Power by Numbers

[arsenius]

Hi All,

Quite a while ago, maybe 4 or 5 years, I read an article somewhere about developing a system for yourself where you gave a number to the amount of power you would use on a shot. So, for example, your hardest ever possible break shot was a 10, but a normal break was maybe an 8 or 9. The softest conceivable shot was maybe a .25 or something less than 1. "Average" ball pocketing speed used was maybe 3 to 5 or something. I'm making these numbers up, but I think if you know what system I'm talking about, they will make sense.;-) I do remember for sure that the numbers were one through ten.

Does this ring a bell to anyone? Does anyone know where I could find this article again? I tried google, but I couldn't find it. My memory of the article is too vague, and google came up with too many possibilities. Its possible that I read it in a book, too, but I don't think so.

Thanks

 

[supergreenman]

Hi All,

Quite a while ago, maybe 4 or 5 years, I read an article somewhere about developing a system for yourself where you gave a number to the amount of power you would use on a shot. So, for example, your hardest ever possible break shot was a 10, but a normal break was maybe an 8 or 9. The softest conceivable shot was maybe a .25 or something less than 1. "Average" ball pocketing speed used was maybe 3 to 5 or something. I'm making these numbers up, but I think if you know what system I'm talking about, they will make sense.;-) I do remember for sure that the numbers were one through ten.

Does this ring a bell to anyone? Does anyone know where I could find this article again? I tried google, but I couldn't find it. My memory of the article is too vague, and google came up with too many possibilities. Its possible that I read it in a book, too, but I don't think so.

Thanks

I don't know where you read it, but it's a system I use(or used to use) for myself. I mostly use it when I'm describing a shot to someone else. Planning the strength of a shot just seems to come naturally to me now.

 

[cigardave]

Phil Capelle uses a number-based system in his books. Believe that it was on a scale of 10 as well.

From what I remember, a pro-speed break (~30 MPH) is a 10... and the hardest that you would normally shoot in a game is defined as a 7. A medium speed shot was a 4 or 5... and my recollection after that is pretty hazy. I may look it up when I get home this afternoon.

 

[arsenius]

Thanks Cigardave, I must have read it in Play Your Best Straight Pool. That sounds like exactly what I remember. Unfortunately, I don't have that book available to me right now, it's at home in the States. At least I can lay my mind to rest.

 

[Stones]

Wasn't it gauged on hitting the cue ball up and down the table and how far it travelled?