So a bit of a review from me of the iPAT "Pool Billiard Workout - starter" booklet.
I just got this in the mail and I am very pleased with it. I had read a lot of reviews so it was what I expected - a ring bound booklet (not a proper book) with a pretty average translation from German to English.
The content is perfect for me as a beginner focusing on some key basics like follow, draw, straightness of your stroke and some simple cue ball control/positional play.
There are 10 tests and each test has a set of rules and a diagram which is well drawn and represents the drill well (the rules need rereading sometimes due to translation issues)
Each test has a set scoring system, which once you get your head around is relatively straight forward (until you get to adding it all up!)
I finished my first run through of the tests which took me about 2 hours. I am sure the time here will be cut down massively once I get used to the drills and don't have to reread the booklet 3-4 times.
I then spent half an hour setting up a spreadsheet to hold my results and do the calcs for me (these are a bit tedious and confusing at first!)
End result is I scored 851 which puts me at their second level: Black & White, whatever that means! I think I need to get 80% minimum in each test and get over 1,000 points, that is what I am aiming for anyway.
Other than the result by recording scores it has also highlighted some areas I am very poor at which will allow me to focus my practice a bit more:
1) Frozen rail shots - knew this already
2) Speed control - I thought this would be easy!
3) Small area positional play - surprised I was better at the large area
I was happy to get the max on the second test which is the straightness of your stroke. Being a beginner, and having just got Jerry's DVDs, all I have really focused on is my stroke. Slow back, elbow not moving, pause, follow through :smile:
Anyway, just wanted to share my experience. I am the kind of person who loves targets so recording these results and then trying to better them definitely appeals to me!
I would definitely recommend to fellow beginners who want a little more focus in their practice sessions.
I just got this in the mail and I am very pleased with it. I had read a lot of reviews so it was what I expected - a ring bound booklet (not a proper book) with a pretty average translation from German to English.
The content is perfect for me as a beginner focusing on some key basics like follow, draw, straightness of your stroke and some simple cue ball control/positional play.
There are 10 tests and each test has a set of rules and a diagram which is well drawn and represents the drill well (the rules need rereading sometimes due to translation issues)
Each test has a set scoring system, which once you get your head around is relatively straight forward (until you get to adding it all up!)
I finished my first run through of the tests which took me about 2 hours. I am sure the time here will be cut down massively once I get used to the drills and don't have to reread the booklet 3-4 times.
I then spent half an hour setting up a spreadsheet to hold my results and do the calcs for me (these are a bit tedious and confusing at first!)
End result is I scored 851 which puts me at their second level: Black & White, whatever that means! I think I need to get 80% minimum in each test and get over 1,000 points, that is what I am aiming for anyway.
Other than the result by recording scores it has also highlighted some areas I am very poor at which will allow me to focus my practice a bit more:
1) Frozen rail shots - knew this already
2) Speed control - I thought this would be easy!
3) Small area positional play - surprised I was better at the large area
I was happy to get the max on the second test which is the straightness of your stroke. Being a beginner, and having just got Jerry's DVDs, all I have really focused on is my stroke. Slow back, elbow not moving, pause, follow through :smile:
Anyway, just wanted to share my experience. I am the kind of person who loves targets so recording these results and then trying to better them definitely appeals to me!
I would definitely recommend to fellow beginners who want a little more focus in their practice sessions.
