Book Private Basketball Lessons with Coach Jalen

I have a strong background in basketball, having played for four years in high school, including two years on the Junior Varsity team and two years on Varsity, primarily as a shooting guard and also as a point guard. My strengths lie in my shooting ability and understanding of the game, emphasizing the importance of playing basketball the right way with a focus on fundamentals, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Throughout my basketball career, I have honed not only my skills on the court but also my leadership abilities, which I bring to coaching.

When players train with me, I focus on building their complete game — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s not just about drills; it’s about developing confidence, basketball IQ, and a love for the process. Here's how I help players grow:

We start by assessing their current skill level through drills and light scrimmages. I watch how they shoot, dribble, pass, defend, and move without the ball. Then I talk with them — I want to know how they see their game, what they think their strengths are, and where they want to improve. This helps build trust and gives me the insight I need to create a focused, personalized training plan.

From there, I tailor workouts to their specific needs — whether it’s improving their shooting mechanics, tightening their handle, increasing their defensive awareness, or learning how to finish through contact. I design drills that progress in difficulty over time, always keeping the player challenged and engaged. We might start with form shooting, then move to shooting off the dribble, and eventually add a live defender to simulate game pressure.

Throughout each session, I emphasize technique and fundamentals. I break things down and correct mistakes in real time, using demonstrations or even video feedback when needed. I’m big on details like footwork, body control, and shot consistency, because mastering the basics leads to long-term success.

To help players apply what they learn, I incorporate game situations and decision-making into our sessions — like running fast break scenarios, pick-and-roll reads, or help defense rotations. I teach them to think ahead, make smart passes, recognize defensive sets, and find scoring opportunities. These moments grow their basketball IQ and help them understand how to play the game the right way.

Just as important, I work on the mental side of the game. I help players build confidence, stay focused under pressure, and bounce back from mistakes. We use techniques like breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk to stay locked in during tough moments. I also coach them on leadership and teamwork, helping them become great teammates and communicators — not just scorers.

Improvement doesn’t stop when the session ends. I give players independent drills to work on outside the gym and encourage them to study the game by watching how great players perform. We also have regular check-ins to review progress and set both short-term and long-term goals — from learning a new move to making varsity or becoming a team captain.

And above all, I make sure the process stays fun. When players enjoy the game, they naturally want to work harder. I celebrate every bit of progress — big or small — and help them fall in love with getting better.

When I train players, the focus isn’t just on getting shots up — I’m developing their full game and mindset. Every session is structured, intentional, and built to help them grow as athletes and as people. Here's how a typical session flows when you're working with me:

We start with a dynamic warm-up to get the blood flowing — high knees, lunges, arm circles — then ease into light dribbling just to wake up the hands and feet. Right after that, I run a quick skill check — I watch how they dribble, shoot, and defend so I can adjust the rest of the session based on what they need that day.

From there, we lock in on ball handling. I take players through both stationary and movement-based dribbling drills — crossovers, between-the-legs, zigzags, cones — and then apply light pressure to simulate real-game situations. That transitions into shooting work, starting close to the basket to tighten up form and mechanics, then expanding out to spots like the elbows, corners, and three-point line. I also incorporate off-the-dribble shooting so they can learn how to create their own shot in rhythm.

Once we’ve built up the shot, we shift into 1-on-1 offensive moves — jabs, hesitations, spin moves, and step-backs — anything to help them create space. Then we go hard at the rim, working on finishing through contact with a mix of regular, reverse, and floater layups.

We follow that with defense and conditioning. I focus on footwork, defensive slides, and agility drills — because staying in front of your man takes skill and quickness. Even when we’re tired, we keep the standard high.

Before wrapping up, I check in with the player on the mental side of the game — confidence, mistakes, and what their mindset is like. We might do some visualization work, seeing themselves hit big shots or lock up on defense, because belief matters just as much as skill.

Finally, we cool down with static stretching and breathing exercises to help them recover. I give them honest feedback — what they did well, what needs work — and we set goals for next time or things they can work on alone. My goal is simple: every player I train should walk away better than when they walked in — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Chris Torrence stands out as the best coach I’ve had due to his exceptional approach to coaching and player development. He fostered an environment where making mistakes was part of the learning process, allowing us to grow and improve without fear of judgment. His focus on building confidence in each player was instrumental in helping us reach our potential. Unlike many coaches who prioritize physical attributes like height and skillset, Coach Torrence valued determination and hard work above all. He believed in looking beyond appearances to see the true potential in every player, encouraging us to push our limits and strive for excellence. His supportive and insightful coaching style made a lasting impact on both our performance and personal growth.

I bring a passion for the game, a focus on character development, and a commitment to helping young athletes grow both on and off the court. My coaching style emphasizes leadership, discipline, and building confidence, creating a positive and supportive environment for players to reach their full potential.