Does anyone track their personal statistics? I would like to track mine, but I don't want to go overboard where I am logging stuff more than I am actually practicing / playing. Right now I am primarily playing 3 ball ghost so the extent of my statistics are how many times I have played and how many times I have beaten the ghost. My statistics don't tell me if I'm losing b/c of aim, shape, banking, poor strategy...etc. They will only tell me if I'm progressively getting better over time. In terms of playing other games, I'm thinking the minimum amount of useful information would be: name of game, number of balls run and reason for run ending (won game, poor aiming, poor shape, missed bank, safety, foul). At least then I'd know if I'm progressively running more balls and what my weaknesses are. I wouldn't mind knowing exactly what shots I'm missing (cut, straight, long distance, rail walker, reverse cut), but I think that starts becoming overkill. Thoughts?
Tracking personal statistics?
- Thread starter HomerJay20
- Start date
I like the idea of it, but I don't know anyone who does it. I think that's mostly just due to laziness. If they made a phone app that made it easy, it might actually catch on.
Are you beating the 3 ball ghost? If not, I wouldn't worry about the stats. You have a lot to work on and anything you practice will be worthwhile.
Most players learn to sink balls first, and only later do they learn how to move the cue ball around with follow, draw and sidespin. But I think if you want to really advance quickly, you should go the other way around. Forget about shotmaking and learn to move the cue ball at will.
In other words, before you play any more ghost...without even worrying about putting a ball in a pocket... see if you can drill the cue ball with top and make it travel to the head rail. Try to draw a table length from a foot away, then 2 feet, 3 feet, etc. Try cutting a ball and using sidespin alone to spin back down the table, then try various blends of sidespin + draw and sidespin + follow.
If you're looking at a 3 ball run and you think... "ok, I need to make this ball, then draw back four feet for this other ball"...what good is that knowledge if you can't draw 4 feet at will, without fail? You need that tool in your toolbox in order to attack the ghost.
So, get all of the tools in your toolbox. Don't sweat it too much as far as undercutting vs. overcutting. Shotmaking will come over time. Learn to move the cue ball anywhere. Then try to run those 3 balls 'correctly' and keep resetting them and trying again if you don't successfully run them.
Are you beating the 3 ball ghost? If not, I wouldn't worry about the stats. You have a lot to work on and anything you practice will be worthwhile.
Most players learn to sink balls first, and only later do they learn how to move the cue ball around with follow, draw and sidespin. But I think if you want to really advance quickly, you should go the other way around. Forget about shotmaking and learn to move the cue ball at will.
In other words, before you play any more ghost...without even worrying about putting a ball in a pocket... see if you can drill the cue ball with top and make it travel to the head rail. Try to draw a table length from a foot away, then 2 feet, 3 feet, etc. Try cutting a ball and using sidespin alone to spin back down the table, then try various blends of sidespin + draw and sidespin + follow.
If you're looking at a 3 ball run and you think... "ok, I need to make this ball, then draw back four feet for this other ball"...what good is that knowledge if you can't draw 4 feet at will, without fail? You need that tool in your toolbox in order to attack the ghost.
So, get all of the tools in your toolbox. Don't sweat it too much as far as undercutting vs. overcutting. Shotmaking will come over time. Learn to move the cue ball anywhere. Then try to run those 3 balls 'correctly' and keep resetting them and trying again if you don't successfully run them.
Statistics......maybe
The IPAT tests will give you an
indication of your weakest area.
If that is what you really want to
work on.
I'm not sure that at your level
having fun isn't just as important
as doing drills. Drills are very good
for advancement but pretty tough
mentally.
Take a look at IPAT (International Pool
Achievement Test) Level One.
There are other games for single players.
Fargo being one where there is lots of ball
potting while creating incentive to play better.
Be prepared to keep your records for an
extended time. Improvement in pool takes
time and occurs in increments that are so
small as to be discouraging for some people.
If this happens to you throw the records
away and play for fun.
Fun is what it's all about anyway!
The IPAT tests will give you an
indication of your weakest area.
If that is what you really want to
work on.
I'm not sure that at your level
having fun isn't just as important
as doing drills. Drills are very good
for advancement but pretty tough
mentally.
Take a look at IPAT (International Pool
Achievement Test) Level One.
There are other games for single players.
Fargo being one where there is lots of ball
potting while creating incentive to play better.
Be prepared to keep your records for an
extended time. Improvement in pool takes
time and occurs in increments that are so
small as to be discouraging for some people.
If this happens to you throw the records
away and play for fun.
Fun is what it's all about anyway!
I'm thinking I'm a D+. I shot a 50 & 45 in Fargo and I've beaten the ghost at 3 ball 85 / 247 times for 34.4% I think I'm progressing because I'm beating the ghost 4+ times out of ten the last 4 to 5 rounds.
I think I'm catching on and playing shape better simply because I'm playing more often, but I couldn't tell you what my specific weaknesses are besides saying, "everything":smile:
Thanks for the suggestions. I don't enjoy drills too much but I'll try some of the ones suggested as well as check out the IPAT test. I never heard of IPAT, but I'm sure it will show me my weaknesses.
I think I'm catching on and playing shape better simply because I'm playing more often, but I couldn't tell you what my specific weaknesses are besides saying, "everything":smile:
Thanks for the suggestions. I don't enjoy drills too much but I'll try some of the ones suggested as well as check out the IPAT test. I never heard of IPAT, but I'm sure it will show me my weaknesses.
Last edited: