Popular Tetris Mode:
On the Main Screen highlight Marathon and Hold L and press Select. Then on the Marathon Selection screen there should be a new game mode called Popular Tetris.

More Control Over Pieces:
If you keep pressing the button to flip a piece rapidly while it is about to land, it will not stick and you can move it left or right to where you want it. This way even if it is falling really fast you can hold it and roll it to where it is needed.

Thanks to Revolution reader Kevin Bondelli!