Appleton instructional video??
- Thread starter Juice
- Start date
JUICE! Yes it was released today and is available to view online or download at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/17108 for $20
The video covers what Darren has used to become the player he is today… a world champion. He goes over a proper practice routine, fundamentals, mental preparation for tournaments and 11 different drills that can be done the amateur way or the pro way. It's an awesome video with tons of great knowledge… things I've never heard before in any video or personal lesson. I hope you and everyone else has a chance to check it out and I hope it improves your game.
The video covers what Darren has used to become the player he is today… a world champion. He goes over a proper practice routine, fundamentals, mental preparation for tournaments and 11 different drills that can be done the amateur way or the pro way. It's an awesome video with tons of great knowledge… things I've never heard before in any video or personal lesson. I hope you and everyone else has a chance to check it out and I hope it improves your game.
The physical DVD is in production and will be ready for purchase in two weeks. If you're at the bcapl, we will have the DVDs there for sale.
here here... I'm the same; downloading as we speak !
Hear, Hear.
I appreciate a pool player who practices intensely, but I also appreciate a pool player who knows how to write well.
(Not trying to be a di*#, just trying to help my fellow AZers). :smile:
I've always said, if I am incorrect about something, to please help me out as well.
Here’s a quick summary/review: I bought one of the TAR instructional videos by Shane, and I had some mixed feelings about it, but Darren is my favorite player so I bought it today.
Darren starts out by talking a bit about fundamentals, his practice routine, and mental preparation for tournaments.
He then goes into the meat of the video, which is a series of 11 drills - the type with balls placed in patterns around the table and you have to make them with certain rules such as hitting one rail, staying on one side of the table, etc. The drills should be familiar in general, like crossing back and forth across the table one rail, but I believe many of them are original.
All of the drills are tough enough that most players won’t successfully get through them every time. One thing I really like about the drills is that he gives a pro and an amateur version of many of them, like “pros can’t touch any rails, amateurs can hit one rail” or “pros must stay on one side, amateurs can cross over to either side.”
Of course it would be easy enough just to provide diagrams of the drills, and there are lots of similar drills available from a variety of sources. But what makes the video unique is that Darren talks while playing through each drill, evaluating his position and how he will get on the next ball, like “I went too long on that shot,” “I got perfect on that,” and “I’ll use a soft stroke hitting the cue ball at 7:30.” He even says whether he hits the cue ball at AM or PM, like “I hit the cue ball at 8 PM on this shot,” which I think is a first in pool instruction history.
To finish off the video, he spends a few moments to give some instruction on how to jump, but it’s really more of a pitch for a Predator jump cue, which appears to be a sponsor for the video.
The video and audio quality are as high as any pool video I’ve seen. The planning, structure, and instructional value of the video are not quite up to the level of the highest-quality instructional videos by pro pool instructors like Jerry Briesath or Bob Byrne, but it’s not bad. However, the drills are terrific, and the video has the benefit of a top-level pro talking through his thinking while running through them.
Darren starts out by talking a bit about fundamentals, his practice routine, and mental preparation for tournaments.
He then goes into the meat of the video, which is a series of 11 drills - the type with balls placed in patterns around the table and you have to make them with certain rules such as hitting one rail, staying on one side of the table, etc. The drills should be familiar in general, like crossing back and forth across the table one rail, but I believe many of them are original.
All of the drills are tough enough that most players won’t successfully get through them every time. One thing I really like about the drills is that he gives a pro and an amateur version of many of them, like “pros can’t touch any rails, amateurs can hit one rail” or “pros must stay on one side, amateurs can cross over to either side.”
Of course it would be easy enough just to provide diagrams of the drills, and there are lots of similar drills available from a variety of sources. But what makes the video unique is that Darren talks while playing through each drill, evaluating his position and how he will get on the next ball, like “I went too long on that shot,” “I got perfect on that,” and “I’ll use a soft stroke hitting the cue ball at 7:30.” He even says whether he hits the cue ball at AM or PM, like “I hit the cue ball at 8 PM on this shot,” which I think is a first in pool instruction history.
To finish off the video, he spends a few moments to give some instruction on how to jump, but it’s really more of a pitch for a Predator jump cue, which appears to be a sponsor for the video.
The video and audio quality are as high as any pool video I’ve seen. The planning, structure, and instructional value of the video are not quite up to the level of the highest-quality instructional videos by pro pool instructors like Jerry Briesath or Bob Byrne, but it’s not bad. However, the drills are terrific, and the video has the benefit of a top-level pro talking through his thinking while running through them.
Thanks for the review BRussell, will definitely be adding this to the collection.
One question, I've listened to Darren speak in interviews and commentary and couldn't figure what the heck he was saying a lot of the time with his strong accent and tendency to mumble a bit.
Did you notice any of that in the video?
One question, I've listened to Darren speak in interviews and commentary and couldn't figure what the heck he was saying a lot of the time with his strong accent and tendency to mumble a bit.
Did you notice any of that in the video?
...a bit, but not to the point of detracting from the content. The drills are excellent, and outside of calling 'clock positions' on the cb, little commentary is needed, so little is lost in translation.
Well worth watching Darren performing these drills, and worth attempting in our own practice sessions.
Although not discussed, I like seeing Darren 'feel' the shot speed before each shot with several practice strokes at 'port arms' position.
....does Darren shoot any shots with a closed bridge? The break?
Well done video...something for everybody.
Worthy of adding to one's instructional library...if improvement is a goal.
Here’s a quick summary/review: I bought one of the TAR instructional videos by Shane, and I had some mixed feelings about it, but Darren is my favorite player so I bought it today.
Darren starts out by talking a bit about fundamentals, his practice routine, and mental preparation for tournaments.
He then goes into the meat of the video, which is a series of 11 drills - the type with balls placed in patterns around the table and you have to make them with certain rules such as hitting one rail, staying on one side of the table, etc. The drills should be familiar in general, like crossing back and forth across the table one rail, but I believe many of them are original.
All of the drills are tough enough that most players won’t successfully get through them every time. One thing I really like about the drills is that he gives a pro and an amateur version of many of them, like “pros can’t touch any rails, amateurs can hit one rail” or “pros must stay on one side, amateurs can cross over to either side.”
Of course it would be easy enough just to provide diagrams of the drills, and there are lots of similar drills available from a variety of sources. But what makes the video unique is that Darren talks while playing through each drill, evaluating his position and how he will get on the next ball, like “I went too long on that shot,” “I got perfect on that,” and “I’ll use a soft stroke hitting the cue ball at 7:30.” He even says whether he hits the cue ball at AM or PM, like “I hit the cue ball at 8 PM on this shot,” which I think is a first in pool instruction history.
To finish off the video, he spends a few moments to give some instruction on how to jump, but it’s really more of a pitch for a Predator jump cue, which appears to be a sponsor for the video.
The video and audio quality are as high as any pool video I’ve seen. The planning, structure, and instructional value of the video are not quite up to the level of the highest-quality instructional videos by pro pool instructors like Jerry Briesath or Bob Byrne, but it’s not bad. However, the drills are terrific, and the video has the benefit of a top-level pro talking through his thinking while running through them.
What is the difference between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.? Perhaps a.m. is 1 tip away from center and p.m. is 2 tips?
Can someone let me know when it has been uploaded illegally to a torrent site?
Thanks..
(only joking!
)
Thanks..
(only joking!
)
pls don't read my posts
You should have used this emoticon :sorry:
lol there is no difference in AM and PM, just whatever was in his head at the moment.
One thing us bangers to for granted is how extremely hard it is to preform these shots while talking about them. Darren was a true professional to work with and he took this very serious. He really enjoys helping people improve.
Thank you all for watching and reviewing.
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I didn't have a problem understanding him. Especially in the prepared statements he speaks slowly. While he's playing and describing what he's thinking it may be different, but I never had a problem understanding him.
I was referring to here as in where I was, not in the context of listening
I also downloaded the thing. The drills are good; I tried some last night on my table. They are actually pretty tough. He gives a little bit more on mental game etc. The quality of the video is great. Is it worth $20 ? I think so but I like drills. If you don't like drills you won't like it because that is basically the entire video. I did notice though that he shoots with a lot of outside english.....
Won't go into great detail here but just a touch of alignment , stance and grip. Nothing on aiming. He just says that he uses the SEE system.