Book Lessons with Coach Taylor

Throughout my career, I have designed and facilitated youth programs, led workshops, mentored young people, and coached basketball in various settings. My background in youth development has strengthened my ability to build trust, communicate effectively with athletes and families, and create engaging learning experiences that produce results. I understand that every athlete learns differently, and I pride myself on adapting my coaching approach to fit individual needs and goals.

As a lifelong basketball enthusiast, I am passionate about skill development, game IQ, leadership, and helping athletes translate lessons from the court into everyday life. I enjoy creating structured, high-energy training sessions that improve ball handling, shooting, footwork, decision-making, and confidence while keeping players engaged and motivated.

A typical training session with me is structured, intentional, and tailored to the athlete’s age, skill level, and goals. I start every session by setting a clear focus—what we’re working on that day and how it connects to the athlete’s overall development.

We begin with a dynamic warm-up that includes movement prep, footwork, and light ball-handling to get the athlete physically and mentally engaged. From there, we move into core skill development, which may include ball-handling progressions, shooting mechanics, finishing around the rim, or defensive footwork depending on the focus of the session.

Once fundamentals are activated, I shift into game-speed reps and decision-making drills. This is where I introduce reads, spacing, reaction work, and situational training so athletes learn how to apply skills in real game contexts—not just drills. I often incorporate constraints or competitive elements to build focus, urgency, and adaptability.

A key part of my training style is feedback and correction in real time. I don’t just run athletes through drills—I teach, adjust, and reinforce habits so they understand not only what to do, but why it matters.

We typically finish with competitive segments like 1v1, 2v2, or pressure shooting games that simulate game intensity. I end each session with a short cool down and a quick reflection, highlighting progress, reinforcing growth, and giving one or two clear focus points for next time.

Overall, my sessions are designed to build complete players—athletes who are confident in their skills, smart in their decision-making, and prepared to compete in real game environments.

I have been coaching since I was 16 years old, beginning with an 8-year-old basketball team and continuing to coach youth athletes for nearly two decades. My experience includes coaching middle school girls basketball, a Jr. NBA boys team (ages 13–14), and travel softball teams (ages 10–13), while also providing individualized skill development and mentorship.

What sets me apart is my professional background in youth development. For more than ten years, I have worked with young people as a coach, trainer, facilitator, and mentor. Through that work, I have learned how to build meaningful relationships, meet athletes where they are, and create positive environments that help them grow both athletically and personally.

As a former high school basketball and softball player who went on to play two years of junior college basketball, I understand the dedication required to develop as an athlete. More importantly, I understand how influential a coach can be in a young person's life. I am passionate about using sports as a vehicle to teach leadership, resilience, accountability, and confidence.