Best book on fundatmentals?

E

eales

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Observation suggests that the number one thing that the people I play with
(and myself for that matter) should be working on is their fundamentals.
Yet most books have little to say on the subject. For example, Byrne's New
Standard Book of Pool and Billiards devotes chapter 1 to fundamentals (18
pages). Which book has the best treatment of how to improve?

Jim Eales
 
You will have to run a search because I don't remember the name of the book but it was written by the late Hal Mix, and it was the best book on fundamentals that I have ever seen...Good luck! Marc
 
eales said:
Observation suggests that the number one thing that the people I play with
(and myself for that matter) should be working on is their fundamentals.
Yet most books have little to say on the subject. For example, Byrne's New
Standard Book of Pool and Billiards devotes chapter 1 to fundamentals (18
pages). Which book has the best treatment of how to improve?

Jim Eales
Click to expand...


Hey Jim,

The underlying problem with writing/reading a book about fundamentals is that it's VERY difficult to verbalize exactly what goes into proper mechanics. Imagine a beginner baseball player trying to learn from a book and you can get a sense for what I'm talking about.

As for your observations, you have no idea how correct you are. In fact, EVERYONE works on their fundamentals constantly. It is part of the neverending journey of being a pool player. Players will often rate their performance of the day based on their ability to pocket balls. This is exclusively a fundamentals issue.

There are several books out there that go over the basics of proper mechanics (do's and don'ts) but I strongly suggest experience over all other learning aides. You really need to witness solid play by someone with proper fundamentals. This may mean going to an instructor, attending some professional tournaments, buying some accu-stat video tapes or doing a combination of them. Seeing good pool and reading about it are two entirely different worlds. Watching a single 1-hour match between two top-flight professionals can be more rewarding for many than reading a 400-page book on the subject (trust me, I've read those books). What happens in a single 3-minute game could take hours to explain in detail.

I know this is considered an advanced tool but it really fits nicely in what I'm saying. I would strongly recommend Phil Cappelle's Archer vs. Reyes DVD/Book. Not only do you get to see two of the greatest players of our time battle it out, you also get a full explanation of every key shot, why they did it and what their options were. Although it doesn't discuss fundamentals in much detail, you get to SEE how these players stand, how they hold their cues, their rhythm and speed. I cannot say that all of the great players have read books. In fact, I'd be willing to bet many haven't bothered. What I can guarantee is that they've all seen great pool prior to performing it.


Best of luck on your travels,

Jude M. Rosenstock
 
Dear Eales,
The American language is difficult to interpret. I wrote a book in 2000 on just fundamentals, about 80 pages with more than half of it dedicated to the fundamentals of hitting the cue-ball at a target.

Mr. Cappelle endorsed the book as an excellent read for amateur players. It was recieved by most readers as a reminder of the many things they had done to impove their game (through the years), but had forgotten what it was they had done to improve.

Another author said it was too simple. (When he said this I thought, cool!) That was the challenge for me, to verbalize the english language in terms where each component of the game was clear.

I must admit, though, even when I read my own book it is difficult because my terminology and how I express a thought may be a completely different cognitive approach than yours'.

I am not trying to sell my book. My point is that you must break-down each component of the game, practice with intent to improve each area, and then establish a personal reference point (or thought) so that you will not forget it. Ever.

Then again if we were perfect none of this would be any fun.

I also agree with Jude, that watching good players helps more than reading books. Still, you must break down each component of a good player's technique, and also translate this into your own style by interpretation. This is what I call the parrot technique - to mimic that which works. In other words a bird does not watch a dog to learn how to fly; and a human is far more capable than either to do whatever they see.
 
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Banker Burt said:
Dear Eales,
The American language is difficult to interpret. I wrote a book in 2000 on just fundamentals, about 80 pages with more than half of it dedicated to the fundamentals of hitting the cue-ball at a target.
Click to expand...

And what books is this?
 
Th book is called - Billiards: A lifetime Sport. It is the first edition of my interpretation of the fundamental requirements about playing pool.

It is a difficult read. The irony is it is so simple. While writing this book I was being mentored by Marcie Davis, a 34 year high school physical education teacher. The information written was based on the reasearch and testing of over 1,000 high school students, many of which had never played before.

I have played for 40 years. I have worked out and/or competed with Grady Mathews, Rafael Martinez, Massey, Rossman, Billy Palmer, George Michaels, Pillipino Gene, Dave Piona, Roy Yamane, Tony Chohan, Rosas, Ernesto, Ronnie Allen, McCready, Davenport, etc.

Recently I defeated Mark Haddad twice in the same day to win a decent tournament on the west coast. I do not claim to know anthing other than that which I have gained from my experience.

And no, I did not go to the Derby because the cost is a competition vs. expense proposition, and I am not an idiot. Plus, while it would have been great fun, I had better things to do with my time.
 
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