What table were you and Shane using?
Shane Van Boening took the Billiard University (BU) Playing Ability Exams!
- Thread starter dr_dave
- Start date
What table were you and Shane using?
New drills can help keep things interesting, but I certainly think the BU Exams are worth practicing often, especially the drills you haven't mastered yet. The Exams help you improve every important skill, and they provide a measure of your improvement over time.
I think this applies to any serious pool player. If you can master all important skills during practice, you will be more likely to be able to execute in real game situations that call for the skills.
Not true. In fact, after his first time through Exam I, he asked to do it over again, and he was really intense. He was definitely trying to do well. Now, after he started missing easy shots in Exam II, I think he lost his interest and focus a little because he knew his score would not be that great.
Concerning something being "on the line," Shane did have a financial incentive to do well because we will be announcing a BU Exam Challenge soon, where we will offer money prizes in different categories. If nobody beats Shane's scores, Shane will make some decent cash. Shane is also allowed to attempt to improve his scores while the Challenge is in effect. I will announce details soon.
I think he most definitely gave his best in the 2nd attempt at Exam I, but he did lose focus during Exam II.
When you do the Exams, please consider posting your scores (and videos if available) on the AZB BU sticky thread as other members have done.
Good luck,
Dave
I don't think that was the case. Because I sped up the video between shots, you are not seeing his whole pre-shot routine. I was only showing his final stroke at regular speed so the videos wouldn't be too long.
Again, I told Shane about the BU Exam Challenge that we plan to announce soon, so he did have a financial incentive to do well (and still does if he wants to post higher scores that will be tougher to beat).I think if there was money for the highest score, his score would be much higher.
I like the way you think. Hopefully, I can make something like this happen in the future.
You're welcome.
I aim to swerve (and bend),
Dave
The table is a standard Gold Crown setup with fairly large pocket openings (4 7/8" to 5"), but the pockets play tighter than they look.
No. He played on the equipment quite a long time the day before.
Agreed.
Regards,
Dave
It was the same table that he had played on the day before. I think it is Table 3. If you look at the surroundings in the videos, you could probably figure it out (since you are much more intimate with the MatchUp Gold Crowns than I am). I'll also check the number the next time I'm there.
Catch you later,
Dave
He rattled some balls on upper left corner pockets on the video that made me think the pockets were tight.
Thanks Dr. Dave, this actually makes me feel good. I got your videos and been practicing for many months using the BU exam to test my improvement. I hope to get good enough to enter your challenge. When I started I was in the 130's. I am now in the 150's. So it gives me hope that I can get into the 170's. Also, seeing Shane miss made me feel good, that I was not the only one that misses rail shots....
Pros put their pants on the same way you and I do.
Thanks Dr. Dave, this actually makes me feel good. I got your videos and been practicing for many months using the BU exam to test my improvement. I hope to get good enough to enter your challenge. When I started I was in the 130's. I am now in the 150's. So it gives me hope that I can get into the 170's. Also, seeing Shane miss made me feel good, that I was not the only one that misses rail shots....
Well, no. This is the way the champions get dressed :wink:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F4bn6A5zxQ
Please post your scores (and videos, if available) on the AZB BU sticky thread.
Those elevated-cue shots are tough. For me, the keys are: 1.) make sure my vision center is still properly aligned when I elevate, 2.) carefully check the tip alignment on the CB before my final stroke, and 3.) keep my head, body, and elbow as still as possible during the stroke.
Good luck on the BU Exam Challenge (when it is announced),
Dave
LOL I have never seen that movie before, I need to find it!
Thanks for the chuckle, after my recent interaction with Hugh Heffner Jr. I need it.
Thanks for the chuckle, after my recent interaction with Hugh Heffner Jr. I need it.
They just put them on legs that are attached to a better pool player. :wink:
This looks like a pretty good agenda for practice. I'll try it soon, just having some walls moved for my table.
On Shane's table, does anybody know the pocket size? they looked tight.
Those pockets looked tight to me also, but Dr. Dave said in an earlier post that they are standard pocket size for GC's
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I too was surprised at how many shots he missed. It would be interesting to see how he completed this "in the zone" but would be hard to find him "in the zone" with the interuptions of resetting the shots. Very impressive though, nonetheless.
Dr Dave,
I just watched the videos on the fundamentals and skills. Get that printer ready. Setting goal for Master's degree right off the bat, and Master's with Honors by end of the year.
Dr Dave,
I just watched the videos on the fundamentals and skills. Get that printer ready. Setting goal for Master's degree right off the bat, and Master's with Honors by end of the year.
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The BU Playing Ability Exams are a good pool workout. If you do run through them, please consider posting your scores (and video if available) on the AZB BU sticky thread.
Here's the data from the Table Difficulty Factor (TDF) sticky thread:
9':1.00 -- 5": 0.91 -- 1 1/8":1.10 -- 1 3/8":0.99 -- 0.99
The pockets are big (5"), but the facing angles (PAF=1.10) make it easy for balls to rattle out. The overall table difficulty factor is "average" (TDF = 0.99).
Regards,
Dave
I look forward to seeing some top scores posted by some solid AZB players out there. And once I announce the BU Exam Challenge (which I hope to do very soon), there will be a financial incentive.Watching Shane take the BU exam gave me some good motivation to give it a go. I've got work stuff going on for the next couple of weeks but hopefully I can squeeze in the time to get my table set up, print out all the stuff I need, and actually take the exams at least once sometime next week. Should be fun...
Catch you later,
Dave
Invitational BU Exam
That's a good suggestion Johnnyt.
I wonder how long the test takes to complete.
Also, if the players knew in advance, they could prepare for the Exam, maybe participating at DCC for a money prize that would interest them.
Maybe Greg Sullivan could take some of that buyback money at the DCC and use some of it for the BU exams "contest" and make it worth their while.
Shane could probably influence some of the other elite players, imo.
JoeyA
That's a good suggestion Johnnyt.
I wonder how long the test takes to complete.
Also, if the players knew in advance, they could prepare for the Exam, maybe participating at DCC for a money prize that would interest them.
Maybe Greg Sullivan could take some of that buyback money at the DCC and use some of it for the BU exams "contest" and make it worth their while.
Shane could probably influence some of the other elite players, imo.
JoeyA
Thank you DR Dave and Shane for allowing this test to go public. If you notice Shane was one and two stroking most shots. That to me says he wasn't trying 100%. I think if there was money for the highest score, his score would be much higher
I do think it's a great test and would like to see more of the top pros of the world take it in a 6 man round robin. Appleton, Ko, Shane, Shaw, Alex, and one more...WITH CLOCK. I think they would be very interesting scores. Thanks again for doing all you do and all the work you put into teaching this great game. Johnnyt