How often do you practice?

I travel  about 200-250 days within a year together with my trainer/manager Michael Neumann and so it is sometimes hard to find the time for practice. It also depends on what time in the season we are talking about but when I find the time, I usually practice 2 times a day. 1 session in the morning, 1 in the afternoon with my trainer and in between I have a fitness session and some mental training. So I try to stay on the top of my game at all times but it is also important to get some breaks in between.

How long do you practice?

My training sessions are mostly 2 hour sessions but then fully concentrated. My trainer and I believe in quality and not quantity and I have never been the person that needed 8 hours on the pool table every day. I am not saying it isn`t good but everybody has to find out his/her own training rhythm. The importance is that you are fully concentrated on what you do and how you do it. Your brain will absorb anything you do whether it is positive or negative.

Difference between practicing and playing?

It is important to know that practicing and playing is not the same thing. A lot of amateur players I worked with have never really practiced on their own. They mostly go to the pool room and play a couple of sets with someone else. Playing is good, because it gives you match experience, but it is elemental to practice as well. By practicing you can work on specific areas and strengthen them so that you can count on it during a match. I know playing drills is not always fun but it will make you better for sure. Set up a plan on what you want to work on, choose drills, set goals and you are good to go.