Lauren M.

Coach Mandell has extensive experience as a basketball educator/instructor across various levels of the sport - at the collegiate level (Wheelock College), AAU basketball (Central Flight, Girl's Varsity), at the DARE Basketball Summer Camp and for the Brookline Recreation Department. She is certified as a USA Basketball Gold Licensed Coach.

Lauren played AAU basketball and four years of Varsity Basketball at Brookline High School where she was a standout athlete. At BHS, Lauren was named MVP her sophomore year, earned All-Conference honors and as captain led the Warriors to the second-best record in the program’s history. In addition, she played three years of Varsity Soccer, was named MVP her junior year and earned All-Conference honors.

Many colleges recruited her to play basketball. She joined the Bates College basketball team as a freshman, but unfortunately suffered a career-ending knee injury. She never lost her love for the game of basketball and enjoys directing this lifelong passion into coaching. Coach Mandell stays active now through rock climbing at her gym and practicing yoga.

During a typical session with Coach Mandell, you can expect a tailored experience focused on your specific needs and goals. I firmly believe in flexibility and adaptability, ensuring that each session is personalized to address the areas you want to improve upon, whether it's passing, dribbling, shooting, defense, or any other aspect of the game.

Here's a glimpse into how I structure a session:

Assessment and Goal Setting: Before diving into drills, I'll sit down with you and/or your parent to understand your objectives and assess your current skill level. This helps me tailor the session to your unique needs and set achievable goals.

Warm-up: We'll start with a dynamic warm-up routine to prepare your body for the session ahead. This might include agility drills, stretching, and basic ball-handling exercises to get your muscles primed and your mind focused.

Skill Development: Based on our discussion and assessment, we'll move into drills that target the specific areas you want to improve. Whether it's refining your shooting technique, enhancing your passing accuracy, honing your defensive skills, or working on your dribbling under pressure, I'll design drills that challenge you while gradually building upon your existing abilities.

Repetition and Feedback: Practice makes perfect, but intentional practice makes progress. Throughout the session, I'll emphasize the importance of proper technique and encourage repetition to reinforce muscle memory. I'll also provide constructive feedback and guidance to help you understand what you're doing well and where you can make adjustments.

Game Simulation: To bridge the gap between practice and game-time situations, we'll incorporate game-like scenarios into our drills. This could involve simulated defensive matchups, fast-break opportunities, or shooting under pressure. By replicating real-game scenarios, you'll develop the confidence and composure to excel when it matters most.

Cool Down and Reflection: As we wrap up the session, we'll take time to cool down with some light stretching and reflection. I'll encourage you to reflect on your performance, identify areas of improvement, and set goals for future sessions. This reflective practice not only reinforces learning but also fosters a growth mindset essential for long-term development.

Overall, my coaching philosophy revolves around empowering you to reach your full potential as a student athlete on and off the court. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the fundamentals or a seasoned athlete striving for excellence, I'm committed to providing personalized guidance, fostering a supportive environment, and helping you achieve your goals.