Instructional Question??
- Thread starter Jeeves
- Start date
Jeeves said:What books or dvds are recomended to help a beginner player enhance his or her game weather it is 8 ball, 9 ball, 10 ball, 14.1, or carom billiards? I know we have covered the instructors before, just focus on the literature for now, thank you
I'm not sure whether you mean a beginner player overall or a beginner player to 14.1 or carom, etc.
Byrnes's standard book is the best overall, imo.
The BCA booklet and/or dvd (featuring BCA Master Instructor Jerry Briesath) "How to Play Pool Right" is, imo, the best, most economical thing out there...particularly for a beginner. The booklet can be gotten FREE...the video costs $15.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge
I picked up The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards by David G. {Dr. Dave} Alciatore a while back, when I was starting to work with a new student. Lots of color illustrations and references to his online stuff. I haven't been all the way through it, but it seems to be one of the better of the "newer" books out there. That said, you can't go wrong with Bob Byrne.
Well, for my two cents worth, nothing compares to Brynes instructional videos. IMO, anything second to these, runs a very far second.
As far as watching the pros play, Accu-stats.com has all you could ever want. I think they are a vital part of training.
I believe one of the reasons so few folks play the game well is that they have never been exposed to SEEING how its done. Unlike baseball, or tennis, or even bowling, pool was always in the smoky back room. These videos of matches break that false impression of the game and allow some great exposure to the game that will help your play.
A book or two next to the old thinking chair can't hurt, but back to Brynes videos. They are a class act and can show you what you need rather than leave it to your interpretation as books do.
Books are a great reinforcement to things we already know about the game. But to learn fresh from the gitgo, there's no better way than to see it.
Private instruction is good, in fact, may be a needed portion of training in so far as catching bad habits before they develop beyond repair. But once you leave the lesson the visualization leaves you also. The videos can be replayed over and over at no additional cost.
As far as watching the pros play, Accu-stats.com has all you could ever want. I think they are a vital part of training.
I believe one of the reasons so few folks play the game well is that they have never been exposed to SEEING how its done. Unlike baseball, or tennis, or even bowling, pool was always in the smoky back room. These videos of matches break that false impression of the game and allow some great exposure to the game that will help your play.
A book or two next to the old thinking chair can't hurt, but back to Brynes videos. They are a class act and can show you what you need rather than leave it to your interpretation as books do.
Books are a great reinforcement to things we already know about the game. But to learn fresh from the gitgo, there's no better way than to see it.
Private instruction is good, in fact, may be a needed portion of training in so far as catching bad habits before they develop beyond repair. But once you leave the lesson the visualization leaves you also. The videos can be replayed over and over at no additional cost.
Robert Byrne's videos 1,2, and 5 and the Breisath video are all great. You can probably get good deals on ebay. Byrnes first book is also excellent. If you already know the basics and beyond and are just looking to learn 14.1 then Capelles book on the game is excellent as are all of Capelle's books.
Byrnes worked for me. A great place to go is the local library for books or videos. Free and many to choose from.
3andstop said:Well, for my two cents worth, nothing compares to Brynes instructional videos. IMO, anything second to these, runs a very far second.
As far as watching the pros play, Accu-stats.com has all you could ever want. I think they are a vital part of training.
I believe one of the reasons so few folks play the game well is that they have never been exposed to SEEING how its done. Unlike baseball, or tennis, or even bowling, pool was always in the smoky back room. These videos of matches break that false impression of the game and allow some great exposure to the game that will help your play.
A book or two next to the old thinking chair can't hurt, but back to Brynes videos. They are a class act and can show you what you need rather than leave it to your interpretation as books do.
Books are a great reinforcement to things we already know about the game. But to learn fresh from the gitgo, there's no better way than to see it.
Private instruction is good, in fact, may be a needed portion of training in so far as catching bad habits before they develop beyond repair. But once you leave the lesson the visualization leaves you also. The videos can be replayed over and over at no additional cost.
All you said and more.
A few additions worth note:
Mastering Pool - George Fels <THE best intro to 14.1>
99 Critical shots in Pool - Ray Martin - mostly individual shots
illustrate valuable concepts
Don't overlook the xcelnt info from Bob Jewett - online from sf acad.
Dale Pierce
...which is just ONE reason why I record the entire lesson on dvd(s), and present it to the student, at the conclusion of the lesson, for their permanent review. You can watch your OWN lesson again and again, over weeks, months, or even years. I've had several students who, after realizing that things they had forgotten about, and were trying to correct, were right there on the video lesson...sometimes even years later! Nothing replaces one-on-one instruction, and seeing yourself on tv! 
The next time you read a book or watch a dvd (not your own), ask it a question! You'll be waiting a LOOOONG time for a response! LOL
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
The next time you read a book or watch a dvd (not your own), ask it a question! You'll be waiting a LOOOONG time for a response! LOL Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
3andstop said:Private instruction is good, in fact, may be a needed portion of training in so far as catching bad habits before they develop beyond repair. But once you leave the lesson the visualization leaves you also. The videos can be replayed over and over at no additional cost.
Scott,Scott Lee said:... The next time you read a book or watch a dvd (not your own), ask it a question! You'll be waiting a LOOOONG time for a response! LOL
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
You don't really understand us people with multiple personalities do you. We can ask and answer all by ourselves. Who was I when I got my lesson from you? I wasn't wearing a Roman Centurion's outfit I hope.
I think you could learn more from discussing your questions about pool on here than you ever could from a book, due to the fact that the highly knowledgeable forum crowd can discuss the concepts with you interactively, and offer deeper explanations for concepts you might not fully grasp on the first pass.
I know I've learned a LOT about pool from this forum, and as long as you can spot the posts of those who don't know what they're talking about, a lot of the threads on here have serious educational value.
-Andrew
I know I've learned a LOT about pool from this forum, and as long as you can spot the posts of those who don't know what they're talking about, a lot of the threads on here have serious educational value.
-Andrew