A lesson with JBKY.. John Brumback, World Champion.

MOJOE

Work Hard, Be Humble. jbk
Silver Member
I wanted to share my lesson experience with World Champion, John Brumback.

We left my place about 6:30 in the morning yesterday, stopped in KY for a greasy but delicious Waffle House breakfast about half way to JB’s place. He gave me detailed directions, even parked his 4 Runner at the end of his driveway so I did not miss his house. Of course, I was not paying attention, only listening to the OnStar GPS and passed up his home. After traveling a few miles past and “arriving at my destination” according to OnStar, I realized we were a bit lost. Called John and headed back to his house in just a few minutes. He gave me a hard time about not seeing his bright red 4 runner and I deserved it.

He has the TV table from Derby 2010 I believe and it’s a beauty with the matching jet black Diamond light. The cloth on his table is of course Simonis Tournament Blue and the table plays real nice. Pockets are just shy of accepting 2 balls but it still plays real fair.

The lesson was amazing. I brought a friend along so John had us play a game at first so he could observe us both. The very first shot, the break, he say a major flaw in my friends fundamentals which helped him immensely. He also corrected 3 things on my setup that I did not even realize I was doing. What a difference and we had not even gotten to working on banks.

We discussed strategy and let me tell you, JB is standing alone on with his strategic thinking, I was blown away. He shared “free shots” that really change the way I think about pool, more specifically banks which is my favorite game. He showed me things that were not covered on the DVD, which is amazing by the way. If you have not purchased it, don’t hesitate. It’s so full of information that has never been covered, it’s scary.

The lesson was not pre-set and I like that. He tailored it to my needs and level of play. JB was able to watch me play just a short while and offer invaluable advice. He squashed the myths of banking that I thought were relevant. He explained and demonstrated how to make banks the proper way. I can tell you that MOST are NOT making banks the “easy” way.
We did take a short break for lunch, John took us to a small, home style country store that served up good food. Home cooking and it was really good.

John was easy to talk to, as nice as anyone that I’ve ever met and very humble considering he’s a world champion. You would not know it by talking to him as he does not boast on his accomplishments. He has plenty of stories though and knows all of the players. It was such a treat to spend a day with a living legend, I’m thrilled beyond words.

Thank you JBKY for the amazing lesson, great conversation and wealth of knowledge that I hope to work into my game. I’ll be working hard to make you proud. I look forward to talking to you at the DCC next week. Knock em’ dead and take another title this year!
 
IS there any danger of anyone ever providing any real, tangible results from lessons like these, y'know, things that are quantifiable and that?

No? Oh.
 
IS there any danger of anyone ever providing any real, tangible results from lessons like these, y'know, things that are quantifiable and that?

No? Oh.

I guess you don't believe in Driver's Education either.

I'll give you a pass.. I wake up on the airheaded side of the bed sometimes myself. :thumbup:

But, no, I really don't think most people would be willing to spend months and countless hours compiling stats before a lesson and again afterwards.
 
I guess you don't believe in Driver's Education either.

I'll give you a pass.. I wake up on the airheaded side of the bed sometimes myself. :thumbup:

But, no, I really don't think most people would be willing to spend months and countless hours compiling stats before a lesson and again afterwards.

Good answer, and well worded. Peace!
 
IS there any danger of anyone ever providing any real, tangible results from lessons like these, y'know, things that are quantifiable and that?

No? Oh.

I don't know.......maybe he could have given you a lesson to not use WD-40 to try and clean pool table cloth - would that have been quantifiable enough for you? :speechless:
 
But, no, I really don't think most people would be willing to spend months and countless hours compiling stats before a lesson and again afterwards.

There's no need for all that, but there must be something that's tangible? Otherwise, Emperor's New Clothes springs to mind...
 
There's no need for all that, but there must be something that's tangible? Otherwise, Emperor's New Clothes springs to mind...

I can tell that my banking has gotten better since I've been more forward about picking the brain of Brumback and The Beard. There were a few things that I did, thinking that it was right because it worked for me fairly well.. then, to be told differently.. it threw me off, until I put it into practice and saw that it worked better. I'm a decent banker, I'm no DCC champ, but my banks have gotten better by taking their advice and scouring their posts for tidbits of information. There are certain banks that I had some difficulty with before, that now I know how to make.. twists, avoiding double-kisses in different situations, etc etc. If I could actually spend time at a table with these people, it speeds up the process(think phone conversation vs. texting). Cheating a bank angle has become much easier, too.

When you learn the correct way to do things, those things become much more repeatable(ie- easier).
 
There's no need for all that, but there must be something that's tangible? Otherwise, Emperor's New Clothes springs to mind...

Tiger-man,
The other thing that springs to mind IMMEDIATELY upon reading your post is: If you knew what you don't know, then you wouldn't "not know" it.

Danny D says this everytime he hears an observation similar to yours.

Once you develop a standardized written test, and a practical skills banking test; then administer them to students before and after their lessons; you are free to remain skeptical and cynical (though the latter is at your own risk - your reputation is lagging a fair bit behind John Brumback's:)).

I have had several days of lessons from John B. (along with a pro player who jumped at a chance to learn from John), and my observation is IDENTICAL to Mojoe's. John is an excellent and enthusiastic teacher. It would be a pathetically poor student indeed who did not show significant improvement from John's direction.

I would completely crush my "Pre-John Brumback Lesson" self at banks and one pocket:); and so would the pro who also took the lessons with me. Sorry I do not have the cloning technology necessary to prove my assertion for you.
 
Your welcome

You didn't have to say all that but I appreciate It very much.You and your buddy were real easy to work with and picked up on everything real quick.That makes a lesson alot eaiser,LOL the time just flew by. I'm sure glad you liked the lesson.Good luck and see ya at the DCC,good buddy.John B.
 
Tiger-man,
The other thing that springs to mind IMMEDIATELY upon reading your post is: If you knew what you don't know, then you wouldn't "not know" it.

Danny D says this everytime he hears an observation similar to yours.

Once you develop a standardized written test, and a practical skills banking test; then administer them to students before and after their lessons; you are free to remain skeptical and cynical (though the latter is at your own risk - your reputation is lagging a fair bit behind John Brumback's:)).

I have had several days of lessons from John B. (along with a pro player who jumped at a chance to learn from John), and my observation is IDENTICAL to Mojoe's. John is an excellent and enthusiastic teacher. It would be a pathetically poor student indeed who did not show significant improvement from John's direction.

I would completely crush my "Pre-John Brumback Lesson" self at banks and one pocket:); and so would the pro who also took the lessons with me. Sorry I do not have the cloning technology necessary to prove my assertion for you.

Thanks Wllie B!! I somehow don't understand much about what you two are talking about but..I Hope your straight pool games are going good for ya and your banks.I had one of THE best times hangin with ya'll!! Thanks again.Hope you and your nice family are well.John B.
 
I too had a lesson with JBKY. Let me first say that John makes it fun, which obviously helps the process along. Secondly to those who are apparently doubters (thaiger), all I will say is that his technique makes the pockets play larger, which makes many more banks go. John is a great champ and a fun guy to learn from. Do yourselves a favor and run, don't walk to JBKY...
 
I don't know.......maybe he could have given you a lesson to not use WD-40 to try and clean pool table cloth - would that have been quantifiable enough for you? :speechless:

BOOYAH :) Man, you really tuck the ammo away for when you need it !! LMAO....
 
Thank you JBKY!!!

I can't wait to order my copy. Went to the website that has them for sale and I just look at where he was hitting the cb ( a little above dead center ) and my banks improved! I was using all kinds of english before and bottom and my banks were all over the road. Now if just looking at a picture of him shooting made me better I know I am going to get that DVD. I hope he pays a visit to the azbilliard room I would so like to see him play some of the guys in there.
 
I can't wait to order my copy. Went to the website that has them for sale and I just look at where he was hitting the cb ( a little above dead center ) and my banks improved! I was using all kinds of english before and bottom and my banks were all over the road. Now if just looking at a picture of him shooting made me better I know I am going to get that DVD. I hope he pays a visit to the azbilliard room I would so like to see him play some of the guys in there.

Thank you.I will If I can and have time.See ya there.John B.
 
I too had a lesson with JBKY. Let me first say that John makes it fun, which obviously helps the process along. Secondly to those who are apparently doubters (thaiger), all I will say is that his technique makes the pockets play larger, which makes many more banks go. John is a great champ and a fun guy to learn from. Do yourselves a favor and run, don't walk to JBKY...

To request proof is not to doubt.
 
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