The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players [Paperback]

Bob Henning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1997

A complete training manual for the competitive pool player, The Pro Book covers the three major areas of training: the physical, mental, and emotional. It stands on the shoulders of the greatest coaches, sport psychologists, and nutritionists working today, not just in pool, but in golf, tennis, martial arts, and others. The Pro Book addresses pre-match planning, post-match evaluation, managing momentum, diet and nutrition, and mental training. It includes processes for refining the shot selection and pre-shot routines, scouting the personal peak performance state, and much more. The Pro Book also contains an advanced reference training system, specifically designed for mastering all aspects of on-the-table execution, including position shots, safeties, kicks, kick safeties, banks, an drills. The Pro Book is used by a long list of professional players and is already back to print for the third time. It is also recognized by players of other sports, such as golf and tennis, as a valuable training resource.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...absolutely new and worthwhile...you'll get significantly more than your 50 bucks' worth." -- Billiards Digest

"The Pro Book is recommended... you will not be disappointed." -- All About Pool

"The Pro Book ranks among the best. For those who aspire to succeed at the highest level, it is a steal at any price." -- The National Billiard News

"If you are serious about becoming a top flight player, The Pro Book definately belongs in your arsenal. Highly recommended." -- Pool & Billiard Magazine

"The last part alone is worth the price." -- News & Cues, Canada

About the Author

Bob Henning was a combat infantryman in Vietnam, a musician, a song writer, a child care worker, an entrepreneur, and a salesman. Since 1988 he has devoted most of his energy to the study of advanced billiards. He is also involved in the development of training techniques and methods for the competitive pool player. In 1999, Bob will be competing in the Camel Pro Billiard Series and will release a five tape videoset based on the reference training section of The Pro Book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 289 pages
• Publisher: Bebob Pub (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887956239
• ISBN-13: 978-1887956239
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!, March 10, 2006

By 

Kevin (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players (Paperback)

Wow, this book totally changed the way I approach playing pool. The reference training described in this book is good, but what really makes it stand out is the coverage of the mental aspects of the game. Things like the pre-shot routine and post game analysis can have a dramatic effect on how you progress as a billiards player. I was also impressed with the clear and concise writing style, which made this book extremely easy to read & understand. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their pool & billiards playing ability.

One thing to note, this book assumes you have a basic understanding of pool & billiards, and doesn't really cover the "just learning" type of topics. If that is what you are looking for, I would recommend 'The Science of Pocket Billiards' or 'The Illustrated Principles of Pool & Billiards' instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For serious competitors with a desire to improve their game..., April 4, 2007

By 

G. Keis (Cleveland, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players (Paperback)

This book (as well as The Advanced Pro Book, by B. Henning) is well worth every penney! I'm sure you have heard that about many instructional books and tapes in the past, but as a competitive pool player for over 20 years I am always looking for new knowledge to improve my game...I can definately say that this book delivers!!

My personal collection of instructional books and tapes is quite large, but none of them has addressed the "core information" that every advanced pool player needs to know to be able to compete competitively on an advanced level "with consistency"...this book gives you that like no other!

It offers "specific and detailed" insight on every aspect of the game. The Pro Book contains information that will open up new doors you never knew existed, and can take you to new heights in your game. Bob Henning supplied much information I needed to take my game to new levels, and stay there! No matter what level you currently play at, if you are serious about improving your game The Pro Book is a MUST!

Just like B. Henning states on the cover of the book... "After 30 days with the Pro Book you will see noticeable improvement in your game!".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Competing at Higher Levels, September 8, 2009

By 

C. J. Jerome (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players (Paperback)

There are many pool and billiard books out there that will help to improve your game, but none that compare with The Pro Book. The author, Bob Henning, consulted over 200 experts in various fields to put this book together. Several chapters cover the physical aspects of the game at a very advanced level, such as reference shots, safeties, kick safes, banks, etc. But for me, more importantly were the chapters covering off-the-table stuff. Things like match momementum (when you're up 5 to 1 and all of a sudden the tables turn and your opponent starts charging back; how do you stop that? Or when you're down 5 to 1, how do you create that shift to come from behind for the win?); Match Dynamics: when you're the favored player going in; how do you keep your ego in check? Or when you're the underdog - how do you overcome the fear associated with that and simply play?; and other things like goal setting; physical training (should you or shouldn't you lift weights?); nutrition; meditation; creating a training schedule. You won't find this critical information in other books relating to this sport. It is the only one of its kind. If you use the book like a workbook and actually keep stats, rate your performances, create the training schedules and follow the practice routines, you'll definitely see a HUGE difference in your game, and I don't mean in just playing better, I mean that you'll finish in the money a whole lot more than you did before. This book is about COMPETING at a higher level -- not just playing better. It's called The Pro Book for a reason.