Practice or Books Which is Best? My Son-in- Law is a #7 in APA League... never read any Billiard Books.... Only Play! So which is better Books or just playing!!!
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Practice or Books Which is Best?
- Thread starter billiardshot
- Start date
Playing is the best way to get better especially if you play around other players that make you better.
Nothing wrong with books. I’ve learned many things from books and reference them routinely.
Growing up, between work, family and school I didn’t have a lot of time for pool but always played in at least 1 league.
Today with streaming tournaments, teaching videos, books and coaching there a lots of ways to get better.
Nothing wrong with books. I’ve learned many things from books and reference them routinely.
Growing up, between work, family and school I didn’t have a lot of time for pool but always played in at least 1 league.
Today with streaming tournaments, teaching videos, books and coaching there a lots of ways to get better.
I find pool books to mostly be for the egos of the authors and collectors (which I am a bit of). They’ll reinforce what you already know to be true. That which you don’t already know will most likely escape your attention. Most gems in them may give you an aha moment that you still can’t execute without dedicating table time to developing. So often you’ll find the best books try to guide you on how to practice in ways you won’t follow through with. And often the flat pictures, words and illustrations just don’t convey enough. I think instructional videos are a major step above books. After that I’ll equally put above a good coaching session, competition with better players, and practice (or better yet “training”). I’d only put books above getting advice from league night teammates.
Practicing the right habits is important.
If a prep for league involves a 2 beers and some chicken wings, then that is a different interpretation of pool.
Pool has been fun as an individual activity, like running, banking, forum use and a visit to the pool tour.
Reading is not good, the interpretation can go wrong by a lot if left unattended.
If a prep for league involves a 2 beers and some chicken wings, then that is a different interpretation of pool.
Pool has been fun as an individual activity, like running, banking, forum use and a visit to the pool tour.
Reading is not good, the interpretation can go wrong by a lot if left unattended.
Practice?? Practice?? We talkin' 'bout practice??
When I mention Bryne , Fred The Beard, and Robin.. . He ( my Son-in -law) said who... made me realized ... Do we ready need books or just need to practice. Or have someone/ coach show us?
In the absence of a conmunity like an oppressive terrorist state, books are what is available.
Today anyone can make a book. Does that mean its better. Serving different needs is a better description for having multiple mediums.
Today anyone can make a book. Does that mean its better. Serving different needs is a better description for having multiple mediums.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
Yay, another learning-bashing thread.
Maybe some people can't learn from coaches or books. Only a dipshit would think that is a good thing.
Of course table time is the most important thing. There has never been a champion of any sport who didn't physically practice. I also expect there hasn't ever been a champion of any sport recently who didn't read about his sport and have coaches.
Maybe some people can't learn from coaches or books. Only a dipshit would think that is a good thing.
Of course table time is the most important thing. There has never been a champion of any sport who didn't physically practice. I also expect there hasn't ever been a champion of any sport recently who didn't read about his sport and have coaches.
Willie Mosconi taught me how to play. He did it through a book.
A couple of years ago I saw a current world champion and a possible future world champion discussing a shot. A complete system for the shot was in a book 40 years ago. Pool players don't read, so of course they didn't know the shot. Pool players are often as stupid as stumps. That doesn't keep them from playing pretty well, but books can help them get there faster.
Jean Balukas said she had never read a pool book but she had the tremendous advantage of seeing someone run 200 balls any night of the week she wanted to watch.
A couple of years ago I saw a current world champion and a possible future world champion discussing a shot. A complete system for the shot was in a book 40 years ago. Pool players don't read, so of course they didn't know the shot. Pool players are often as stupid as stumps. That doesn't keep them from playing pretty well, but books can help them get there faster.
Jean Balukas said she had never read a pool book but she had the tremendous advantage of seeing someone run 200 balls any night of the week she wanted to watch.
Bob ... Which do we spend too much times reading books, and not enough time playing ???
I don't see it as either/or. There is plenty your son-in-law could learn from books.
Which is sadder, someone who can't read or someone who won't read?
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
Your son-in-law is an apa 7. That and a rock will get you something to throw at the pope in the woods.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read. Mark Twain
That I agree Bob ... I show him a shoot I learn from a book... Then he Show me a shot from a rail using top right English, which I show him a same shot using draw from the rail
The perfect poolist anyone?
There's a lot of commercial info in books that will simply lay out a genre for you to be comfortable in. Obviously the onus is on the reader to "respond to the information"; this, regardless of the relevance of such pursuits.
There's also bullshit in the predator pool. You may learn to swim and feed, you may not. Most discover they are the food and take up more sensible 'pussuits' (kidding). The onus is still on the individual.
Academically speaking, pool to me is mostly skill. It only takes enough brains to recognize your work and then do it; with a strong overview to manage it of course. Fargo, tourneys, scores, all irrelevant. If your designs involve winning events, you should be involved enough in those areas to know the deal AND be able to steer your craft thusly.
Knowledge is power. The focus accrued keeping your nose to the grindstone is enough mental toughness to take on competition. I see a majority of players displaying this kind of pedantic behavior. They don't always win. Their problem, their avocation.
Outta thoughts. Just wanted to fire off some literacy...
There's a lot of commercial info in books that will simply lay out a genre for you to be comfortable in. Obviously the onus is on the reader to "respond to the information"; this, regardless of the relevance of such pursuits.
There's also bullshit in the predator pool. You may learn to swim and feed, you may not. Most discover they are the food and take up more sensible 'pussuits' (kidding). The onus is still on the individual.
Academically speaking, pool to me is mostly skill. It only takes enough brains to recognize your work and then do it; with a strong overview to manage it of course. Fargo, tourneys, scores, all irrelevant. If your designs involve winning events, you should be involved enough in those areas to know the deal AND be able to steer your craft thusly.
Knowledge is power. The focus accrued keeping your nose to the grindstone is enough mental toughness to take on competition. I see a majority of players displaying this kind of pedantic behavior. They don't always win. Their problem, their avocation.
Outta thoughts. Just wanted to fire off some literacy...
really you need both
knowledge is power but you have to be able to execute it
for example at your son in laws level
if he learned a few kicking systems he would probably be ahead of other 7's
be tougher to play safe against
probably help him win a few more games than he now loses because he gives up ball in hand missing the kick
just 1 example
jmho
knowledge is power but you have to be able to execute it
for example at your son in laws level
if he learned a few kicking systems he would probably be ahead of other 7's
be tougher to play safe against
probably help him win a few more games than he now loses because he gives up ball in hand missing the kick
just 1 example
jmho
Guided, coached practice is best. I have had many students who simply drilled in bad habits on their own...
Have HIM evaluate his strengths and weaknesses and find what addresses his weaknesses on Youtube. A lot faster than scouring through pages of a book that might not go into enough detail or any at all. He can find plenty of videos specifically on his needs. And the best part...FREE! Then put it into practice and play. Since he's already a 7, he can focus right into the areas that will have him beating just about everyone.
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