This question recently came up at lessons. "What is pocket?"

My definition: Pocket is the skill to synchronize with the bassist in such a way that the resulting beat/groove fills the dance floor with smiling faces. 

It has many prerequisites.
 
1. Basic drum technique and coordination. Super chops, though helpful, are not necessarily required.
2. An equally skilled bassist. Pocket is a team effort.
3. Sophisticated aural skills: If you can't hear it in the playing of others you are unlikely to be able to hear it or create it in your own playing.
4. A desire to please others. "Drum sport", another branch of drumming, is more concerned with flash and visual magic over Pocket. In short pleasing oneself and/or showing off. Pocket is about inspiring movement and joy in a listener, in short pleasing others. 

David

Drummer Steve Barnes years ago encouraged me to "get my hands together". Rudiments were a part of that journey. 

David

Truth be told, this beat will work on almost every pop song for the last 4 decades! Try it. 

Have fun. 

Now after you've played along for awhile have a closer listen and you will hear variations of this beat within each video. Billy Jean has half as many bass drum hits. Think Boom Chuck Boom Chuck with the bass drum and snare drum. Another instance of variation is found in  Seven Nation Army starts with just the bass drum and floor tom. Then it gets all crashy on the chorus. 

I can help you sort it out. Call me. 

David

How would you rank the following 7 drum skills?

1. Speed
2. Independence/Coordination
3. Time Keeping/Groove
4. Musical personality
5. Sound
6. Repertoire
7. Technique

My ordering:

1. Time Keeping/Groove. As my mentor Terry Clarke says, "it's all about time".
2. Repertoire. I've always said, "those who know the most tunes wins!"
3. Musical personality. The reason a leader/producer will pick you over an equally skilled musician.
4. Sound. Remember to bring the correct gear.
5. Technique. If your time and tunes are together, how you produce it is less important than you might think. 
6. Speed. If you are playing music that requires it, then rock on. But, most music is not. That being said, keep working on it as I am. 
7. Independence/Coordination. Great stuff, but get your time and tunes are together first. 

I highly recommend you check it out how Larnell Lewis ranks these skills. His advice on improving in each area is time well spent. 

The Big 7: Larnell Lewis Ranks Key Drumming Skills | Podcasts (drumeo.com)

​David

A rudimental warm-up based on the 40-bar exercise from Syncopation, the timeless drumming manual.