In the Cue the Experts episode "Why You're Practicing Too Long" (Season 2, Episode 6) ---
--- , Roy Pastor explains, starting at the 47:55 mark, that for efficient pool practice one should only strive for 30 minutes of practice at a time, mentioning that Efren Reyes suggested this as well. This raises the question: does this mean 30 minutes for each skill you want to work on, or just 30 minutes on one single skill for the day? The best players in the world clearly practice more than 30 minutes a day. Willie Mosconi, for example, would often practice for short periods, take a coffee break, and then go right back to the table. It seems Pastor is actually suggesting 30-minute blocks with breaks for each specific skill, like shot-making, position drills, and breaking. This also leaves open the question of how playing the ghost or playing 14.1 for a personal high run fits into this practice, especially since it is easy to spend hours playing 14.1. The best way to reconcile this is that the 30-minute rule applies strictly to repetitive, isolated drills where mental focus quickly fades, while open-ended application games like straight pool are meant to be played for hours to build your overall table stamina. What are your thoughts on this?
30 Minute Practice structure…
- Thread starter mjdoutdoors
- Start date
Take a break when you lose focus, whatever time that may be. No need to build bad habits. Break could be 5 minutes or two days.
DieselPete
Well-known member
Well, since you asked...
There is no competitive player today that "only" practices for 30 minutes. But if we accept that the point could be that the brain and body needs rests and resets, moving through a progression of challenges that allow us a fresh feeling and attitude, then I am on board.
I do block practice into sections, going from single object ball into increasingly more difficult practice/exercises that move through kicking and safeties, set-up drills, and then I add creativity to the mix toward the end.
A sample day could include:
45 balls into corner pockets, ranging from simple makes to more challenging, all cutting the ball toward my non-dominant eye
45 similar shots toward my dominant eye
45 balls into the sides, selecting a target zone for the cue ball on every shot. I start with floating to areas and work up to two and three rail position play.
Walk around a few minutes and drink some water.
Kick at one ball over and over, restarting on each miss. Do this with purpose, trying to hit a side of the ball, kick it in, or considering speed to leave a certain outcome (like kick and stick, for example). Start with one rail and work up to two and three rail kicks.
Toss out balls and take ball in hand and play a safety. Try to hit it. Repeat. Safety. Kick. Safety. Kick.
Walk around a few minutes and drink some water.
Traditional set-up drills that I take from Dr. Dave's challenges. I'll do one set-up per practice session.
Walk around, drink water, eat a light snack.
Creative run-outs
Start running out the 7-8-9 with ball in hand and record successes and failures. Usually finish about 7-1.
Add the 6 ball and continue
Add the 5 ball
Add the 4 ball
If at any point I lose (more failure than success) I repeat a race to 7 with those balls and do not add another ball.
My break even point (when this becomes pretty tough) is generally the 3 ball.
Done.
If you are playing well, keep going...your mind is on pool.
If you are playing crappy, quit...your mind is elsewhere.
If you are playing crappy, quit...your mind is elsewhere.
Always seemed odd to me that some instructors suggest you only need to practice anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes at a time and then stop for awhile.
Yet most top level players will tell you they got to that pro level by practicing eight (8) hours a day.
???????
Yet most top level players will tell you they got to that pro level by practicing eight (8) hours a day.
???????
They played 8 hours a day to reach a certain level.
You don't have to play 8 hours a day to maintain that level.
DieselPete
Well-known member
From the videos of several pro players, their hours and hours of practice were/are structured like what I described above for myself.
(Not that I am any kind of genius... I literally follow the kind of structure that they describe. I'm sure that some incredibly gifted people rise through the ranks by beating balls and playing games, but so many of today's European pros are taking a more structured approach, with a planned curriculum for every day.)
30 minutes of this
30 minutes of that
30 minutes of something else
Go from simple to complex (and maybe finish with more simple things).
Heck, we have not even mentioned yet that a lot of them start with 15 minutes of stretching.
1) thats ridiculous..none of your best players only practice for 30 mins. Hell Shane will practice the same shot for hours
2) I hate when people use well efferin does this.. I dont care. He has more natural ability in his pinky than we all have combined. Lol
3) I think the key is to know when you’re losing focus and take a break.
2) I hate when people use well efferin does this.. I dont care. He has more natural ability in his pinky than we all have combined. Lol
3) I think the key is to know when you’re losing focus and take a break.
I do 4-5 drills for 7-10 mins each. I take a couple mins. break in between drills and watch one of the big screen TVs in the pool room before resuming. It prepares me since I can vary the cue ball distance in the drills and cut angles so that there’s variety in the same shot. Before I even start, I practice lagging with a Elephant Training Cue Ball (1/2 white & 1/2 Red CB) and have to make a lag shot up & down a 9’ pool table seamlessly without any wiggle or wobble whatsoever.
It is harder than is seems and I have to do it 3 X in a row since doing it once could be mere luck. Repeating it again also could be a mere coincidence. Complete this shot 3x in a row and your stroke is dialed in the way you wanted it to be. But keep in mind that any CB wiggle or wobble after being stroked from the kitchen as a lag shot is disqualified and you must start over.
It is harder than is seems and I have to do it 3 X in a row since doing it once could be mere luck. Repeating it again also could be a mere coincidence. Complete this shot 3x in a row and your stroke is dialed in the way you wanted it to be. But keep in mind that any CB wiggle or wobble after being stroked from the kitchen as a lag shot is disqualified and you must start over.