As I see it, there are 4 different types of practice in pool. I will break down each type of practice and give my opinion on why each is good or bad. Regardless of what you've heard about bad practice is bad, sometimes "bad" practice isn't all that bad. I'll explain later.
Here are my 4 types of pool practice, in order of less desirable to more desirable practice types:
1. Individual, relaxed, non-focused.
2. Partner/Group, relaxed, semi-focused.
3. Individual, structured, focused.
4. Partner/Group, structured (or semi-structured), focused.
Now for the break downs:
Individual, relaxed, non-focused
In this type of practice, maybe you are at your favorite pool hall killing some time or at home playing (if you have a table at home). You are not bearing down trying to pocket each shot, trying to run racks of 9 or 10-ball, nor are you concentrating on technique, aiming, or cue ball control. You're just playing pool for the fun of playing.
Why this is important.
You may be thinking, "Shouldn't I be playing somebody as good or better than me to get better?" or, "Playing pool without focus and determination will make me play worse." You need to occasionally play just for the fun of it. If you're constantly pushing yourself and practicing hard, you will get burned out and frustrated. You might even fall into a slump. See my article about
dealing with the slump. You will definitely get better by practicing hard, but eventually you will reach a point where it's not fun anymore. A bad day of playing pool will turn into a bad week, month, etc. You might also be surprised when you relax and not worry so much about running racks or a high run in Straight pool, that you will fall into stroke easier than you might think. Now, I'm not saying it will happen to everybody, but I've noticed over the years of playing that after practicing hard for a while, then going to play pool in a more relaxed mindset of enjoyment of the game, I shoot pretty good without concentrating hard.
The flip-side.
If you are a serious pool player, should you do this all the time? Absolutely not. Taking a relaxed, just-shoot-for-fun mindset will not improve your game much over time. You have to put yourself in a more concentrated, focused mindset of practice to see improvement.
Partner/Group, relaxed, semi-focused
This type of practice is similar to Individual, relaxed, non-focused, except as the name suggests, you are playing with a partner or group of players. This is also an important form of practice in that you are playing in a more relaxed, enjoyment of the game mindset, only with another individual or group of players, which adds an important factor...competition.
Why this is important.
You may have noticed instead of "non-focused" I used "semi-focused" as part of the practice type. The reason for this is when you are playing a partner or with a group, there is some degree of competition that goes on. Whether you are playing a beginner, an average, or a semi-pro player, at least for me, there is some level of "I'm going to beat my opponent until they leave crying." It happens, don't deny it. Just know when to ease up or you might end up on the couch if it was your significant other you just tortured on the pool table!!
Remember, HAVE FUN!! Pool is fun! I guarantee you the pros do this from time to time. They play because they love the game not just for a paycheck.
The flip-side.
So there's usually a flip-side to most things. Like I mentioned in the previous practice type, don't fall into a habit of always going out with a playing partner or group of players to just "knock balls around." You need concentrated, focused practice time more than relaxed, play-for-fun practice.
Individual, structured, focused
OK, now we are starting to get serious. If you want to improve your game, this is where you need to pay attention. Having individual, structured, and focused practice WILL IMPROVE YOUR GAME.
Why this is important.
What this type of practice means to you is different for everybody. There are
countless ways to practice. Maybe you know your technique needs work, maybe you are having trouble with a particular cut shot, or maybe it's your bank shots that need more practice, whatever it is, you need the individual time on the table where you are really concentrating, bearing down, and giving focused effort. By structured, I mean set up a shot that is giving you trouble and shoot it until you can make it 8 or 9 times out of 10, or play the ghost in 9-ball until you reach an obtainable goal for yourself. Tell yourself, "Today I'm going to practice (insert shot, game, position play, senario, etc. here) until I master this goal." Whatever it is, practicing with an intense, focused, and structured effort and you
will improve your game.
The flip-side.
The only real down-side to this type of practice is that sometimes it might be hard to gauge your improvement...which is where the last type of practice comes in.
Partner/Group, structured (or semi-structured), focused
This last type of practice, in my opinion, is probably the best type of practice, provided you can find a practice partner(s) that is good for you. Finding a good practice partner who is around your playing speed or slightly better WILL IMPROVE YOUR GAME.
Why this is important.
Practicing by yourself with concentration, structure, and focus, is good, but it's lacking one thing, competition. Find a practice partner who is as serious about improving their game as you are yours, and you will have struck gold. Not only will you have the competition factor, but another person (or persons) to split the table cost :) You will not get bored racking for yourself over and over, you will have a "bar" to gauge your playing, and someone to potentially learn from to further improve your game. Sometimes you shoot a particular shot a certain way, while your partner might shoot it differently...the different approach to the shot might come it handy down the road.
The flip-side.
About the only thing I can think of is if you have found a good practice partner, just make sure it's understood from the beginning that the relationship is for practicing and improving each other's game. I wouldn't let the competition get to the point where a friendship is broken. Nor would I play each other for money. It should be a positive, beneficial situation, with the goal being to improve each other's game.
GO FORTH AND PRACTICE!!!!
