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Helen is a true lover of the game of basketball. After competing in high school, Helen wanted to continue playing the game. She walked onto the basketball team at Wake Forest where she played for four years.
When Helen’s playing days were over after graduating from Wake Forest, she wanted to stay involved in basketball, so she turned to coaching. She has been involved in intercollegiate athletics for over twenty-five years at a number of schools including Wake Forest, US Naval Academy, Merrimack, Princeton, and MIT.
When Helen stopped coaching at the college level, she turned to coaching kids, which is where she is today.
How did you decide to become a private coach?
I really enjoy coaching, especially younger kids that are in eighth grade and below. Kids are eager to learn and they are very malleable at young ages. Not enough coaches today are teaching youth players the fundamentals. But my passion is to make sure that kids of all ages are taught the right way to execute the fundamentals and play the game.
What can a client expect from private lessons with you?
A client can expect a lot of personal attention to their needs. I like to be very detailed in determining skill level and skill development. I want to spend the proper amount of time getting to know what the client’s needs and goals are. Once we have figured this out, I focus the lesson on what they want to achieve from the work we will do.
What is your coaching style?
I am a pretty laid back coach. I gear my instruction towards where the player”s skill level is and find ways to help them understand what I am trying to communicate. I like to find examples and use analogies that will help them understand what I am trying to get them to do. As I get to know the client better I can figure out how they communicate,what they are interested in,and tailor my coaching towards what they like and need.
What is the most enjoyable moment you’ve had as a private coach?
Truly the most enjoyable moment is when I have been trying to teach a kid something, they work on it, go through it and try to figure it out, and then they finally get it. There is a disconnect between intellectually understanding something and then physically learning how to do it. After kids have been working so hard to teach their body how to perform and then they finally master the skill, they are so excited. Their excitement is the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of being a private coach.
Who is your favorite coach and why?
My favorite coach is the coach whose passion is to teach kids. Their only goal is the kids’ development and the kids’ enjoyment of the game. I respect and appreciate coaches that are coaching for the right reason, and there are so many of those types of coaches out there that don’t get enough recognition.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy using my passion for the game and helping people achieve their goals. I wasn’t a great player, but I love to do for kids what I wish someone would have done for me. I love working with kids and teaching them both basketball and life skills.
If you would like to book a session with CoachUp Coach Helen click here
