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Meet Dmitry: Your Pool Coach and Mentor

About me

Instruction Tailored to Your Needs

My name is Dmitry Kallestinov, and I am a recognized PBIA and Level 2 ACS instructor. I hold both M.S. and B.S. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Iowa, and I’ve worked as a software engineer ever since. Despite my technical background, pool has been my passion for nearly 20 years.

My engineering mindset, combined with two decades of playing and studying the game, allows me to quickly diagnose issues in a player’s mechanics and help them troubleshoot their game with clarity and precision.

My Training and Credentials

With over 20 years of experience as a player, I’ve developed my own coaching program by studying and working closely with some of the most respected instructors in the industry. My background includes:

  • Completing the Professional Billiard Instructor Association Certification Course taught by Randy Goettlicher
  • Graduating from a National pool academy under Tom Simpson
  • Working in multi‑day, hands‑on training sessions with top instructors, including:
    • Mark Wilson
    • Tor Lowry (Zero‑X Billiards)
    • Gordy Vanderveer
    • Nick Varner
  • Studying a wide range of instructional materials, including the full Dr. Dave video series and other advanced training resources

Teaching Methods

In my teaching, I begin with a detailed stroke analysis using multi‑angle video recordings. I film the student from three different perspectives and review the footage with them on a large screen using the Coach View app. This allows us to break down every component of the stroke while clearly highlighting the nuances that can be improved.

To make the learning process even more effective, I also use Projection Pro Billiard technology and a mirror‑booth setup. This combination gives students real‑time visual feedback: they can immediately see their stroke path, alignment, head position, and delivery errors as they happen. Instead of guessing what went wrong, students learn to recognize and correct their mistakes on the spot.

Unlike traditional instruction where lessons are often taught in bar and pool hall environments, reference points are marked with chalk or stickers, and detailed video analysis is rarely provided — my approach is built around technology, clarity, and efficiency. As someone who has gone through many different training methods myself, I’ve learned to appreciate what actually works long term. That’s why I’ve designed my classes to be extremely efficient: students get immediate visual feedback, faster diagnosis, and a clear understanding of how to fix their technique both during the lesson and on their own.

A consistent, reliable stroke that holds up under pressure is the foundation of every successful shot in pool. Once a student develops solid fundamentals, we progress into further topics such as aiming systems, positional play, speed control, patterns, kicking systems, banking, and strategic decision‑making. For a full overview of my coaching services, visit the Services page.

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