Does anyone know where I could find a book on defensive strategies and safety play. I think that one was written recently and there was some talk on here about it awhile back. Primarily interested in those related to rotation games but 8 ball would work too. Also, if anyone has any advice, my main concern is how to refrain from taking lower percentage shots in lieu of safeties. Seems this gets me into more trouble than most other areas of my game. I would like to be able to recognize when to play a safety vs going for the shot. I know it sounds simple but if you look back, I think this is a key area in games lost. Thanks.
Defensive strategies/safeties books
- Thread starter lawful777
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Randy Givens' "The Eight Ball Bible" has the best written stuff on safeties in 8 ball I've seen. Lots of the usual authors have sections on defensive play.
Often you will have to control the cue ball precisely for good safety play. Any drill that requires you to put the cue ball on a spot should help.
Often you will have to control the cue ball precisely for good safety play. Any drill that requires you to put the cue ball on a spot should help.
I think Larry Schwartz wrote a book on 8-ball, not sure of the name, but he is a smart stratagist. [hope that is a real word]
Safeties
Check out "The Safety Toolbox" by Allan Sand. It's an entire series of DVDs. GF
Check out "The Safety Toolbox" by Allan Sand. It's an entire series of DVDs. GF
Here are some good resources on this topic in addition to the ones mentioned already:
free online safety play advice
VEPS-III - Safety Play and Strategy (DVD)
VEPP-IV - Patterns and Safety Play (DVD)
VEPS-III - Safety Play and Strategy (DVD)
VEPP-IV - Patterns and Safety Play (DVD)
Regards,
Dave
Book on 8-ball defense?
I actually wrote a book years ago called, "Fifty Game-winning 8-ball Safety Shots" and later expanded it to 100 shots. Sadly, it has never gone to print.
Where are you located? If you're ever in the Gainesville, Fl area, give me a call. I teach 15 VARIETIES of 8-ball defensive shots...
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
I actually wrote a book years ago called, "Fifty Game-winning 8-ball Safety Shots" and later expanded it to 100 shots. Sadly, it has never gone to print.
Where are you located? If you're ever in the Gainesville, Fl area, give me a call. I teach 15 VARIETIES of 8-ball defensive shots...
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
As Bob Jewett mentioned, Givens' 8-Ball Bible is good. I just can't give it an endorsement on defense alone.
Surprised that no one has mentioned the Capelle 8-ball book. It's written top to bottom with an emphasis on the defensive style intrinsic to 8-ball. It contained some of my first lessons on 8-ball defense, and opened a door to a deeper appreciation for that game.
Also, Bob Henning put together a Pro-Safeties book last year. I picked it up at SBX. More geared to 9-ball, but the concepts can be applied to any cue sports. Only drawback is it's relatively expensive for a single-subject instructional manual compared to other books with a more varied approach.
Surprised that no one has mentioned the Capelle 8-ball book. It's written top to bottom with an emphasis on the defensive style intrinsic to 8-ball. It contained some of my first lessons on 8-ball defense, and opened a door to a deeper appreciation for that game.
Also, Bob Henning put together a Pro-Safeties book last year. I picked it up at SBX. More geared to 9-ball, but the concepts can be applied to any cue sports. Only drawback is it's relatively expensive for a single-subject instructional manual compared to other books with a more varied approach.
Safeties/Defense
Thank you all for your posts. I do think I have a real thick 8ball book by Capelle that I remember having some diagrams in it. I will have to dust it back off. Donny, thanks for the offer, I am up in Michigan so probably not soon but you never know.....Thanks again for all the advice.
Thank you all for your posts. I do think I have a real thick 8ball book by Capelle that I remember having some diagrams in it. I will have to dust it back off. Donny, thanks for the offer, I am up in Michigan so probably not soon but you never know.....Thanks again for all the advice.
From my experience when a player reaches a level of play and says to themselves "you know I don't think I am seeing the safeties" most of the time it isn't about "knowing the safes" or "knowing the shots"; most of these players have the knowledge already but just don't use what they actually already know. Many of them know why it is good to freeze to a blocker, leave the ball your opponent needs to hit in the center of the table or to leave a wide angle kick or multiple rail kick if possible and 100 other little things about safes that most people know.
Most of these guys are just approaching the table with preformed ideas. When they are walking up to the table they are already deciding about how they are going to run the table, what ball(s) they are going to shoot or how to put a ball in a pocket. They already have the basic knowledge but they can't "see" the "best" shot because the "offensive mind" has already taken over when they are still 6ft away from the table. I have a flow chart that might help you about how to think about this stuff in a little more organized manner, shoot me a PM if you want me to send it to you.
Most of these guys are just approaching the table with preformed ideas. When they are walking up to the table they are already deciding about how they are going to run the table, what ball(s) they are going to shoot or how to put a ball in a pocket. They already have the basic knowledge but they can't "see" the "best" shot because the "offensive mind" has already taken over when they are still 6ft away from the table. I have a flow chart that might help you about how to think about this stuff in a little more organized manner, shoot me a PM if you want me to send it to you.
Great points!
As usual PGH has a well-thought-out and useful response!
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
As usual PGH has a well-thought-out and useful response!
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor