a hair of outside...just helps cinch it.

2) Swooping: I don't mind it. I can't stroke straight, so I rarely try. I play my crooked stroke, if that makes sense. I am getting better at the straightness though.

3) I kinda poked towards the very end because I knew I was nearly done and doing well. I poked because of my stroke--- I was "trying" to stroke straight instead of it being natural. If I stroked like you or Joe, I'd be SO happy.

I'll do the other side over the weekend. It's my weak side (which is why I started on this side first).

I hope more people post videos - I would really like to see how they approach their shots.

Dave
 
Joe T said:
the 1st 2 shots 1&2 demand the most accuracy. (I believe)
I was thinking of making 5, 7 and 8 tougher angles. Maybe I can set up a super challenge after this one.

I think this test is still very challenging for players who struggle with their potting.

I think this test is good for D through B players who can use it as a guide to see where their potting is at. Some might start at around 30 out of 80 and climb up into the 50s as they improve their potting. I think once a player can shoot a 60 they're ready to start working in their positional skills a lot more. If you're in the 40's you should be working on the basics until you can pot accurately enough to control the CB.

For better players, it is probably more instructive to use a test that incorporates positional accuracy. There is a test like that about, I forget what it's called. The Europeans use it a bit.

Colin
 
Colin Colenso said:
I was thinking of making 5, 7 and 8 tougher angles. Maybe I can set up a super challenge after this one.

I think this test is still very challenging for players who struggle with their potting.

I think this test is good for D through B players who can use it as a guide to see where their potting is at. Some might start at around 30 out of 80 and climb up into the 50s as they improve their potting. I think once a player can shoot a 60 they're ready to start working in their positional skills a lot more. If you're in the 40's you should be working on the basics until you can pot accurately enough to control the CB.

For better players, it is probably more instructive to use a test that incorporates positional accuracy. There is a test like that about, I forget what it's called. The Europeans use it a bit.

Colin

I don't think you need a super-challenge. Anything harder than this and no one would shoot them in a match. I think this is a good test.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
I don't think you need a super-challenge. Anything harder than this and no one would shoot them in a match. I think this is a good test.
It's definitely a good test but I don't agree with anything harder in a game part because I believe almost all of these shots are harder or at least in the 1 & 2 catagory and I don't believe you would pass on any of them if it was your money ball Dave. You better not if I'm bettin on you:)
http://www.joetucker.net/aiming_workout_1st_half.htm
 
Neil

Yes, I, Dave(sub-banger)am going to try it, though, like Cleary, the diagram makes my head swim. I have it printed out. Ha, one up on you there, my printer works, both of them.

My table is a Brunswick VIP 8 ft. The corner pockets are shimmed slightly and measure 4.75. The side pockets are huge, they measure 5.5, how come I miss so many side pocket shots? The cloth is Simonis 760 about a year old. The balls are Arimith Super Pro, fairly new and fresh out of a genuine Joe Waldron polisher.

I will post my results asap.

Dave Nelson
 
Joe T said:
It's definitely a good test but I don't agree with anything harder in a game part because I believe almost all of these shots are harder or at least in the 1 & 2 catagory and I don't believe you would pass on any of them if it was your money ball Dave. You better not if I'm bettin on you:)
http://www.joetucker.net/aiming_workout_1st_half.htm

I hope if you're betting on me, I never have any of these shots or I'd be embarrassed in front of one of my teachers :)
 
SpiderWebComm said:
I hope if you're betting on me, I never have any of these shots or I'd be embarrassed in front of one of my teachers :)
Just believe and we'll collect.
 
Bye the way, where do you take pocket measurements, at the rail points or at the pocket threshold?

Dave Nelson
 
Looks like a straight forward test. With the exception of 1 or 2 shots, this shouldn't be too tough.

Dave, show me how to upload a vid and I'll do it this weekend, when I have time to get to the table. Hopefully, Colin won't "red rep" me again :p


Eric
 
Eric. said:
Looks like a straight forward test. With the exception of 1 or 2 shots, this shouldn't be too tough.

Dave, show me how to upload a vid and I'll do it this weekend, when I have time to get to the table. Hopefully, Colin won't "red rep" me again :p


Eric

Just connect a webcam to your computer and use Windows Movie Maker. Click capture video then OK OK OK and then click start. When you're done, click finish. File>>>save movie file. Go to video.google.com, create an account, click UPLOAD VIDEO...fill out basic form and browse to your movie file and click OK. Copy/paste the link of the video in a post.

Dave
 
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