When someone who's done it for ages gets in a groove, it's rather like witchcraft haha.
Another method is using solder paste and a heat gun, but I haven't had much luck that way. It's a whole other level. It's amazing to watch, though, since the components just seem to seat themselves properly—it's mesmerizing!
Another approach I've seen involves not even pads with at all. Just be nice and liberal with the flux and go slow: keep a bit on the iron tip and tack down one side—doesn't have to be final, just so it doesn't move around. But you do the other side, then reflow the first and you've got a nice and seated component.
I've also found, especially with smaller boards like these, to orient the board to how your hand like to naturally be so you're not expending extra dexterity ...that sounds like you're making a D&D roll, but the less you're contorting your hand, the better.
I've had to scav for junk boards to practice on, since I've damaged a vintage board once (or twice). Nice to not have to worry about lifting pads or anything if you don't care about it; you can just focus on repetition.
