How Does Your Potting Rate - Potting Test.

I took the test. I almost wish that I hadn't. Generally I'm not embarrassed by my performance. I never claimed too be a pool player, just a guy who likes to play pool, and I'm too embarrassed to post my score. I suppose if I practiced these particular shots that I could improve my score, but would that mean that my game had improved? I'm not sure of that.

Dave Nelson
 
Dave Nelson said:
I took the test. I almost wish that I hadn't. Generally I'm not embarrassed by my performance. I never claimed too be a pool player, just a guy who likes to play pool, and I'm too embarrassed to post my score. I suppose if I practiced these particular shots that I could improve my score, but would that mean that my game had improved? I'm not sure of that.

Dave Nelson
don't be embarrassed, your score is what it is. Post it now and then post it again in 3 weeks, again in 3 months and then we can all be proud of your improvement.
I get this all the time in my aiming workout people. They miss 300-400 shots and don't want to score it and they miss out on seeing 3 or 4 hundred misses turn into 100.
 
Thanks Joe

Here it is

1R 0 1L 3
2R 3 2L 2
3R 2 3L 0
4R 0 4L 2
5R 2 5L 1
6R 2 6L 1
7R 4 7L 5
8R 2 8L 3
15 17
32
As you can see, when I shifted from R to L I picked up 2 balls. I attribute this just to being warmed up by that time.

Dave Nelson
 
Dave Nelson said:
Thanks Joe

Here it is

1R 0 1L 3
2R 3 2L 2
3R 2 3L 0
4R 0 4L 2
5R 2 5L 1
6R 2 6L 1
7R 4 7L 5
8R 2 8L 3
15 17
32
As you can see, when I shifted from R to L I picked up 2 balls. I attribute this just to being warmed up by that time.

Dave Nelson

Good job my man. And 32 isn't really that bad and I bet you could cut those misses in half and develop a real good relationship with these shots in less than a month if you apply yourself to doing so. I'll be waiting for the 16 miss report for Christmas.
Matter a fact I think you inspired me to take the test again today to improve upon my 1st score. Happy training Dave and
remember, Luck is when preparation meets opportunity!
 
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
Hey Eric,

Good to have you in.

I've probably given 5 red reps in 5+ years here. Obviously I thought hassling Dave was out of line because I think he is one of the hardest working in so far as contributing and encouraging knowledge in pool.

That said, I suspect you have a lot to add. I don't hold grudges too tightly. Most of us fall prey to picking on someone from time to time.

Colin
 
Dave Nelson said:
Thanks Joe

Here it is

1R 0 1L 3
2R 3 2L 2
3R 2 3L 0
4R 0 4L 2
5R 2 5L 1
6R 2 6L 1
7R 4 7L 5
8R 2 8L 3
15 17
32
As you can see, when I shifted from R to L I picked up 2 balls. I attribute this just to being warmed up by that time.

Dave Nelson
Good on you Dave for putting your scores up. I know this test isn't easy for someone who hasn't refined their potting. It's not hard to hit the balls ok but to see many of them catch the jaws.

I know a lot of guys who think they shoot ok who would struggle to get that score. Your game will benefit most with some work on your potting, so hope you'll work on these shots and put up a 40 or more soon.

Colin
 
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best take a lesson before these drills(eddie Charlton)

Looks like the drills from Eddie Charlton-the complete bk of snooker. practice these drills 2 hrs a day(each shot) I'm addicted to pool but snooker is much more challenging (always ) I get to play on a brunsw- 5-10. potting is good for nine ball. You'll need some help from Scott Lee. I came in with a stroke, (stroke verification) and your on your way. After 35 yrs of playing it is the greatest feeling. To hold a magic wand-thats how I feel after few lessons,during scotts Holidays. thanks scott talk with ya soon. great topic -practice practice practice. mark
 
8 foot table / Simonis 860 / 4.5in Pockets / Solid B Player / Stone cold first attempt no prior practice of each shot

1A - 0
1D - 0
2A - 3
2D - 2
3A - 5
3D - 5
4A - 4
4D - 4
5A - 3
5D - 4
6A - 4
6D - 4
7A - 5
7D - 5
8A - 3
8D - 3
Total = 54

Number one was a biznotch.
 
Vinnie said:
8 foot table / Simonis 860 / 4.5in Pockets / Solid B Player / Stone cold first attempt no prior practice of each shot

1A - 0
1D - 0
2A - 3
2D - 2
3A - 5
3D - 5
4A - 4
4D - 4
5A - 3
5D - 4
6A - 4
6D - 4
7A - 5
7D - 5
8A - 3
8D - 3
Total = 54

Number one was a biznotch.
Good job Vin, it is a biznotch! I just shot it again and got a 63. Not happy with that but maybe that tells me it is tough enough!! I did this one on video with a little sloppy conversation mixed in on how I would aim these by my cp method and maybe I'll get it up later. It's 55 minutes though. 9ft gold crown 3, 4.5 with simonis, not feeling pro speed today;( but thanks for gettting me to the practice table twice in 2 days Colin;)
 
I like Colin have recently had a littel physical setback, but mine was kidney stone, and my back is still a bit sore, but I tried it anyway. 8' GCIV with 4" pockets, didn't tally up the individual shot scores only total and got 54/80. I need to play with the previous poster. I shot them cold as well. My back is not any better today, but I plan to shoot some again tonight. I may warm up for a half hour or so before without setting them up and see if my score improves. I didn't shoot my best by any means, but am still plenty happy with my result. Even on my best days i doubt I would break more than about 65.
 
Joe T said:
Good job Vin, it is a biznotch! I just shot it again and got a 63. Not happy with that but maybe that tells me it is tough enough!! I did this one on video with a little sloppy conversation mixed in on how I would aim these by my cp method and maybe I'll get it up later. It's 55 minutes though. 9ft gold crown 3, 4.5 with simonis, not feeling pro speed today;( but thanks for gettting me to the practice table twice in 2 days Colin;)


Yeah, I think with the #1 shot it is more about making a perfect stroke because there is very little room for error. Lucky for me, a couple of the shots were pretty much half-ball hits on my table. :smile:
 
Not my most professional video and my shooting was a little sub par but hey you can't win'em all. I encourage others to try this workout as I believe it'll be a good way for you to improve on these common shots and develop a relationship with them. For a little incentive if anyone beats my 63 on a 9ft within the next 24hrs and posts the video you win fidy, $50 that is. Ready set go, I'll see ya tomorrow night, gotta teach all day tomorrow.
oops forgot the link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJiM1Bkjsgs&feature=PlayList&p=A770848BF74375DD&index=0

Thanks Colin, you got me to the practice table 2 days in a row:)
 
It's early days in terms of getting results back, but I'd suggest a rating system would go a little like this:
-------------------------------------------------
Under 20: Bad eyes, possibly drunk, see a doctor, take up bowling.
20-29: Bar Banger
30-39: D
40-49: C
50-59: B
60-69: A
70-79: Pro Standard Potting
80: PR#@K - Please take up bowling so we can have a chance.
---------------------------------------------------------
Note: I'm not so familiar with how people rate themselves A,B,C etc in the states, or even if there is a D or E, so let me know if you think these ranges could be improved. e.g. B 45-59, C 30-44.
The higher you score in a range, lets say a 58, I guess, that could be called high B standard.
 
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Great Video Joe - Highly Recommended!

Joe T said:
Not my most professional video and my shooting was a little sub par but hey you can't win'em all. I encourage others to try this workout as I believe it'll be a good way for you to improve on these common shots and develop a relationship with them. For a little incentive if anyone beats my 63 on a 9ft within the next 24hrs and posts the video you win fidy, $50 that is. Ready set go, I'll see ya tomorrow night, gotta teach all day tomorrow.
oops forgot the link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJiM1Bkjsgs&feature=PlayList&p=A770848BF74375DD&index=0

Thanks Colin, you got me to the practice table 2 days in a row:)
Glad to know I energized you Joe :-)

Great video. Well worth the watch for anyone who want insights from an experienced player. (I just watched the first one and will watch the rest after this post.)

I noticed before you mentioned it that shooting from that postion (bridge length) doesn't suit you. Not quite enough room on the playing surface for a bridge if you don't like a shortish bridge length or cramping up the bridge hand.

You made it extra hard for yourself playing it with inside english, especially because you're was past your effective pivot point with that extra long bridge, so when you hit a couple a touch hard it seems that the CB squirted out too far on you.

You've got a fair point though, that in matchplay its not a good idea to play this shot plain ball because it heads for that corner pocket. Still, I think I'm gonna just try to cinch it, and practice the inside english shots afterwards.:p

Oh, and I still think you're doing alright to make 63 while talking us through it. I've hit some of the worst shots I've ever seen when I'm trying to talk through a shot. It makes it hard to get in the zone, and this drill requires a lot of concentration over a long period.

Colin
 
Joe:

I think I caught something others might not have in your videos. I think I have identified your full aiming system. Obviously, 'aiming by the numbers' is your system, but I don't think you've ever really described how you personally do it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but here's what I perceive your procedure to be:

For shot number 1, you aim your tip through a small chunk of the CB to a small chunk of the OB (which you know is less than 7). You then pivot your tip slightly until you 'feel' 7 (off that chunk) and then you parallel over to center ball to give you the offset required to make the ball. I tried this on my table and make balls well this way. I never considered using a pivot and parallel with your system.

I'm surprised how similar these aiming systems are at their core. You're close to C.J. Wiley's parallel system and close to a fractional pivot - almost a hybrid. I think what held me back with aiming by the numbers is feeling a number from an entire ball. Sighting a chunk and pivoting to fine tune and then paralleling for the offset works wonders.

Am I correct or did I get lucky with some baloney? Watching your tip in these videos is priceless. Everyone can learn from this.

Dave
 
SpiderWebComm said:
You're close to C.J. Wiley's parallel system and close to a fractional pivot - almost a hybrid.
Dave
Dave,
I did some googling of CJ Wiley and only found reference to:
a. He says you need to see the aim line before you get down on the shot.
b. A reference that said he sights the center of the OB or the edge of the OB, depending on the cut angle I guess.

I didn't see anything on parallel type systems from him. Can you briefly summarize his aiming system for me?

Colin
 
This is a fantastic test to evaluate potting skill, which is very important in any game, it just might be the most important shot because whrn you are shooting the 9 ball in 9B you just need to pot it , not playing shape. The exception would be in one pocket where the CB might have to be controlled.

I really like this test and am going to take it in about a week and post up my results. I would guess mid 50's will be my score on a 9' GC4 with 4.25" poclets. I will measure the pockets and post the score(s).

Thank you very much for thinking of this and posting it. I read this whole thread carefully and will continue to!


best

eric
 
Colin

Your proposed rating system would put me at D which is probably pretty close.

My only rating comes from our straight pool round robin which has been ongoing for about 2 1/2 years now. I started out at c-, the lowest rating and about a year ago was moved up to C. We just finished a session and I have 9 wins to 4 losses and would probably be moved up to C+ if we had another session. Unfortunately circumstances have evolved which make it appear that it's over.

I'm going to work on the weakest shots and take the test again in a day or so. I think I should be able to do 40. I'll certainly post my next score no matter what it is, no fudging.

Dave Nelson
 
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