A Word on Shot Aptitude

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A Word on Shot Aptitude

May 13, 2020
Damian
Analytics, Metabase, Pool Metrics, Pool Stats, Posts, Sabermetrics
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There has been minor controversy surrounding this stat. Mainly gauging a player’s ability with regards to time. It is true that while time is a major factor in these equations, it’s not the only factor at hand. More goes into these equations than simply time. Time is a weight, like any other measure. Also, since every player will have shots they spend more time on, the sample size levels out on the whole.

Most mathematical/scientific innovations and statistics don’t find practical use at the start and can take years to achieve maturity. It’s only until someone realizes what they can benefit from it that it becomes a socialized norm.

You use pool stats as a gauge of your ability. We don’t all need to become Filler’s or Shaw’s in aptitude, but increasing your aptitude will improve your game and conversely as well.

How does one increase their shot aptitude and how will it help you?

Make your shots.
If you’re going to miss, miss on difficult shots, not easy ones.
If you are overthinking your game and taking too long to decide, adjust yourself to making better quicker decisions.
Play more and better defense.
Watch your foul game. Sometimes we get forced to foul, but other times it’s on us.
Get used to playing with a shot-clock to speed up your thought process and decision making abilities.
If you are making harder shots, but taking too long to execute, your shot aptitude will drop slightly. Instead, try having better cue ball placement so the next shot is easier and faster.

That list isn’t comprehensive, but, do these things and your shot aptitude will increase. Use shot aptitude as a guide not as a ranking, but a ranking it also is.