Performance Metrics
- Thread starter Skratch
- Start date
Hello Scratch
I'm in carom billiards for more than 20 years, and i'm only 41 years, and i always heard the old guys say that the average tell's the truth about the player. The high runs don´t have great importance, because even the big players do not always manage to achieve them.
I have seen several matches here in Portugal, of Blondhal, Jaspers , Sanchez etc.and after they win (or loose) the first thing they want to know is the average, because at that level the difference between making an average of 1.200, and 1.300 for them is important, it's the difference between win or loose. My best advice, select a few players with your level, and try to play with them in the same 2 tables, and make your average from there.
Kind regards
Francisco
PS: The idea of the same 2 tables is taken from the book "Le billard en expansion" of Frederic Caudron.
I'm in carom billiards for more than 20 years, and i'm only 41 years, and i always heard the old guys say that the average tell's the truth about the player. The high runs don´t have great importance, because even the big players do not always manage to achieve them.
I have seen several matches here in Portugal, of Blondhal, Jaspers , Sanchez etc.and after they win (or loose) the first thing they want to know is the average, because at that level the difference between making an average of 1.200, and 1.300 for them is important, it's the difference between win or loose. My best advice, select a few players with your level, and try to play with them in the same 2 tables, and make your average from there.
Kind regards
Francisco
PS: The idea of the same 2 tables is taken from the book "Le billard en expansion" of Frederic Caudron.
Francisco,
I've watched many of the Pros when they came for the tournaments in NYC. For them the average is very important and consistent. I'm a decent player, but no where near consistent. My average varies widely. This is why I was looking for another way to measure improvement or high run. Maybe something like if you hit your first rail properly, or if you reduced your amount of misses from kissed shots. Something along those lines. If I were a consistent .750 player average would mean something...but my average varies too much from game to game for me to say it holds any meaning.
I've watched many of the Pros when they came for the tournaments in NYC. For them the average is very important and consistent. I'm a decent player, but no where near consistent. My average varies widely. This is why I was looking for another way to measure improvement or high run. Maybe something like if you hit your first rail properly, or if you reduced your amount of misses from kissed shots. Something along those lines. If I were a consistent .750 player average would mean something...but my average varies too much from game to game for me to say it holds any meaning.
Skratch,
Here's a suggestion:
Keep your average for every game. After you've played about 25 games, average it up. That will be a good indication of what your average really is. It doesn't matter if you have bad games where you only average .200. That is still to be included.
For the best possible understanding of your true average, try to play on many different tables and even in different locations with different equipment if possible. You will most likely be disappointed in your true average. That is normal.
Another good indicator is as follows:
Keep track of all your wins and losses (without a handicap) based on your opponent's "level". If you are playing players that you consider to be "at your level" and your win/loss record is 22-3, then you are one step better than that level.
If your record is 10-15, then you are approximately at the same level as your opponents. If it is 2-23, then you are actually below their level.
Hope this helps!
Here's a suggestion:
Keep your average for every game. After you've played about 25 games, average it up. That will be a good indication of what your average really is. It doesn't matter if you have bad games where you only average .200. That is still to be included.
For the best possible understanding of your true average, try to play on many different tables and even in different locations with different equipment if possible. You will most likely be disappointed in your true average. That is normal.
Another good indicator is as follows:
Keep track of all your wins and losses (without a handicap) based on your opponent's "level". If you are playing players that you consider to be "at your level" and your win/loss record is 22-3, then you are one step better than that level.
If your record is 10-15, then you are approximately at the same level as your opponents. If it is 2-23, then you are actually below their level.
Hope this helps!
I'm Sorry Scratch, I didn't understand your post. All i can say is that i have the same problem than you, and my approach to that same problem is to play with players that have an average, or a handicap higher than mine, and practice with them. At the club where i play, some players share their knowledge with no vanities, and i try to practice and put them my doubts with those players. For me that's the right spirit to improve in the game, and try to make better averages, it's all about teaching and learning like everything in life, we learn with the best players, not with the bad players, but that´s me talking.
Best regards
Francisco
Best regards
Francisco
When I started playing, it was all about high runs, or the number of runs over 3, 4, etc. But I figured out that it was really about the average, and over a long period of games.
I remember when I thought I was about a .5 player, but then realized it was closer to .35 or .4 when I actually tracked it because of missing easy shots that would have not only made that point but also extended my run. I worked on my consistency and speed control and position play and actually went past .5 to the .65 - .7 range when I was playing once or twice a week. I had some bad games at around .4 or so, and some good games at .8, 1.0, etc., but I was more focused on maintaining and slowly increasing that average over time.
It can help to keep track and play both balls, essentially playing a game against yourself, as long as you are diligent about shooting the same shot you would against an opponent - i.e. playing correct speed, safe, etc. Your average will also vary based on the level and type of opponent you play, which is where the winning percentage also comes into play as Jim mentioned.
Scott
I remember when I thought I was about a .5 player, but then realized it was closer to .35 or .4 when I actually tracked it because of missing easy shots that would have not only made that point but also extended my run. I worked on my consistency and speed control and position play and actually went past .5 to the .65 - .7 range when I was playing once or twice a week. I had some bad games at around .4 or so, and some good games at .8, 1.0, etc., but I was more focused on maintaining and slowly increasing that average over time.
It can help to keep track and play both balls, essentially playing a game against yourself, as long as you are diligent about shooting the same shot you would against an opponent - i.e. playing correct speed, safe, etc. Your average will also vary based on the level and type of opponent you play, which is where the winning percentage also comes into play as Jim mentioned.
Scott
I concur with the others that have posted. Another barometer is to keep track of your lulls. If you notice on Kozoom the match has a graph showing the sequential scoring.
Keep track of your lulls. See if a pattern develops. Do you jump out of the gate from the break? Does your concentration wane in the middle of the game? Are you a closer?
If you see a pattern you can at least be conscious of it and work on it.
Think of the game of chess. There are players that work on opening moves...middle strategy...end games. Just some thoughts to ponder. Have fun.
Keep track of your lulls. See if a pattern develops. Do you jump out of the gate from the break? Does your concentration wane in the middle of the game? Are you a closer?
If you see a pattern you can at least be conscious of it and work on it.
Think of the game of chess. There are players that work on opening moves...middle strategy...end games. Just some thoughts to ponder. Have fun.
That's an interesting idea. Keeping track of my lulls is something I do notice during some of my games. 0 pts innings back to back. I always try to make at least 1pt during my turn at the table. I don't control what my opponent leaves me, but I know I can take shots that don't leave much if I miss. Not an intentional safety, but I try my best without selling out an easy shot.
I normally play 25-35pt games to keep them short (under an hour when I was playing during my lunch). Does anyone have an app that is good at keeping shot scores?
Currently there are a variety of differing methods of monitoring and aggregating data for sport performance analysis. Some analytics tools use video and employ cameras positioned around to record every moment of the match.
I was hoping for something more casual during a friendly game. A way to check on your performance for a game and see if there's any improvement, aside from grand average.
Something like keeping track of your lulls (consecutive misses) or number of 1,2,3,4,5+ runs w/innings. Usually we move the beads over, but it be nice to see how we got there. A way to keep track of something and seeing if you can find a way to improve aside from just 50pts/60innings=0.833
Last edited: