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Donnelle D., Covington, LA Basketball Coach

Donnelle D.

Hoops Mechanic

Basketball

BRONZE

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I'm an ACE Certified Personal Trainer with a sports conditioning specialty that is detail oriented due to my primary focus on the processes that drive the results athletes desire. View all coaching experience

This coach is unavailable to take clients at this time.

Training Locations
Training Locations
  • Southern New Hampshire University (NH)

  • 26 years

  • Qualified Private Coach
    Passed Coach Course

  • Adults, Kids, Teenagers

  • Center, Forward, Guard

  • Post Moves, Rebounding, Shooting, Ball Handling, Passing, Defense, Footwork, Moving Without the Ball, Reading the Floor, Agility, Attacking the Rim, Pick and Roll

Credentials

  • Southern New Hampshire University (NH)

  • 26 years

  • Qualified Private Coach
    Passed Coach Course

Services

  • Adults, Kids, Teenagers

  • Center, Forward, Guard

  • Post Moves, Rebounding, Shooting, Ball Handling, Passing, Defense, Footwork, Moving Without the Ball, Reading the Floor, Agility, Attacking the Rim, Pick and Roll

More About Coach Donnelle

I am a nationally certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), with sports conditioning, Vertimax training, and weight management specialties. I'm committed to overall health and fitness as well as promoting an appreciation for the game of basketball and its history. This is done through quality coaching, instruction, ethical conduct and parental involvement. I have been coaching and training young athletes for more than 25 years, and enjoy mentoring, challenging, and guiding athletes through love, discipline, and mental toughness training.

I was recently the head coach of Webb Middle School Boys Basketball in Bell Buckle,TN. I coached the team from a previous 3-11 record to 16-4 (2018-19) and a MTAC Final Four appearance. In our second year (2019-20), we finished with an overall record of 19-3 and an MTAC Championship appearance. I’m formerly the owner of Hoops Mechanic basketball training facility. I was founder and Head Coach of the two-time AAU National Champion Murfreesboro Force (2017 & 2018). I served as the Director of Player Development for the nationally recognized Tennessee Team Pride Girls AAU Organization. I was head coach of the TN Team Pride Girls 14U National Team. Head Coach for The Force Boys 15U AAU Program. Other coaching experience includes, Asst. Boys High School Basketball Coach at Providence Christian Academy 2012-13 season. 14U Head Coach Hot Shots Boys YBOA Program 2011-12. 14U Head Coach The Force Girls YBOA Program 2013. Official Member of AAU. Walk on at Arizona Western College Basketball Team. Veteran of the US Air force where I was a member of the Honor Guard and a competition drill leader/instructor.

I also had the privilege of traveling to Novato, CA in 2010 & 2011 and working with the development team for the world famous NBA 2K Series Basketball game. While there, in both years I was consulted about gameplay aspects to ensure the game authentically replicated real basketball and was used as a motion capture model to have my abilities and fundamental habits programmed into the actual game. In 2010, I was selected as one of 5 members of a gameplay committee flown to Vancouver, Canada to be a consultant for realism aspects of the NBA Live basketball video game series.

I have attended numerous basketball clinics as a player and a coach featuring some of the greatest basketball minds of the sport. These coaches include: John Wooden (UCLA), John Thompson III (Georgetown), Mike Krzyzweski (Duke), Geno Ariemma (UCONN), Billy Donavan (Florida), John Calipari (Kentucky), Bobby Knight (Indiana), Roy Williams (North Carolina), Josh Pastner (Memphis), Danny Manning (Tulsa), Shaka Smart (VCU), Jeff Van Gundy (ESPN Analyst & Former NBA Coach), Hubbie Brown (ESPN Analyst & Hall of Fame NBA Coach), Jamie Dixon (Pitt), Vivian Stringer (Rutgers & Hall of Fame Coach), and many others.

I train athletes in five different areas with varying levels within each. These area are ball-handling, shooting, defense, mind & body, and game application. Athletes are exposed to over 175 specific lessons that are tracked, graded, and maintained for your improvement. Clients are consistently aware of the athlete's progress and training needs at all times.

Athletes are able to receive one on one private basketball development instruction or attend any of the various small group sessions offered depending on the skill level of the athlete and specific needs.

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Client Reviews

Coach Donnelle is a wonderful trainer ! I’ve played at all levels throughout my collegiate career and am starting my professional career this year. The positive energy & enthusiasm he brings to workouts is contagious in a great way ! As a player, in order to grow and become better you have to be able to overcome uncomfortable situation. Our session included discussing my weakness, what he wanted me to improve on, and how to grow in the areas that I need improvement. We worked on things I never worked on in College and he pushed me out of my comfort zone all while breaking down in detail how it can improve my game. Overall, great trainer and I confidently know he will have me prepared for my rookie season overseas.

Coach donnele is an excellent coach with an impressive knowledge of the game of basketball. Over the last couple weeks I have seen much improvement in my shooting and ball handling.

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Coach Donnelle was awesome to work with! I had two sons train with Coach Donnelle while on a quick family getaway. Coach Donnelle did a fantastic job of working with my sons over two, two hour sessions. Coach Donnelle broke down each son's skillsets and worked on their fundamentals. He was teaching them a pro skill set in a way that made sense and that they could understand and follow. Now we have a great repertoire of drills and concepts where they can continue to train and work on their game on their own time. A great overall experience and I would highly recommend Coach Donnelle to any and everyone. Can't wait to get the opportunity to work with him again.

My son is new to basketball and the assessment and practice session with Coach Donnelle is exactly what I was looking for. Coach really knows the game and I can tell already that he is committed to helping kids get better with their game. We look forward to working more with coach in the future.

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Coach Donnelle has been great with my daughter, Sarah! He's very professional and really knows how to speed up the learning process. He has shown great patience, and my girl really is enjoying the lessons!

After two sessions, we are very pleased with Coach Dickson personally and professionally. He is definitely very skilled in his profession and I look forward to seeing my son's game improving.

Coach Donnelle is a Great!! coach (one of a kind). First off, athletes leave your ego at the door before entering for your session. After one session I was so impressed with his coaching/training techniques, he works you physically and mentally, never has my son had a coach to show him what he need to do to get to the next level. Coach Donnelle will build off of where your athlete is and show him/her what they can improve on and show them how to think using their mind. I can see the change and confidence that my son has and this is just the first session. My son is happy with what Coach has worked with him on in his first session. If you don't believe me bring your athlete to Coach Donnelle and I promise you will see a difference. I would recommend Coach Donnelle to anyone. Leslie S.

Coach Donnelle is an excellent teacher. He really focuses on proper form and processes and explains why its important. After a few sessions our daughter is improving and really looks forward to working with him. He is awesome at identifying how a player learns. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who wants to improve.

Coach Donnelle is amazing, insightful, and gives his all during each sessions. I'm amazed at how clearly he communicates to my son the mechanics and science behind basketball. He pushes him to do his best at the same time is encouraging.

Coach Donnelle is absolutely Amazing! He is knowledgeable in all areas of basketball and has helped raise the overall basketball IQ for my nephew. We were looking for high level private instruction to help take my nephew's skill to the next level...and our expectations were exceeded!!! I appreciate how he pushes my nephew outside of his comfort zone, while still maintaining respect and providing quality instruction.

Coach Donnelle has proven to have a great understanding of the sport and the techniques necessary to improve his students skills. After 3 one-on-one private lessons with my son, coach Donnelle was able to instill the confidence necessary to work hard to improve upon the weaknesses. Through giving him the private attention he has given several awesome drills to work on the balance, footwork,and shot technology. Great coach to employ as mentor and motivator.

Me and Tay loved the workout and believed it revealed a lot about the difference between fast and basketball fast. Great trainer.

My son has been working with Coach Dickson for a couple of months and I can definitely see an improvement. He is a wonderful motivator for kids who love the game of basketball. I especially like his hands on approach with the kids, he is on the court with them constantly pushing them to do things they didn't think possible. My son looks forward to every class and he is never ready to leave. His renewed excitement for the game is wonderful to see. I would highly recommend Coach Dickson.
My eldest daughter has been training for Donnelle for only a month and I can see significant improvement already! Donnelle has great techniques on teaching proper form and style, which unfortunately she was never taught in school ball. His training is challenging while his demeanor is soft and caring. That is exactly what we were looking for. I have signed her as well as her two younger siblings up for private sessions as well as group workouts. We are looking forward to the training and improvements! Thank you, Donnelle!
Amazing changes in just one session. My Jazz has been blessed with height, talent and some great coaches along the way, but there was so much untapped potential within her that no one could reach. Then 1 session with Coach Donnelle and it's was like a switch flipped inside of her. She is the one who is working to reach her potential and even when she knows he is going to be hard on her with tough love and physical tests, she cant' wait to get to her sessions. He has an uncanny ability to reach the players and pull out the best in them. We are so blessed to have been introduced to Coach Donnelle and can't wait to see what the future holds for Jasmine. He is an outstanding coach, mentor and man, with him as her Hoops Mechanic... the sky is the limit!
In just two sessions, I am sold on Coach Dickson. My son has been to various different instructors for both baseball & basketball, and I have developed some skepticism when it comes to quality individual & group instruction. In the case of Coach Dickson, it was quickly obvious to me that he has 3 specific strengths I was looking for: 1. His knowledge base is wide. He can teach all aspects of the game (Skill, fitness, mental, etc.) which is not something many can do. 2. His sincerity & passion are evident in his interactions. Far too many people 'go thru the motions' but I believe Coach Dickson is truly invested in the success of his students. 3. He has the communication skills required to TEACH. I cannot state enough how many people I come across know a lot about what it takes to succeed, but do not have the communication skills required to effectively impart that wisdom on someone else. Looking forward to continuing our relationship and watching my son grow as a result!
Coach Dickson has helped my girls greatly!! We have seen a great improvement in how they play. He has helped them develop more confidence, better ball handling skills, and a better understanding of the game. He is VERY patient and professional!!!! I would recommend Hoops Mechanic to any parent who wants their child to do better at basketball.
Donnelle has been working with our daughter for approximately 5 months and what a difference he has made. When you combine a great communicator and motivator with a person possessing a keen knowledge of the game it equates to a phenomenal trainer—that’s Donnelle! Not only has he taught our daughter correct shooting technique, ball handling skills, college level post moves, and effective concentration, but he has helped bring confidence to her game. We have been very impressed with his training and with our daughter’s improvement. We look forward to working with Donnelle for the next few years and are excited to see where his training will lead!
Coach Dickson began working with my son 6 months ago. He attended 3 skills camps and the performance boot camp. He improved all aspects of his game; shooting, rebounding, post play, defense. The boot camp improved his quickness and added 2" to his vertical leap. Coach Dickson is an excellent communicator and knows how to get the best out of each student. His basketball knowledge is 2nd to none. I highly recommend Coach Dickson to teach your son or daughter the physical skills and mental toughness required to excel at the next level.
Coach Dickson has been working with our son for the past month. I am beyond pleased with his ability to break everything down and make it easy for his students to learn. Gavin looks forward to working out with him each week. He has been utilizing the many techniques that he has learned producing excellent results in live games. His middle school coach has commented several times that he can see improved footwork, post moves and overall understanding of the game. I would highly recommend Coach Dickson to any parent with a child that loves the game. Coach Dickson not only wants the kids to succeed in basketball but he truly cares for each of the kids he works with. He makes it easy for the players to ask questions and puts them at ease creating a very fun learning environment. My son is never ready to leave!
I am a basketball coach in the Smyrna area. Donnelle worked with some of the guys from my team and I highly recommend him, if you would like to see your kids improve in basketball. When I first saw him working with the kids from my team...I told myself, Donnelle knows his stuff. Don't just take my word for it, go see for yourself and I bet you will be glad you did. I'm sure your kids will give you a big thank you.. Keep up the good work Donnelle..
Donnelle has been working with my nephew for approximately 3 months. I have seen a difference in my nephew ability to correctly and safely handle a basketball. I have noticed an improvement in his positive mental focus. Coach Dickson is a great motivator and communicator. I look forward to seeing the results from the future training sessions. I would highly recommend him for your basketball training.
I recommend Coach Dickson to everyone that I can. My sons have been working with Coach Dickson for a couple of months now. Both of them have improved so much under his instruction. One thing that I appreciate in particular is that he believes in his students and lets them know that. He encourages them even when they get frustrated with themselves and want to quit. He pushes them to the next level and lets them know they can go there and beyond. He has gotten to know each of my boys and their strengths, weaknesses, and personalities. He adapts his methods to the individual instead of teaching the same way to all kids. He has both of them so excited about the future. Both of them say they cannot wait until next year when they are stronger and better because of these classes. I am so grateful that we found Coach Dickson!!
I have had Donnelle work with both of my boys and I am pleased with the results. Donnelle's instruction on defense has been specifically valuable over the years. I find Donnelle to be a great communicator and motivator. He does not settle for allowing players to go through the motions and expects them to practice perfect in order to attain the small advantages over their competition. At the end of a lesson, Donnelle will ask the player what they learned or what they can take away from the lesson. He isn't just filling an hour. His goal is to make players better and that is what makes him a great trainer.
Donnelle's basketball training is built upon proper technique and form to keep athletes healthy and preventing injury. The focus to detail helps the athlete create strength and stamina to compete longer and harder eliminating wasted movements. I believe Donnelle enjoys going beyond the physical piece and examining the mind of the athlete. After spending some time to get to know the player, he will challenge the player to overcome mental hurdles which are effecting the physical part of the game. I appreciate the feedback coupled with exercises and drills for improvement.
I have seen such a wonderful improvement in both my sons. They have taken the principles that were taught in the performance boot camp and i have seen great improvements in all they do and also on the basketball court. The other gain i have seen in both of them is their mental game and confidence. Thanks coach for all you do.
Coach Dickson has worked with our son over the past few months. My son needed to work on basketball fundamentals to help take him to the next level. Coach Dickson has done an excellent job teaching our son to refine his abilities. Coach Dickson does not accept anything but the best from my child. He is an excellent communicator and he is a great teacher. I feel like my child has not only learned more about basketball fundamentals from Coach Dickson but has learned a lot about persistence, determination and work ethic. He has truly made a big impact on my son's life. I highly recommend him as a basketball coach.
Donnelle's training sessions were very helpfull for my daughter. He is a stickler for detail and has an easy way of communicating. I highly recommend him especially for ball handling and defense.
Donnelle has really helped to raise my son's basketball IQ, he has the players look at the game as frustrating the opponent, and making smart decisions with the basketball. Donnelle makes his training sessions very easy to understand, and is quality instruction that we have not experienced with any other trainer. My only wish is that we would have found him sooner. I highly recommend him for your basketball training needs.
Our daughter has enjoyed taking basketball lessons from Donnelle very much. He has corrected many mistakes that no other coach has bothered to do. His knowledge of basketball and ability to teach skills are top-notch. Highly recommended.
Donnelle has worked with my daughter, Emily, for the past two years. We have played ball and worked with other trainers for years; however, Donnelle is the ONE who can take your son/daughter to the next level. He is very intense because of his basketball knowledge, but is able to unleash that intensity into his players. They want to work, they want to learn, they want to perform and they want to be pushed. I cannot say enough good things about Donnelle and the positive impact he has brought to my daughter and her game!
Donnelle has worked with my daughter for 2 years now and I am very happy with the results. He is teaching techniques seen at the college level and beyond. He has taught her the perfect way to shoot the basketball, how to read the defender's posture, how to explore their weaknesses, how to run the point position effectively and how to play a "lock down" defense. We continue to work with Donnelle on not just the on floor drills but also on the mental aspect of the game, which he is a master at. My daughter works well with him and likes the way he teaches. I would highly recommend Donnelle to anyone looking to take their game to the highest level, male or female.
Donnelle has worked with our daughter for 2 years now. My husband and I are truly pleased with the results. He is able to share his knowledge of basketball and motivate his students like no other trainer we have worked with before. He has worked with her on everything from correcting her shot, foot work, post play and mental toughness. Donnelle also spends time teaching his students how to read their defenders giving them the ability to identify their weaknesses. Our daughter’s game has been taken to the next level with his training. It’s great to see the smile not only on her face when she succeeds but ours as we watch her play. Donnelle is truly an amazing trainer and coach, he is off the charts! Highly recommended!!!!!
Coached both my sons. Observed all sessions. Very happy with results. Impressed by all aspects of training: progression of drills, intensity of sessions, instruction in biomechanics. Would highly recommend.
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