videos or lessons?

gpeezy

gpeezy

for sale!
videos or lessons?which of these do you think will help your game the most.videos,once you buy them they are yours to keep.but its also good to be able to discuss what you are learning.books also,but me myself i don't stick to the books as i would a video or a live session.give your opinions.if videos are best for you which ones?if one on one lessons with an instructor, name who.
 
A book or video can give you information. An instructor can observe you and give you specific help with any trouble areas in your individual game. A mix of instruction and books/videos is the best of both worlds, as long as you can separate the facts from fiction that are found in a lot of books and videos.
There are several good instructors who post here, and several others who don't. Without knowing where you live, or if you are willing to travel, it's hard to recommend anyone.
Steve
 
If you have the cash,go for live instruction. I have personally spent more money on books and videos than I could get lessons for 2 people from Steve above.

I have the entire Monk video collection by Tim Miller. Although this collection has helped my game, I'm far from being as good as I want to be. I am currently an SL5 in APA 8-Ball.

One thing to keep in mind about videos is that the camera angle is not always where it needs to be,and sometimes the instructor may be just a little confusing when explaining things.

Other books/videos I have are:
Billiards;Improve Your Game (Megan Minerich 3-DVD set)
99 Critical Shots In Pool (Book)
Idiots Guide To Billiards (Book)
Advanced Pool (Book)
Shoot Pool (Book)
Willie Mosconi On Pocket Billiards (Book)
Also tried several other videos over the years

So,as you can see I've spent alot of money on those things. If I had known sooner that I could get lessons at a reasonable price I would have gotten them.
 
what about bert kinister?

what about bert's tapes?what about his school?i beleiv he gives lessons also.
 
It depends on where you are in your game. Have you ever taken lessons before in any capacity? If not lessons, had a player with great fundamentals help you on yours? Are you confident that your fundamentals are great? If you have stroke problems you need to get those fixed, a video won't do it for you. If you need help on a specific aspect of your game and you know of a good video for it, get the video.
 
jes_playin said:
One thing to keep in mind about videos is that the camera angle is not always where it needs to be,and sometimes the instructor may be just a little confusing when explaining things.

If I had known sooner that I could get lessons at a reasonable price I would have gotten them.
Click to expand...

Although books and videos have their benefits...try this: set your book down on the table, or stop your video in the middle, and ask a question. I have yet to see one of these provide an answer.:rolleyes:

It is the instructor's responsibility to know correct camera angles...and also have the ability to communicate on several different levels. If they cannot do these things, imo, they are not a 'qualified' instructor.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
The other thing is, make sure the instructor you choose works on your fundamentals. If he just gives you some drills (The Monk) it won't help you in the long run.

Yes, I have some regrets about videos vs. getting instruction...

I'd get the pro book before bert's tapes. Again, it depends on where you are.
 
gpeezy said:
videos or lessons?which of these do you think will help your game the most.videos,once you buy them they are yours to keep.but its also good to be able to discuss what you are learning.books also,but me myself i don't stick to the books as i would a video or a live session.give your opinions.if videos are best for you which ones?if one on one lessons with an instructor, name who.
Click to expand...

You need both, esp. if you are a newbie

For someone just starting out, I don't think you can
do better than Bob Byrne's intro videos and book.

I think the best idea would be, use the book and videos
to get some understanding first, then get lessons from
an instructor, finding one who is competent can
be a problem, attitude and patience are more important
than playing ability - esp for a beginer

HTH
Dale<wish I was this smart when I was learning>
 
Last edited:
I think books and videos are great for learning the basics. If you want to take your game to the next level tho, you should go to an instructor that can coach and observe you. The only problem with an instructor, IMO, is be careful who you choose. I know some "A" players that give lessons, but some of the things that work for them do not always work for the people they are teaching (i.e. bridge length, gripping of the butt of the cue, etc.). Also, it is sometimes very hard for someone with natural talent to "teach" because it is so natural to them and not everyone.

Southpaw
 
I would like to add to the list of already good suggestions to up your game. Along, with reading books, watching instructional videos, watching myself on tape, i felt that my game jumped a notch after attending my first live pro event. I was able to see, up close and personal, the different styles of play from one player to the next. I tried to pay as much attention to types of stroke and patterns with an open mind. With that knowledge in mind, it's taken me a good amount of practice to get where I am with a long road ahead of me.
 
lessons maybe

i'm not learning how to play from scatch,i actually play pretty sporty if i'm hitting em good.i'm at that spot between.i live in the north alabama area.anyone know anyone "good" to take lessons from?
 
Scott Lee said:
...and also have the ability to communicate on several different levels. www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

IMO this is one of the hardest things about teaching. You have to be able to say the same thing, but several different ways in order to make sure your point is actually understood.

You can get alot of great information (and some not so great) from books and tapes, but if the way they say it isnt the way you understand it you might miss something you really need to know.

You can become a good player with just books and tapes, but it will take LONGER to get there ;) And if you miss one flaw that could have been corrected by an instructor you may never reach your full potential.

If you cant get to an instructor, I recommend checking out some of the items and material Joe Tucker puts out. IMO he has some of the best teaching aids on the market. You can check him out at joetucker.net
 
Last edited:
gpeezy said:
videos or lessons?which of these do you think will help your game the most.videos,once you buy them they are yours to keep.but its also good to be able to discuss what you are learning.books also,but me myself i don't stick to the books as i would a video or a live session.give your opinions.if videos are best for you which ones?if one on one lessons with an instructor, name who.
Click to expand...


Get a video of your lesson.
 
I actually learned the basics through trial and error...not the way to go if you have the opportunity to work with a good techer. The only good thing is I know my game REAL well and I can fix most things without having to go back to a teacher.

25 years down the road I'm now working on one pocket, and Accu-stats vids along with vids featuring Grady, Efren, Ronnie Allen, Allen Hopkins, and a bunch of other greats have helped me more than ANYTHING! I think 1 hole is a game you can learn by watching.

If you are still learning the basics of pocket billiards search out a coach and shave a few yeas off the learning curve!

Gerry
 
I suggest a combination of instruction, videos and books. An instructor can really help in developing a better stroke---which is difficult to learn form a video or book. Videos are good to see actual shots in progress and have someone explain the sequence. While books may not have worked for you in the past--thats OK, but I would suggest one of Byrnes books and just take it one page at a time. Then use it for reference.

Now the hard part. It's hard to tell the good from the bad. I recently purchased a DVD set by a top player. Total junk. The same with some books. Some intructors may not fit your learning style. Good players do not necessarily make good instructors. How many great football coaches are Hall of Fame Players?
 
022607.jpg
 
Last edited:
oceanweb said:
Put some hard earned cash up in a money match....that we help your game more than anything.
Click to expand...

There is no guarantee that gambling will improve your game...it's entirely possible it will just cost you a lot of money. Most people don't learn much from losing, except how to lose. I ran into a guy in the pool room last week. He was watching me giving a lesson, and came up to me later and told me if I had been around 20 years ago, it could have saved him thousands of dollars..
Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top