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Have you done any ping pong tests ? :D

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😂😂😂😂😂

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Thank you. That was one of our main goals when creating the Exams and scoring system.

+Andypro You're welcome. I was also very pleased Shane agreed to run through the exams. I also look forward to seeing other pros do it.

+DrDaveBilliards Thanks for the upload. Shane has admitted to never practicing drills so I know that had to be tough and makes it all the more impressive.

armondo bell I’m shocked by that fact , considering that he was vetted by two national champions. Wow .

His technique has a rhythm and wave. Fun see the practice from bu and shane share with world

He just randomly chose Shane. Don't be mad 😃

You're welcome. I aim to swerve. :)

I don't think SVB was trying remotely or cared, he probably doesn't know DR Dave that well, or that he is actually pretty good pool player, and just some guy asking him to do this thing he made up.

marshalcraft I’m pretty sure he had a higher level of respect, because he wouldn’t had done it otherwise. Dr. Dave isn’t a beggar and SVB isn’t a prick, there are good humans in this world lol

@@MadMen356 "begger" "prick" I'm sure you know a bunch about good and garbage "humans"

@@afdkj I was just saying that don't think he was trying, again. Also maybe didn't know Dr. Dave who is actually like I said a pretty good player, and by pretty good I mean, could probably compete in pro tournaments, not just some person, trying to listen to them selves talk, and teach other players bullshits they have no idea about and they suck, like 99% of American pool players. Sorry just being truthful really. "keep your head down" "shot equity" "play stupid safes instaed of challenging shots" which coincidentally is all formula to keep being a crappy pool players. I wasn't saying anything about doing this drill 1 time vs 99 times. And even then, who's to say if someone does trying it a whole bunch of times, and gets good score finally, that that is some how now as good a score?? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, that a whole other topic. So do what ever you want, practice, don't practice, play more matches, don't play matches, I really don't care. I'm just talking about if SVB was trying or not for this, not some philosophy about pool practice/playing and natural skill. And personally I don't really want to hear it either. So not trying to be mean, and not saying, don't say what you think, do, sometimes you find diamonds in the rough, from random people, who happen to base something they say off actual experience. Other times it's total B.S. or something in-between, or incomprehensible. So I agree to disagree with you W D. At end of day, God probably doesn't place much weight on pool balls and wholes.

chris bazluke Yep. Sometimes the target helps (especially when you get the CB inside the target area), and sometimes it hurts (especially when you skirt the target area). I don’t see this as a bad thing. It is part of the challenge.

@@DrDaveBilliards Yeah that's kind of the same as how things work when you play mini golf

I doubt he's worried or even concerned at all about his score on this exam. When Dr. Dave becomes the number one player in the world, then it might carry more weight. It's still a great test for average or amateur players though.

Mastering a set of drills like this requires dedicated practice time and multiple attempts. This was Shane's first try.

@@DrDaveBilliards , you don't say! Ever since I discovered the BU exams/drills, that's pretty much all I play during my solo play time. My game has easily doubled or even tripled in quality and consistency in just a few months. My goal is to get perfect on these drills and I hope to score a 100 one day on the bachelor's exam. I'll apply for a BU diploma! :)

I'm glad to hear it. Have fun.

I posted this just before the wagon wheel drill, then I see you reference target pool next, I should show more patience lol

Bullseye Billiards has a new version of target pool. For more info, see the link at the bottom of the page here: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/drill/target/

@@DrDaveBilliards thanks, I'll check that out

I'm glad you liked it. This was Shane's first attempt at the BU Exams. With a little practice with the drills, I am sure he could crush them.

You're welcome. Keep it up and also work on Exam II. Maybe you can get a BU pool diploma some day.

@@DrDaveBilliards will Do! Thanks

It is. And all of the Exam documents and score sheets are available for free here: billiarduniversity.org/exams.html Enjoy, and good luck with your game!

You're welcome ... and thank you. I aim to swerve. :)

DrDaveBilliards good pun also :D

Thanks, but I don't know what pun I used. Please let me know.

DrDaveBilliards Oh I thought you tried to say "I AIM to SERVE" with a little billiard pun :) I might be wrong though, since English is not my mother tongue :D

Sorry, I thought you were referring to something I said in the video. You are right ... "I aim to swerve" was an intention pun.

It was fun having him show up "out of the blue" and unannounced like that.

Thank you. I'd like to see more like it too. Hopefully, the $2500 BU Exam Challenge will help get top players interested: billiards.colostate.edu/BU_challenge.html

Good Luck!

Dennis N Thanks. I’m glad you like it.

You're welcome, and thank you for posting.

Shane actually seems to use an open bridge on many (if not most) shots. For some of the reasons why, and to see how to form various types of closed bridges, see the info and videos here: billiards.colostate.edu/threads/bridge.html

Good luck, and have fun!

FYI, all the info you need is here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

@@DrDaveBilliards definitely got a subscribe from me been looking for ways to improve my game and this will definitely help among your other drills and videos thank you!!

Welcome aboard. Enjoy! And good luck with your game.

I'm glad you like my stuff. Please help spread the word. The BU Exam rectangle target is 8.5"x11" with a 1" border. You can print out a template here: billiarduniversity.org/exams.html

LOL!

You're right about the clipboard. I should have kept it off the table. Although, I don't think Shane was bothered by it one bit. I agree that it was great that Shane agreed to do the Exams. I hope other pros do so also, maybe through the BU Exam Challenge here: billiards.colostate.edu/BU_challenge.html

DrDaveBilliards efren would be great to see in this. One can dream to see that one day. :\

I agree 100%.

I didn't need to make him do it. When I told him about it, he wanted to try it. I think it was a little harder than he thought it would be. Although, if he would practice it a few times, I'm sure he could crush it. Maybe next time.

We decided to cap the maximum possible score on each drill at 10 because: 1.) a score of 10 is a tough enough challenge on many of the drills. 2.) we didn't want to give more weight to one drill/skill (especially an easy drill /skill like the first cut-shot drill) compared to others. 3.) we wanted the total possible score for each Exam to be 100. Also, nobody has yet to achieve a perfect score in either Exam, and we've had some really good players attempt the Exams. Concerning Shane's attitude during this exam, he was very focused. He certainly was not "unconcerned." I'm sure he could do better with a few more attempts and more practice with the Exams, but he did very well for his first attempt. The guy on the 10 footer (Scott Brazier) worked very hard on the Exams with lots of attempts over many, many weeks. He is also a very solid player.

I don't know the brand, but like most pros, he prefers a harder tip; although I'm sure he could play just as well with any tip brand or hardness. FYI, lots of info about tip hardness effects can be found here: billiards.colostate.edu/threads/cue_tip.html#hardness

Good eye. The ball position was wrong. I'm glad you like my stuff. You're welcome. I aim to swerve. :)

I'm sure Shane didn't even notice the clipboard. Good players aren't bothered by things that might distract lesser players. Concerning the shot at target #2, the straight draw is the most common approach. Going across the table off two rail is an option on a fast table, but it is not as reliable. I actually do better drawing off the end rail with sidespin. See: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZrSBoNiH2rqoaH0.html

Thank you.

Wyse One You got it.

FYI, the following video provides an overview of Exam I and its scoring: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eq9xha2lz5q7dmw.html The scoring is also described in the Exam I document: billiarduniversity.org/documents/BU_Exam-I_Fundamentals.pdf and on the Exam I score sheet: billiarduniversity.org/documents/BU_Exam-I_Score_Sheet.pdf

You are not required to hit a stun shot on this drill. You are just required to get the CB into the target. Shane is using the method that he thinks allows him to do this with the best accuracy and consistency. Rolling the CB with outside spin is a good approach for this drill, and Shane prefers this approach to a stun shot (which can create a lot of throw, especially at slow speed).

@@DrDaveBilliards I understand and thank you for the explanation, it makes perfect sense! I enjoy the depth of your videos and instructions!

@@DrDaveBilliards Fair enough but maybe you shouldn't call it a "Stun shot" drill/test then? OR... make it a stringent requirement to only use stun?

thedreamer024 MatchUps in Fort Collins, Colorado.

He does exactly what we teach in the BU DVD!

DrDaveBilliards it looks like he’s using the a rolling cue ball all the way to the 6. I think you instructed using the tangent line starting at the 5. Maybe I’m wrong,

The 30 degree rule does not apply for positions 5 (requires tangent-line stun) and 6 (requires slight draw). The 30 degree rule applies only to a rolling CB for cuts between a 1/4-ball and 3/4-ball hit.

DrDaveBilliards Oh ok I see now. It almost looks like he avoids using stun on 5 with his cue ball placement. My mistake. Awesome video dr Dave!!!

They are "self adhesive hole-reinforcement labels."

billiarduniversity.org/instruction/instructors/how-to/

It wasn't hard to convince him because he likes a challenge. He could do much better if he practices the Exams and really focuses on trying to get the best score possible. Although, that would take a lot of dedicated time and effort.

Wow! You managed to spell Shane wrong twice!

@@Bobba8590 Really? Where?

@@DrDaveBilliards not you babe. You are perfect.

@@Bobba8590 Oh. I see now.

If you use a pendulum stroke with a fast-speed draw shot, the tip naturally finishes into the table; and with a closed bridge, the shaft will tend to flex. There is no advantage to doing this, but it is unavoidable with a good stroke.

DrDaveBilliards I am currently practicing my power draw stroke. I don’t ever seem to bend my cue into the table and I use a closed bridge. Does that mean I am not hitting the lowest limit on the CB? Or is my stroke flawed?

@@jonathanliu5047 If you don't follow through, or if you drop your elbow during the stroke, the tip won't go down into the table. For more info and advice, see: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/draw/power/ billiards.colostate.edu/faq/stroke/elbow-drop/ billiards.colostate.edu/faq/stroke/follow-through/

DrDaveBilliards I see, thank you for the insight. I was never sure because I am able to get good action. Back to practicing.

Please send me a time-stamp link to the shot to which you are referring so I can check it out. I did not notice any grip tightening while he took the BU Exams.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/h5ODhJlouZjSh58.html 59:48

Thanks for the link. The technique looks good to me. His fingers open and then close during the stroke (which is common and normal), and the stroke was short (for the slow speed of the shot), but I didn't see any grip tightening. It is natural for the back grip fingers to open and close during the stroke. See the videos here: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/grip/technique/

Beer Can Shane scored 84 on his first real attempt. And with dedicated practice, I’m sure he could approach 100. You have some work to do before that race to 11. :)

@@DrDaveBilliards Maybe just a little work to keep up with Shane. 😉 I thought it was fantastic having one of the greatest players of today go through your drill. With pool halls here in Ca still shutdown, sure watching a lot of pool on KZfaq versus actually playing. How I found your excellent channel. When my hall does reopen, looking forward to see how I score on your BU drills.

@@beercanbrian1880 I'm glad you like my stuff. I hope you eventually have fun with the BU Exams. Good luck with your game.

Sorry, but I don't have any specific recommendations, but there are many online suppliers that carry a lot of inventory and offer good deals: billiards.colostate.edu/links.html#Retailers

Agreed. Mike is one of the most pleasant people to be around in the entire pool industry!

DrDaveBilliards Agreed, my uncle was a professional player or shortstop some might would argue instead and I have either met or played most of the older generation of professionals that are out there and i always liked Mike over the vast majority of them all.

I got to meet Mr. Massey in Vegas at the ACS National Championships in 2018

We've had several other pros (Mark Gray, Marc Vidal, Tobias Bongers, Margaret Fefilova) take the Exams. Their videos can be found here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/ and here: billiarduniversity.org/resources/videos/demos/ I have tried to get more top pros to do it, and I even offered some big cash to encourage them: billiards.colostate.edu/challenge/ but most are not interested in recording and posting videos.

@@DrDaveBilliards ah okay, thank you dr dave 👍

The OB is a ball off the cushion. FYI, diagrams and detailed rules for each drill in both Exams can be found in the Exam documents here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

The BU DVDs cover each drill in great detail. For more info, see: billiarduniversity.org/dvds.html FYI, there are a lot of free video excerpts at the bottom on the page that cover many of the drills where the tip position might not be obvious. Check them out.

Sorry, but I don't remember seeing your question before. Unless a double hit is visually obvious from the action of the shot, it is not a foul. Chalk marks on the CB after a shot is not admissible evidence. For more info, see: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rtVlZbGd1aiYdoU.html

A great player like Shane can reach their top level pf play with any cue, assuming they’ve had time to get accustomed to it. It’s not the cue ... it’s the player.

Agreed. I would love to see Efren take the Exam, especially if he got a 100 as part of the BU Exam Challenge, where he could win $5,000: billiards.colostate.edu/challenge/2020-bu-exam

All of the documents are available for free here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

Charlie B Efren has won EVERYTHING There is to win in pool! Shane has a long way to go to catch Efren!

@@raymondphillips7107 Today there are way more top players around the world that play so it's much harder to win but yet Shane has won 5 US open 9 Ball events, Efren lost 4 of them and won only once. I do think Efren is the most skilled and talented player of all time but not the guy who was the best under the TV lights. Strickland for example has never lost a finals event. Shane if he wins even more US open 9 ball events will have to be called the best 9 ball player ever, it's so hard to win today, back in 90s there were not that many good players but today you have so many top mens and even womens players. The biggest weakness Efren Reyes had in his game was his break, Shane has the best break I've ever seen and that makes a huge difference. Shane is young so we have another 20 years to watch him.

Charlie B Efren in his prime would thrive today. Efren in his career has beaten every top pro there is. Shane is great no doubt,but he has shown weakness especially in the mosconi cup where he tends to choke! Ask anyone who knows and they'll tell you Efren is the best to ever pick up a cue!

Dude I bet you are too young to even have seen the earlier era. To day there are more pro players because the technique and studies have been established. Today's player they already have details of their opponent laid out so they know what to do. While earlier players have to figure the mindset of their opponent while playing itself. The game has become easier and that's the reason there are more pros in the game now. You think competition wasn't tough earlier ? Does any player today has the experience and skill of Steve Davis? Well Effren has beaten him. Beside the quality players has still not much changed. Your facts might not be wrong but your Conclusion definitely is. I bet you if the earlier player in their prime would go to Toe to Toe with any player today and for your conclusion Shane is one of the most Perfect player in the game but that same person considers Effren as the best ever so you dont have to worry yourself and comment on a legend by just one fact. There is an entire list of players before Shane to be consider best. Half of them is owned by player from Philippines then comes US then Dutch. Shane is still in the game and has already earned a spot but still has long career ahead of him.✌

aki moon my opinion isn't just mine alone. Several polls shave been taken over the years and almost all of them have Efren being the greatest alll-around player of all time. Yes players are better today,with the information available players are able to get better faster. I would still take Efren in his prime in a long race over anyone today.

I asked him, but he wasn't as interested as Shane.

... not as far as I know. I would like to see that also.

​@@DrDaveBilliardsshane said in one podcast that he dont do drills, is that true?

@@perun4649 I have seen him practice specific shots over and over again. That is a drill, and he does this sort of thing often. And he did the BU Exams; although he doesn’t do this sort of thing regularly.

@@DrDaveBilliards thanks for answer! i saw that too, and thats some sort of drill, but he is not drill guy if you know what i mean, he like to do break and runs again, again and again for hours, and he is best in my opinion, and i like this regime

@@perun4649 But drills can be very useful to build, refine, and improve skills. I think American players have a lot to learn from European and Asian players in the regard.

This was done at MatchUps in Fort Collins, CO. The table is a fairly standard Gold Crown setup with no extra shims.

+Carl Fibiger The table is a fairly standard Gold Crown (4 7/8 to 5", but with deed shelf). The pockets are not very tight relative to modern pro-tournament standards.

Yes he is; although, he was still disappointed with his score on this Exam. With some dedicated practice with these drills, I'm sure he could crush it.

This was his first attempt. With a little practice with the drills, he could crush the Exam.

David Bear I respectfully disagree that SVB is the best to ever play the game. Actually IMO there are several in front of him

Uncle Wreckum You can’t argue the fact that he’s incredibly consistent on so many levels that it’s mind boggling .... Hes won 5 US Opens. Have these other Pros that you speak of (Active Pros) accomplished the same feats and repeatedly I might add?

@@jamesroboyle Earl Strickland (considered to be one of the greatest 9 ball players ever) won 5 US Opens. SVB tied him for the most wins for that event. Mike Sigel (also considered one of the greatest 9 ball, and greatest pool players ever) won 3 total, including the very first one. Several other top level pros have won 2 each. As great as everyone thinks Efren Reyes is, he only won it once.

The scoring system does allow some mistakes, but nobody (even top players) have aced the Exams yet. If you want to see the top scores and videos, you can find them here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/

Tim Miller Plan to come next year. We should be announcing the dates soon here: billiarduniversity.org/school.html

Oops.

Damn Hot Chick Me too, especially if they were to spend some time with them and show us what scores are possible (on both Exam I and Exam II). The highest scores to date are 95 on Exam I and 92 on Exam II. It would be fun to see a perfect 100 on each.

For those interested, videos for the top scores to date are available here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/

DrDaveBilliards who carries those high scores to date?

@@roberttruesdell6151 All info, including names, is available here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/

See: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

No. He was just visiting Fort Collins at the time and I told him about the Exams and a Challenge we were running. He was excited to give it a go. Info and results for the Challenge are here: billiards.colostate.edu/challenge/2016-bu-exam/

On that drill, it is actually good strategy to favor the rail side of the ball. It increases the margin for error. Smart players like Shane figure out things like this very quickly.

Give it a try. You can win money, regardless of how well you do, per the info here: billiards.colostate.edu/challenge/2020-bu-exam/ And it doesn't cost anything to enter.

@@DrDaveBilliards Thanks I saw this! I love what you do for the pool community and you have an excellent way of sharing knowledge. Thank you for that! Keep safe! PS - do you have an videos on the best way to level a table?

@@metellus8152 Sorry, but I don't have anything on table leveling, but I bet you can find something if you do a Google or KZfaq search.

Actually, many people have practiced the BU Exams really hard and have done better. See: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/

Sometimes the rectangle hurts, sometimes it helps. The more accurate you are, the more it helps. That's part of the challenge.

DrDaveBilliards true

+Irakli Meparishvili Have you tried the Exams yet? The highest score we've seen so far on Exam I is 88/100. I would think Shane and other top pros could get a perfect score (100/100) with lots of practice, but it ain't easy.

Nice, Irakli! Can you send in the videos of you owning these tests with perfect scores so we can see!

You see footballers missing from the penalty spot. Everyone's human.

Shane tried the Exams only once. He could do much better with a little dedicated practice with the drills.

That's part of the drill. If you are more accurate with speed and direction, the target cannot hurt you. If you are less accurate, sometimes the rectangle hurts (by pushing the CB away from an outer edge) and sometimes it helps (by helping to keep the CB on the target by slowing or redirecting motion off an inner edge).

@@DrDaveBilliards Ok

... because he is blocking the camera view? Since I was scoring, I was verifying the results as Dean of the BU; but, obviously, a different camera position would have been better (although, we were limited by the bar furniture and my cheap tripod).

sorry Dr i meant 10:59 where shane put the cueball so close to the object ball lol

You call it "almost cheating" ... I call it "smart" :)

... not by today’s standards. It is a typical Gold Crown set-up.

Nothing. He was in Fort Collins (where I live). I told him about the Exams and asked him if he wanted to do them. He said yes. That’s it. He likes a challenge.

Agreed. With more practice, and with big money on the line, I'm sure he could have crushed both BU Exams.