Capelle's Practicing Pool
- Thread starter thedude
- Start date
thedude said:
There's a few reviews on his website from Billiard editors:
http://www.billiardspress.com/index.cfm
Bigkahuna said:
i own tons as well. but really need something that will help me develop a consistent practice routine. I spend a lot of time at the table, but think I could maximize my time a little better.
Just ordered the book from accu-stats... a long with Bugs Rucker vs. Daulton, and the Bugs vs. Cornbread Red Dvd... so hopefully i will be entertained for a a while.
I recently bought it and started using it. I was hoping for a detailed, specific set of exercises that I could progress through. Well, it's sort of in there, but I'd call his book more of an encyclopedia of good ideas and good drills/practice routines. It's a reference book, not a book where you start on page 1, do what it says until you're good at it, then move on to page 2.
On the other hand, a total beginner might find value in that approach.
Please don't get me wrong--I think the book is a terrific value for the money. But there's very little in it that I haven't seen/heard from other sources. It'll be my main reference for the six-month self-training program I'm putting myself through, yet I was still disappointed at how little true guidance it offered. I wanted step-by-step instruction, and what the book gives is much more of a figure-out-your-own-needs approach.
I suppose that's the only sensible way to write a book for thousands of buyers you'll never meet, but I can still be a little disappointed in it. I can tell you this, too: If you haven't had enough experiences to know what you need to learn first, you won't even know where to begin in his book. I bet a lot of people with poor strokes, for instance, will jump right to the aiming and/or position play drills. That won't help you.
On the other hand, a total beginner might find value in that approach.
Please don't get me wrong--I think the book is a terrific value for the money. But there's very little in it that I haven't seen/heard from other sources. It'll be my main reference for the six-month self-training program I'm putting myself through, yet I was still disappointed at how little true guidance it offered. I wanted step-by-step instruction, and what the book gives is much more of a figure-out-your-own-needs approach.
I suppose that's the only sensible way to write a book for thousands of buyers you'll never meet, but I can still be a little disappointed in it. I can tell you this, too: If you haven't had enough experiences to know what you need to learn first, you won't even know where to begin in his book. I bet a lot of people with poor strokes, for instance, will jump right to the aiming and/or position play drills. That won't help you.
thedude said:i own tons as well. but really need something that will help me develop a consistent practice routine. I spend a lot of time at the table, but think I could maximize my time a little better.
Just ordered the book from accu-stats... a long with Bugs Rucker vs. Daulton, and the Bugs vs. Cornbread Red Dvd... so hopefully i will be entertained for a a while.
You could buy some Pool Skills Drills DVDs they are pretty good if you are looking for drills. Bert Kinnester stuff is pretty good too. The presentation is not that great and is even a little off beat at times but there is some good content and many of these are of him giving instruction so you can see the development of the student happening. I bought a bunch of his stuff amongst some other stuff on ebay and would have been disappointed to have paid full boat for some of his stuff.
I guess my liking Capelle's book has in part to do with the fact that I do some instruction with team members and there is some great content in there for that.
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I have this book at home. I bought my copy about 6 months ago from Blatt Billiards. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think most books out there cover pretty much the same material. I buy books in the hopes that next one will reveal some inner-truth everyone has so far overlooked. No such luck,
What I liked about this book is how Mr. Capelle break down his chapters. Depending on if your a total beginner, intermediate, advance player, you can start your reading at different point in each chapter, and skip the redundant stuff.
The book itself is spiralbound, making it easy to read on laying flat on a pool table or propped against the drink shelf. My copy of Willie Mosconi's on Pocket Billiards came apart after a couple of readings. So, this is made for 'heavy duty' use.
Something I have not seen in other books is Capelle's method for setting up practice shots. Mr Capelle spends a chapter or two covering the use of loose leaf hole reinforcement stickers, aka donuts, and a yard stick for setting up shots. The donuts are elegant, simple, and alot more effective and cleaner than marking the table with chalk.
Using the donuts I found it easy to precisely set up shots, especially trickshots, Wei's cuetable or Joe Tucker's drill book. For me, its was a ah-ha, so simple, elegent and effective. At my stage of the game, I'm still focusing on consistent shot making and stroke.
Later when I get better (making it to at least D- level), I'll go back and read his chapters on pattern play, 8-ball, 9-ball, and league strategy.
What I liked about this book is how Mr. Capelle break down his chapters. Depending on if your a total beginner, intermediate, advance player, you can start your reading at different point in each chapter, and skip the redundant stuff.
The book itself is spiralbound, making it easy to read on laying flat on a pool table or propped against the drink shelf. My copy of Willie Mosconi's on Pocket Billiards came apart after a couple of readings. So, this is made for 'heavy duty' use.
Something I have not seen in other books is Capelle's method for setting up practice shots. Mr Capelle spends a chapter or two covering the use of loose leaf hole reinforcement stickers, aka donuts, and a yard stick for setting up shots. The donuts are elegant, simple, and alot more effective and cleaner than marking the table with chalk.
Using the donuts I found it easy to precisely set up shots, especially trickshots, Wei's cuetable or Joe Tucker's drill book. For me, its was a ah-ha, so simple, elegent and effective. At my stage of the game, I'm still focusing on consistent shot making and stroke.
Later when I get better (making it to at least D- level), I'll go back and read his chapters on pattern play, 8-ball, 9-ball, and league strategy.
thedude said:
I bought the book as soon as it came out. I think it is Cappelle's finest work. The book is definitely worth the money.
Still_Learning said:
i'd agree with this 100%
Oh well... got trigger happy and already ordered the book... I probably shoulda got his straight pool book... I shoot a lot of straight pool and one pocket and just wanted to get something that may have some routines/drills that may add a bit of diversity to my practice routine. thanks for all the opinions.
Still_Learning said:
I don't have this book, but will probably get it after reading the reviews. I might suggest, if you don't have it yet, a book (booklet? pamphlet?) by Joe Tucker called guaranteed improvement. He has some good drills in there.thedude said:i own tons as well. but really need something that will help me develop a consistent practice routine. I spend a lot of time at the table, but think I could maximize my time a little better.
Just ordered the book from accu-stats... a long with Bugs Rucker vs. Daulton, and the Bugs vs. Cornbread Red Dvd... so hopefully i will be entertained for a a while.