PAT Snooker Vol. 1. Thomas Hein

once – thus it constitutes a first performance review on the basis of which the next few practice steps can be deter-mined.

      Experienced players base their practice on the com-plete PAT package – the main focus of their practice

      materializes automatically: players concentrate on those exercises that produced the least satisfactory results (the fewest points).

      Taking the test before starting your practice (this op-tion is also open to absolute beginners) will help you understand the structure and particularities of the exercises – and enhance your understanding of the importance of individual exercises.

      However, official tests should not be taken more fre-quently than every three months within one ability level.

      Depending on how much time you have for prac-tice, you should establish 3-month targets (prac-tice schedule), e.g. a 50% increase of your results. You can now pursue these targets, for instance, un-til you have reached the desired results three times in a row (however, at least 80% of results stipulated by PAT).

      Hello, I’m Dr. Red...

      ...Welcome to PAT Snooker!

      It is my task to give you assistance and tips for each exercise. If you have any questions, com-ments or problems, feel free to contact me at [email protected].

      Enjoy your practice!

      8

      Coloured levels are also used in other sports, for in-stance in martial arts. Striving to reach the next level is a constant motivator. The tasks required to reach the next level are clearly defined and therefore de-termine your course of action for structured prac-tice. Not least, the level also reflects and documents the athlete’s performance.

      Passing a test is an athlete’s reward for hard work, diligence and the practice time invested in prepara-tion.

      White: Aspiring amateur players are intro-duced to the practice system, acquire the basics of snooker and reach their initial practice targets.

      Red: Amateurs play snooker as a sport and consolidate their basic skills.

      Yellow: The snooker player continuously trains on the basis of the practice sys-tem, strengthens his/her technique and reproduces successful shots.

      Green: The trained player is now able to ap-ply the practice elements in a frame, using the required techniques.

      Brown: Players can use the skills acquired during practice in competitive envi-ronments (tournaments, league).

      Blue Players are increasingly confident and secure in their game. Using PAT components during a match shows visible results. Initial success at tour-naments or championships.

      Pink: Players aim at playing in the upper leagues / 2nd national league and reaching the semi-finals of national tournaments.

      Black: Participation in national champion-ships and the premier league is open to the player.

      Master level: High-quality snooker is played at various levels. Players can produce breaks of 100 points.

      Level tests

      The highlight of nominal values in the levels Gold / Silver / Bronze

      From now on, the nominal values to be reached in the individual exercises, both in PAT 1 and in PAT 2, will be divided into the categories Gold / Silver / Bronze. This is aimed at measuring performance in much more detail. A player’s development ends for the time being once the Gold class has been reached. Participants of the system’s test phase, playing at different skill levels, were noticeably more motivated with the new system. The target was to reach the entry level Bronze – but who would be satisfied with that?

      Who would not like to be the proud holder of a Gold medal?

      Evaluation within one level (6 exercises):

      Nominal value below Bronze: 0 points

      Bronze: 1 points

      Silver: 2 points

      Gold: 3 points

      Calculation of medal:

      Medal points achieved at each level

      6 (Number of exercises)

      Example:

      Nominal value: 2 x Gold = 6 points

      Nominal value: 1 x Silver = 2 points

      Nominal value: 2 x Bronze = 2 points

      Nominal value: 1 x below Bronze = 0 points