David L.

My coaching journey spans 7 years across multiple levels, from youth development to varsity high school basketball. I served as a varsity coach at Lewiston High School for two years, where I developed game strategies and mentored student-athletes in competitive league play. For the past 5 years, I have owned and operated Hillside Hoops Youth Basketball Program, where I specialize in fundamental skill development for players ages 7-13.
I hold current Safe Sport certification and have completed specialized youth basketball training modules through USA Basketball, ensuring I maintain the highest standards for athlete safety and age-appropriate coaching methods. My experience working with young athletes has given me expertise in breaking down complex basketball concepts into digestible, fun learning experiences that build both skills and confidence.
Through my work with Hillside Hoops, I've helped develop young players who have learned the game and taken to continuing it at higher levels.

My basketball career spanned from high school through the collegiate level, with consistent recognition for performance and leadership. At Lewiston High School, I earned 1st Team All-Conference honors during my senior year and was runner-up for Conference Player of the Year.
I continued competing at the collegiate level, playing for both Anna Maria College and Central Maine Community College, where I was named to the All-American Team of my conference. Beyond school basketball, I competed in high-level AAU basketball, helping my team capture the Maine State Championship twice and advancing to compete at the National Tournament level.
This combination of high school accolades, collegiate All-American recognition, and AAU championship experience has given me a comprehensive understanding of basketball at multiple competitive levels, from local conference play to national-stage competition.

Warm-up & Assessment: Dynamic activation drills followed by skill evaluation to understand player goals and current abilities.
Skill Development: Focus on 1-2 key skills using constraint-based learning - I modify the environment to guide players toward discovering solutions rather than just demonstrating techniques.
Live Competition: Game situations (1v1, 2v2, small-sided games) where players immediately apply new skills against real defenders and develop decision-making under pressure.
Game-Realistic Shooting: Contextual shots when fatigued - off screens, catch-and-shoot from multiple spots, coming off dribble moves, and transition situations.
Conditioning: Basketball-specific explosive movements when appropriate for player development.
Each 50-minute session builds basketball IQ and decision-making skills while focusing on areas where players can make immediate improvement.