30 Minute Practice structure…

[mjdoutdoors]

In the Cue the Experts episode "Why You're Practicing Too Long" (Season 2, Episode 6) ---

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--- , 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?

 

[JeremiahGage]

First, thank you for watching the show!

My understanding, based on sport psychology and conversations with experts such as Roy, is that the key to productive practice is maintaining full concentration. During repetitive, blocked practice, it can be difficult to sustain that level of focus for much longer than 20 to 30 minutes. Once you notice yourself rushing, going through the motions, or paying less attention, it is usually better to take a break or switch to a different activity.

So I would interpret the 30-minute recommendation as a guideline for each focused practice block, not as a limit on total practice time for the day. You can certainly complete several blocks in one session, provided you include breaks or change the type of task. At some point, however, additional sessions may produce diminishing returns because you need time to absorb and consolidate what you have practiced.

This is also where activities such as playing the ghost, progressive drills, or straight pool can be useful. They more closely resemble actual gameplay, create variety, and require constant decision-making, so they may hold your attention longer than repetitive isolated drills. And few things sharpen your focus more than competition when something is on the line.