I appreciate what Dr. Dave has done for the game, but some of his stuff is just too much like traipsing in the weeds. Take SAWS for example. It's great that it exists, but other than it giving you an idea of the process I just don't see much more value.
I mean, calculating a table for something like this? Use it for what it is, the concept. Use it as a base to practice mastering side spin, but it all seems a bit silly? Knowing a chart won't make the shots for you. Make the chart if you like, but then be sure to use it as a baseline and practice each shot with progressive drills until you can make them 5-10X in a row. Then throw the chart away and work on the next weakest area of your game.
The dead accuracy of the chart isn't important, it's how you incorporate the info into your game, through practice.
And please don't misconstrue this. I think what Dr. Dave does is great. I just think that some of this stuff gets too far off the beaten path to be something for beginners to be working on. At an APA 4 you would be much better nailing your fundamentals and PSR. Work on that stuff while you're doing other drills/practicing shots that you find interesting or needed to improve your game. But fundamentals and PSR should always be the main part of your routine until they are mastered to the point they come naturally.
Look up some progressive drills and especially different variations of the wagon wheel drill to help master english.
Always stay down on the shot and observe. That's how you learn. Learn throw and gearing english, these are very important concepts in the use of english. Shot making and position play are the same thing. It's a disservice to treat them as separate. Find some old straight pool matches and watch how precise they control the CB. Much of this is by using "throw."
This is a good one. Watch with great interest just how little english they use, and pay particular attention to when and how they use it. The commentators are good on this match, so learn from them also.
Honestly I stopped watching DD a while ago. Too scientific for my taste. I do so much better just running drills and practicing than trying to figure out all this math junk. LOL
Same. I do rely on him for concepts but once we start traipsing through the math book I find little value. The math is like a proof, but you have to put it to actual existence in the physical world and on the table. For me it's easier to just see what happens on the table, some may have a different approach, and that's okay too.
The physics of this game are entirely complicated, there's so many real world factors to apply that makes it so the math doesn't always add up. The concepts are sound but pool is more art than math. It helps to not be ignorant and know concepts while practicing but you don't need to do math to play pool.
