2 hours training with Hunter Lombardo

TomHay

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If you told me in the late 1990's I would be paying and taking a lesson in playing Pool from Hunter Lombardo I would have laughed and called you crazy.

That would be around 16 years ago where I weighed 50 pounds less and was not eligible due to age to play on the Seniors Tour The Miz had started. I would probably be to old for that tour now, LOL.

I had to give the game up with but a few times hitting a ball so I could build on money to retire.

I get to retire and my back has gone South on me, pretty identical to Tiger Woods recent operation but a little more complicated.

This brings us to the heart of the story, lessons by Hunter.

Though we don't hang out we act as friends but with Hunters attitude I think most that meet him would find a fast friendship.

Hunter had his work cut out for him, trying to fix an old guy.

Hunter carries with him a bag of tools. Each tool helps give a visual on you understanding the why and how of what he is explaining to do. They are quite simple, a matter of Duh, why didn't I think of that but at the same time without Hunter explaining the directions for you they would be meaningless. I won't explain much about the tools as they would be mass produced and sold on ebay without the proper instruction needed for each individual.

I found quickly due to bad habit or extra weight (or both) my approach to the table and stance were way off. This is very important as you aim during your approach and stance. I promise you if you do a correct approach and stance you could pretty much make the shot without looking at the ball. I can also pretty much promise you if you do your approach and stance and than start to wiggle a little or move your bridge hand you will miss (naturally the further between cue ball and object ball the more often).

We spent about one hour fifteen minutes on this as habits are hard to break. I shoot left handed and Hunter was able to push me with ease off balance with one finger to my left shoulder. I did not reach the point of getting down perfect every shot in that time period but gained the knowledge and tool to allow me to do what one must, PRACTICE till it comes like breathing.

The next 45 minutes were on Aim eye sight to use as you are ready to approach and get down on the ball. Again Hunter had a visual understanding tool (guide) to do this with. Though fully understood from his explaining and watching him do it things became a little harder as I had to over think to put everything together as one package. I think everyone knows how frustrating it can be to over think or in my case think at all.

Surprisingly it got a little easier, more on shorter shots than longer ones but I could feel my back hand loosening up to the point my back grip felt more like the 1990's or 1960's for that matter.

Will I now conquer the World tomorrow? No, LOL. I need to lose weight (biggie), see my chiropractor for more settings and practice till its done like taking a breath. I will be spending much time on a table alone to do this as if playing someone (especially for money) it would be to easy to slide back to where I am presently more comfortable. I plan a follow up lesson in May.

If Hunter gets in a location near you I highly recommend you consider a lesson and watch, do what your asked and don't argue as that defeats the purpose of learning.
 
Interesting...thanks for sharing your training experience with Hunter.

Would be interested in taking a lesson too if I lived in US.
 
Nice write up. Thanks for the review. I talked briefly with Hunter at the SBE this year and he seemed very easy to talk to.
 
Jennifer berratta trains with him. Where was the training session and about how much if you dont mind?
 
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I met Hunter back around 2000 at the DCC. He come by our booth where I had my Stroketrainer and he fell in love with. He was one of the many players that endorsed it at the time. I have a video of him using it with a guy named Tim (The Austrian Oyster) White out of Florida. The Austrian Oyster was training him at the time and I knew Hunter was going to be a good player. He has always been polite to everyone and I feel people could learn a lot from him. Pool could use a few more people like him. Glad to here everything went well for you with him.
 
Great post Tom, nice insight and details. Good luck to you on getting your game where you want it to be. Good luck to Hunter on his endeavours as well.
 
Nice write up Tom. Hunter is a heck of a nice guy and will get you on the right track. Now you will be ready for some 1pkt when you get up this way.
 
Hunter needs to trim his hair. It seems like he spends a lot of time lately moving it out of his eyes before he shoots. Can't be good for the pre shot routine:smile:

JC

Edit: this is not supposed to be mean spirited. I just noticed this watching him in some recent matches.
 
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Thanks for the heads-up on Hunter Lombardo giving pool lessons!

JoeyA
 
i cant say enough positive things about my lessons with hunter lumbardo.
his understanding of fundamentals and mechanics are as strong or stronger than his playing ability. which is world class imho
his ability to dissect your game and see whats wrong and come up with a way to make it right for you is outstanding
he also understands the shots and strategies so he can take you from the fundamentals to game management
very few instructors can do both
my game really took off after my time with hunter
great teacher,player and greater person
 
I've attended a few group clinics or demonstrations but have only had 6 actual lessons in my pool career of 25 years and have played at an "A" level for a while. Most of what I've learned has been from books, watching videos, and a lot of practice and experimentation. I'm also a teacher myself, and am pretty picky about who I take lessons from. I need to feel like I'm getting my money's worth and that it's not something I could just figure out on my own.

Well, 4 of those 6 lessons have been with Hunter in the past year or so, one as recently as last weekend when he was in town again. The first three lessons were really one long 12 hour lesson broken up into 3 separate sessions over about 6 months as our schedules permitted, this last one was more of a recap and to fine tune a few things.

Great guy, great player, I learn something every time, including things I can put into practice in my own teaching. I appreciate his teaching style - his perceptiveness and ability to pick up on subtle things - and that his shots and/or drills match my playing ability and are challenging.

If you get a chance to train with him, definitely do so!!!
Scott
 
Hunter needs to trim his hair. It seems like he spends a lot of time lately moving it out of his eyes before he shoots. Can't be good for the pre shot routine:smile:

JC

Edit: this is not supposed to be mean spirited. I just noticed this watching him in some recent matches.

He could always use a couple of those bobby pins Earl used back when he was a longhair.
 
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