Are You Practicing Wrong? The “Deliberate Practice” Method

Most pool players think they’re improving just by spending hours at the table. But there’s a huge difference between playing a lot and practicing effectively. If you’ve ever hit a plateau or wondered why your game isn’t getting better despite regular practice, it’s time to consider a new approach: deliberate practice.

What Is Deliberate Practice?

Deliberate practice is a structured, focused, and feedback-driven way of improving performance. Unlike casual practice—where you might just shoot racks or play games—deliberate practice targets specific skills with intentional effort.

Coined by psychologist Anders Ericsson, this method is what elite performers in fields like music, chess, and sports use to reach world-class levels.

How It Applies to Pool

In pool, deliberate practice means working on your weaknesses, not your strengths. It’s drilling that tricky cut shot, mastering cue ball control off a certain angle, or working through a pattern that always gives you trouble. It’s not playing a race to 7 with your buddy for two hours. That’s fun—but it’s not deliberate.

Here’s what it looks like:

Define a goal: e.g., stop scratching on the break.

Isolate the issue: practice 20 breaks focusing only on cue ball control.

Get feedback: record yourself or have a coach/partner critique.

Repeat with adjustment: tweak your stance, break speed, or cue tip position based on results.

Why Casual Practice Fails

Shooting the same shots you’re already good at reinforces comfort, not growth. Your brain thrives on challenge. Practicing shots you always make may boost confidence temporarily but does little for actual improvement. Deliberate practice, though less "fun" at times, delivers faster skill acquisition.

The 4 Key Principles

Focus on one thing at a time
Don’t multitask. Work on a specific shot or skill in isolation.

Push your limits
Find your edge—where you're making mistakes—and stay there.

Get immediate feedback
Use a mirror, camera, or coach. Don’t trust “feel” alone.

Repeat intelligently
Don’t just do reps—analyze each one and make adjustments.

A Sample Routine

Here’s a 45-minute deliberate practice plan:

10 mins: Spot shots with cue ball placement drills

10 mins: Safety shot scenarios

10 mins: Cue ball control with spin

10 mins: Practice common position routes (e.g., 5 to 6 ball)

5 mins: Self-review or video analysis

The Results?

Players who adopt deliberate practice often see rapid improvement—not just in shotmaking, but in decision-making, consistency, and confidence. It’s not magic. It’s method.

TL;DR:
Deliberate practice isn’t about playing more—it’s about practicing smarter. Stop mindlessly shooting and start drilling with purpose. That’s how you break through to the next level.