Shane VanBoening - Billiard University (BU) Exam II - Skills

Dr. Dave runs Shane Van Boening through part two of the Billiard University (BU) playing-ability exams. Exam II (Skills) tests important skills necessary to be a successful pool player. Here's how Shane scored:
S1:10 + S2:15 + S3:14 + S4:14 + S5:7 + S6:4 + S7:1 + S8:3 + S9:5 + S10:4 = 77
Shane's BU Exam I video: • Shane VanBoening - Bil...
Shane's Total BU Score = Exam I:84 + Exam II:77 = 161 (Doctorate of Pool)
If you want to try the exams and see how well you can do compared to Shane, everything you need is available for free on the BU website at:
BilliardUniversity.org

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Here's how Shane scored: S1/10 + S2/15 + S3/14 + S4/14 + S5/7 + S6/4 + S7/1 + S8/3 + S9/5 + S10/4 = 77 Shane's BU Exam I video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6m6aICYbpx7oK8 Shane's Total BU Score = Exam I:84 + Exam II:77 = 161 (Doctorate of Pool) If you want to try the exams and see how well you can do compared to Shane, everything you need is available for free on the BU website at: BilliardUniversity.org

[@davids11131113]

Pretty cool that Shane wanted to go through this.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

+davids11131113 Agreed. Although, Shane likes a challenge, so it wasn't difficult to convince him to try it.

[@shanemccarthy7282]

+DrDaveBilliards most top players would think they are above doing this got to respect this man

[@tcwartenbe2637]

Have to stay in playing shape. I've played against a guy that told me he would practice until he can't get it wrong. Even if he had to take more than 1,000 strokes a day. Same guy who got pissed during a run-out because he missed the leave he wanted by a half-inch. Still ran the table on me, but I couldn't figure out why he was so upset.

[@Zenthex]

@@shanemccarthy7282 i would expect most pros would want to see how hard they can destroy the exam.

[@TheKaracalla]

So should we address him as... Dr. van Boening?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Well of course!

[@buddharmt]

Nice to see the humanity of mr shane.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

buddharmt Agreed, but it would have also been nice to see his best after some practice with the Exams. This was his first attempt, and he lost a little focus after missing some shots he shouldn’t miss.

[@buddharmt]

DrDaveBilliards as we all do. Hence the humanity. Gives me hope i can play that well one day.

[@buddharmt]

DrDaveBilliards i visited your website. I presume all the prices are usd? If i order it'll be going to your northern neighbor.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

That is correct. All of the prices are in USD. I've had lots of customers in Canada. FYI, it is cheaper and faster to use the download/stream option here: drdavebilliards.com/stream_vimeo.html

[@9BallBory]

Put him in a tournament environment and he would never miss a thing lol

[@krishnakalavacharla8866]

This video is amazing! Dr. Dave, you are a true blessing to us. I will use all the material, you graciously giving us for free! I will owe you forever! Thank you!

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

Excellent with all info and even score-sheet on the website. It really helps and pushes me to practice more when I have a goal like this. And also I would like to say that DrDave really have a calm and professional approach to both information and how he is speaking. There are many people who knows their stuff well, but not all can teach as good.

[@travislogsdon8691]

This is awesome wish I would have found ten years ago

[@jaroslavcech225]

Thank you so much, really appreciate all the diagrams etc. on the website - all for free! Atm I'm only on F3 but I'm working myself through it, this really helps!

[@DrDaveBilliards]

I'm glad you like the BU Exams. I hope the practice helps your game.

[@CreeDorofl]

these are great... this second series shows shane's ability a bit better than the first maybe. Shane's at home running out but seemed a little less in the zone with the set shots. It's good to see he's human. Nice job editing to keep it moving. Too bad about the in-and-out audio.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

+CreeDorofl If you had heard the music that was playing, you probably would have been glad I muted it. I agree that Shane really shines on the run-out drills, but he was also impressive on the Exam I fundamental skills test. I think Shane got a little lazy with the safeties, kicks, banks, elevated-cue shots, and jumps. His Exam II score should have been much better.

[@Mr8balleddie]

Awesome to see!! Need to get more of the pros to let you video the exam, maybe even get a little competition going!!

[@DrDaveBilliards]

+Neal Stewart That's a great idea! In fact, that's the main reason we created the $2500 BU Exam Challenge ... to encourage more pros and non-pros to participate. The cash prizes should offer good incentive. For more info, see: billiards.colostate.edu/BU_challenge.html

[@Snap_Crackle_Pop_Grock]

Awesome as always Dave. Although we would've liked to see you play a couple of racks against Shane 😭

[@jaspergan]

if only every shot banked him some decent dough, i can bet my last dollar SVB will score 190+

[@DrDaveBilliards]

A 190+ would take more than decent dough. It would take lots of dedicated and focused practice with the Exams.

[@jaspergan]

@@DrDaveBilliards someone should challenge SVB to retake this exam, 100k for 190+. Pretty sure he can do it!

[@DrDaveBilliards]

@@jaspergan He took Exam I twice and still only got an 84. And he was trying pretty hard. It is even more difficult to score high on Exam II. I think it is possible for him to get a 190+, but I am sure he could not do it "cold," without dedicated and focused practice with the Exams first.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

FYI, the highest total score to date is 182, and that is after many good players have worked really hard on the Exams. Videos are available here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/

[@DrDaveBilliards]

FYI, I have also offered money to see how high people can score. For more info, and results, see: billiards.colostate.edu/challenge/

[@jonathanarent5565]

Two of my favorite players!!!

[@caseysmutz4216]

Dr Dave, I really love this video. Have you tried, or will you try and get another top level pro to do this exam on video? I think most pool players who are working hard at improving their game would really appreciate seeing top pro’s try this.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

FYI, videos for several other pros and many top players can be found here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/ Enjoy!

[@andusgarza497]

I think Shane did really well. he's never left with those tough shots because he's so good

[@DrDaveBilliards]

+andus garza Good point; although, he was not very happy about missing many of the shots he did.

[@867star]

+DrDaveBilliards That's what it means to have passion for the game.

[@THeBoZZHoGG]

From what I gather Shane is using a shaft aiming system(he developed for himself the internet says) which would be a good reason for having trouble with the jacked up shots, a hole is his game, though, I'd be willing to bet that he has patched it by now. Would be nice to see a video of this system on your channel with your take

[@DrDaveBilliards]

I have seen what the "Internet" has said about Shane's "aiming system." I instead think that Shane aims like most top players do, as described and demonstrate here: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/aiming/dam/#advice

[@frankmccutcheon4254]

I could use you're help with some of my positioning, I am a good ball maker but lack constant que control to elevate my game to next level.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Lots of CB control help can be found in the videos and via the other info here: billiards.colostate.edu/tutorial/cue-ball-control/

[@seandesir7272]

Thanks drdave. I watch a lot of of your videos. You seem to be very knowledgeable in pool. I think your knowledge is at a grandmaster level. Can you give svb competition in 8 ball, race to 11,alternate break?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

+Jean Desir Just because I know a lot doesn't mean I can play at a world-class level ... that requires a huge time commitment to the game that is not possible with my "day job" and other hobbies. So the answer is No ... I can't give SVB competition.

[@aznguitar]

+DrDaveBilliards like boxing =]

[@joshuahaynes7413]

DrDaveBilliards people dont realize all the time pros put into it .. most people have lifes and kids n shit no time to shoot pool everyday for 10 hours a day

[@voodoorage2710]

Very nice to watch

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Agreed. I wish I could get more pros to do the BU Exams.

[@ethanletzer3507]

I would love to see Shane take this test now

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Me too, especially after spending a little time on dedicated practice with the Exams. Then he could crush them.

[@sougata7]

You should invite Ronnie O'Sullivan to take this exam. Long flight from the UK, but still. Half-jokes aside, this is a quality video from you, as always.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

I would love to have Ronnie take the Exams, but it would probably be a hard sell.

[@Ramp10er]

I never thought they put up a university for billiards...

[@erickort1987]

you know shane has his own aiming technique.shooting over a ball i fail,i lost a league pool match because of it and it was a bankshot,it was the only shot i had,i missed then my opponent ran the table,he was a pretty good shot,his team went 18-0 for the league

[@TheMatzophon]

Hi Dave, would you please help me to understand🙏🏻 In this video Shane has a 10-Ball on position 1. I can‘t find this ballposition on your drill-sheet (S4 Lay-out 1). What is right, what is wrong?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

The BU Exam II document is correct: billiarduniversity.org/documents/BU_Exam-II_Skills-Doctorate.pdf FYI, official documents and rules for all versions of all BU Exams can be found here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/ Good luck!

[@Zenthex]

i'm not sure how much sense "doctorate of pool" makes. does that mean he's learned in pool, or that he's good at the techniques of pool? to what extent is it both? and, is there such a thing as a "philosophy of pool" that one could be learned in?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Zenthex Earning a Doctorate of Pool from the Billiard University requires skill and lots of dedicated practice. Judge for yourself by watching some of the videos here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/ Better yet, try the playing-ability exams yourself and see how you do: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

[@FD-ms2nm]

Can you make a video on picking a cue tip size?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

FYI, I have some info on this topic here: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/cue-tip/size-and-shape/

[@phuonganhluong955]

You try to give the video more brightness it will be great if you do

[@dudeman1828]

Dave, during video segments where you have audio muted I would really like commentary, at least any explanation of attempted english. Also, I do believe if you credit the artist that is playing during your video, KZbin will allow it. At least they have for the videos I do, I am not monetized though.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Good point. I should have included more shot commentary in that video. FYI, I have lots of videos with commentary under the different categories and at the bottom of the page here (especially the "Smart Run-Out Pool" series): billiards.colostate.edu/faq/cue-ball-control/ and in my "Most Famous Pool Shots and Matches of All Time" series: kzbin.info/aero/PLH9d4KFY28XscHllvlP_rVC1jQjDXZmYD Enjoy!

[@macabre9115]

This is cool practice.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Agreed. If you want to try any of the BU Playing-Ability Exams, they can be found for free here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/ Have fun!

[@MaachoMaan]

Somehow I don’t think Shane’s losing much sleep over failing to achieve the “Honors” Doctorate.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

After he hit a few shots poorly, he kind of "gave up" a little. If he were to practice the drills and try his best, he could crush the Exams. This was his first try.

[@motorcitycobra2009]

What is the highest confirmed score on this exam? Has anyone ‘completed it’!?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

The highest score to date on Exam I is 97 by German pro Tobias Bongers. See all official scores and videos here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/alumni/

[@gpuppy1234]

Dr. Dave, did you play against Shane? If so, how did you do?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

We didn't play. If we did, I would obviously get crushed. I am a professional instructor, not a professional player.

[@DeeboComing]

Man these are some tough drills lol.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Give them a try. All the BU Exams are documented and demonstrated here: billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

[@mduduzimayisa4476]

why dont you invite efren reyes

[@DrDaveBilliards]

I would love for Efren to take the Exams, but I don’t know how to reach him.

[@petrosmen4320]

Dr Dave in this cloth with this pocket size propably your drills aren't playable

[@DrDaveBilliards]

The difficulty level of the drills definitely varies with cloth conditions and pocket geometry. The Table Difficulty Factor (TDF) helps quantify part of this: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/table/tdf/

[@redringofdeathgamer]

Does the lady at 10:45 say, "He wants a divorce"?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

There is so much random chatter in the background, I wouldn’t be surprised.

[@jeremybuckets]

9:13 he can't help himself

[@DrDaveBilliards]

When he started missing shots in this Exam, he started to lose his focus a little.

[@walterreedjr6762]

Wait so Billiards University is not an actual school? 🙍

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Sure it is. See: billiarduniversity.org/instruction/school/

[@DrDaveBilliards]

... but it is not an "academic institution" like most "universities."

[@Crxig3]

If I'm ever in Colorado will you proctor my exam?

[@DrDaveBilliards]

I do free proctors only for top pros, but I’d be happy to help and proctor you as part of a lesson: drdavebilliards.com/instruction/pool-school/

[@Crxig3]

@@DrDaveBilliards Never would I dream of asking for your time for free. Maybe I should have specified that? Regardless, thank you for the link. Now to start planning a Colorado trip!

[@DrDaveBilliards]

@@Crxig3 Sounds good.

[@Suppboio]

Well, KZbin does allow you to use copyrighted music, you just can't monetize the video

[@DrDaveBilliards]

+Zupprezed I didn't know that. Thank you for letting me know.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

FYI, I looked into this and found out that KZbin will block or mute any video (monetized or not) containing Copyrighted music.

[@pugsnhogz]

SVB = so very beautiful

[@DrDaveBilliards]

So Very Best

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Superb Via Brilliance

[@pugsnhogz]

Sic Veritas Billiardum?

[@pugsnhogz]

you really shouldn't encourage me

[@pugsnhogz]

@@DrDaveBilliards thanks again for all your hard work, we all benefit

[@Snowbag1998]

I wonder what would be Efren's score !

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Snowbag1998 it would probably be high. :)

[@joshuahaynes7413]

Snowbag1998 im sure efren would shine in the safety and kicking that was what made him one of the best .. shane and earl are better pure shooters but efren has a better defensive game

[@Guitarfreak931]

He didn't do good at the shots because they were too easy and he wasn't under pressure.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

I think you are right. He also had not practiced them. That can make a big difference.

[@bassinbilliards6279]

He seems like he's just doing it because lol. Shane would've destroyed those banks if you had 10k on the line

[@DrDaveBilliards]

You are right. After he missed a few shots, he because "less interested."

[@RoyHorbison]

SHANE GOT LUCKY

[@DrDaveBilliards]

Actually, he wasn't very lucky at all ... he could have done much better on this Exam if he had practiced the shots a little first. This was his very first attempt at Exam II.

[@RoyHorbison]

i wrote that comment before i saw the video lol i figured he scored much higher

[@GetMeThere1]

I think of he bored toward the end.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

He definitely started to "give up" a little when he started doing "not so well." Then he got worse.

[@GetMeThere1]

IMO the psychology of this is very interesting. I think Shane is extremely competitive (not much of a surprise). If he were trying to get a higher score than someone else he would have passed all those tasks. Instead he was in exactly the polar opposite -- he had to do what someone told him to do, and he would "fail" if he didn't do what he was told. And...he didn't like that. Psychology is key both in learning and performing. It was pretty clear to me that the psychological (and social) conditions of this test were contrary to the performance domain he excels in. An example of someone who obviously has worked very hard on the psychological aspects of performance is Ronnie O'Sullivan, and in fact he trains extensively with a sports psychologist. O'Sullivan (in my opinion) is on an entirely different level from every other player in the world (probably something like Willie Mosconi -- although I don't know a lot about his actual play -- and he did have quite a few psychological kinks, to hear about him). O'Sullivan surely has an unbelievable level of natural talent, but more important than that is his obvious success at the actual process of LEARNING through practice; he must be a genuine genius at that part of the game, too. Ronnie O'Sullivan seems to just keep getting better and better -- and that is entirely unheard of in snooker, for someone his age.

[@CHADKANDARIS]

shane probably spent days working to the weak points from these exams.

[@DrDaveBilliards]

That’s certainly his style.

[@JohnSmith-by2fl]

so, arguably the best player on the planet, did not receive the highest level result?? Ya think, maybe the exam needs to be retooled??? C'mon...

[@DrDaveBilliards]

These Exams were designed to challenge even the best players. And after multiple attempts, your scores on the Exams improve as you become more comfortable and learn little "tricks." Shane was taking these Exams for the first time. If he were dedicate time to them, I'm sure he could approach the maximum possible scores.

[@squatch570]

@@DrDaveBilliards What is the point of the top pro being concerned with the maximum score on this exam when he is winning major events anyway? I agree that no one should be completely satisfied with where they are (no matter what level) and should always try to improve but this exam is a moot point for a world class, winning pro... even if they don't earn a perfect score on it.

[@FRANC0033]

@@squatch570 many things in life don't have a particular useful point. It's just a matter of being openminded or closeminded like you seem to be. Maybe there is still a margin of progress even for a world champ. SVB is humble and showed how openminded he is.

[@squatch570]

@@FRANC0033 Just goes to show that you are actually the closed-minded one and you were looking to find an argument because you only keyed in on one portion of what I said. If you read and absorbed my entire comment you would see that I said it's good not to be satisfied with whatever level someone achieves and that they should always strive to improve. What I was getting at, which you clearly missed, was that with Shane's current level of success, being concerned with getting a better score on the Billiards University exam is a worthless endeavor. You can clearly see his disinterest as the exam progresses which is almost certainly the reason he didn't do as well as he should have with his skills. He gave it a try but it's obvious that it bored him after a while.

[@MrAllTimeWinner]

@@squatch570 The use to have such a high level player scoring on an exam like this is to have comparable scores. So you can quantify skill and compare players by scores. Of course the exam can be refined, but that why it could be useful, to have professional players aim to score high. A lot further down the line, assuming the exam kicks off among professionals, which 4 years later appareantly didn't, it would be possible to make inventational tournaments, based on scores, which would create a real interest. Of course you can argue this is not needed, and it probably isn't, but you asked for a reason why it's useful to have good players aiming to score high on such exam. I like the comparing part more, than the inventational idea, because of saying "He is probably among the top 5 best players", You can simply look at a ranking. That as mentioned requires the ranking to be sophisticated and accepted among the community of course.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Here’s my scores: 3 4 2 3 5 1 2 😭🤣

[@user-np8le4iz8r]

Good jumping man