Basketball with Cynthia Manuel
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💰$44 weekly lessons
My name is Coach Cynthia, and I bring a passion for youth development and elite basketball training to every court I step on. I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Jr. Knicks Coaching Convention in New York, where I deepened my coaching strategies and connected with some of the best minds in youth basketball. That experience, combined with my relentless drive to build champions, fueled my work with a newly developed AAU team — which I proudly led to a championship title. I specialize in training young athletes, focusing not only on skill development but also on confidence, discipline, and teamwork. Watching players grow both on and off the court is why I coach — and why I continue to bring energy, expertise, and heart to every session. With a lifelong passion for the game, I bring years of basketball experience both on the court and from the sidelines. I played point guard in high school and earned a college basketball scholarship, where I developed a strong foundation in leadership, court vision, and strategic play. My role as a point guard sharpened my attention to detail and taught me how to lead and elevate those around me. After college, I transitioned into coaching and led a co-ed AAU team to a first-place championship finish. I specialize in developing players' basketball IQ, fundamentals, and teamwork. My coaching style is patient, positive, and tailored to each player's strengths and growth areas. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your game, I'm committed to helping you reach your full potential on and off the court.
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Teaches: Kids, Teenagers
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Levels: Beginners, Intermediates
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Lives in: Chicago, Illinois
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Happy Student Score: Not available
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Years Playing: Not specified
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Given: 5 lessons
Accomplishments
➕AAU Co-Ed Champions Hammond Indiana
Reviews
Total reviews5
Average rating
5.0
Davionne
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 11
Coach is awesome! She makes training fun but also helps me get better every time. I used to struggle with my left hand, but now I can dribble both ways and feel way more confident. She’s really patient and explains things in a way that makes sense. I like how she pushes me but also cheers me on. I actually look forward to practice now!"
Ky’l
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 6
My coach was awesome and very skilled
Quentin Holmes
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 5
Coach makes me feel like I can actually play at the next level. Every session I learn something new, and she doesn’t let me slack.. Quentin Holmes
Amber
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 4
Coach Cynthia helps me take my game seriously. She works with me on my shot, my footwork, and how to make better decisions on the court. I like that she treats me like a real athlete, not just a kid. I’ve improved a lot since I started training with her ."
— Amber, 12
Butterfly
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 2
I so happy my mom picked a female coach I feel so motivated to leave the game
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:1 location available
XSport Fitness
819 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
274.9 miles awayOutdoors
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.📍 XSport Fitnesssaturdays
8 AM - 8 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonBuild Rapport & Assess Goals
Start with a quick conversation. Asking the player about their basketball experience, what position they play (or want to play), what their goals are (e.g., make a team, improve shooting, gain confidence), and how they feel about their game right now. This builds trust and helps you tailor the session.
2. Warm-Up & Basic Skills Assessment
Run a structured warm-up with light cardio, dynamic stretches, and ball-handling drills. This helps loosen up the body and gives you a chance to observe coordination, effort, and fundamentals.
3. Skill Evaluation Drills
Layup lines (both hands)
Free throws (to check form under pressure)
Dribbling drills (cones, both hands)
Passing (chest, bounce, and outlet passes)
Shooting form and footwork
These drills let you see mechanics, confidence, and consistency without overwhelming the player.
4. Immediate, Encouraging Feedback
Give quick wins — highlight what they're doing right before offering a small adjustment. Keep it positive and focused on improvement, not perfection.
5. End with a Review & Plan
Wrap up by reviewing what you saw, what you’ll focus on next time, and how they felt. Give them something to work on between sessions — even if it's just ball-handling for 10 minutes a day.
Lesson 11+Eleventh Lesson:
At this point, the player is showing growth — cleaner mechanics, smarter reads, and more confidence. I give them a performance day: combine-style drills to see their progress, including shooting percentages, dribbling under pressure, and finishing consistency. We celebrate wins, but I also highlight the next level — what it takes to separate from the average.
Lesson 4-10By the fourth session, I’m really starting to see how the player responds to structure. I begin focusing more on consistency — tightening up ball-handling, shooting form, and footwork. I mix in drills that challenge their stamina and decision-making under fatigue. At this stage, I’m emphasizing discipline: how well they do the little things, even when tired. We’re building habits now.
Fifth Lesson:
This session is about pace and control. I introduce more advanced dribbling sequences and teach how to change speeds — a crucial skill for game situations. I also work on live-read drills: reacting to imaginary defenders or cones, making quick decisions. I want them thinking like a point guard — not just reacting, but anticipating.
Sixth Lesson:
We shift into more live-action reps: attacking off the dribble, reading screens (even in solo drills), and finishing through contact. I also introduce defensive footwork — because a complete player has to know both ends of the floor. I coach with energy here, demanding focus and reminding them that small improvements win games.
Seventh Lesson:
This is a confidence checkpoint. I run through a skills circuit to test their conditioning and retention. We revisit earlier drills but add a time or scoring element. I want to see how they perform under slight pressure. At the end, I give them honest feedback — what’s improving and what we’re locking in over the next few sessions.
Eighth Lesson:
We’re now in rhythm, so I crank up the intensity. This session focuses on shot creation — getting open, using fakes, side steps, and footwork to create separation. I also talk about mentality: staying locked in even when the shot’s not falling. This is where I start shaping their basketball mindset, not just their skills.
Ninth Lesson:
Now we go deeper into game IQ. I run situational drills: clock management, transition decisions, spacing, and off-ball movement. Even if they’re not scrimmaging, I teach them how to think the game. I want them to start recognizing patterns — where to be and why.
Tenth Lesson:
This is a tough one — a mix of intensity and refinement. We do longer drill sets, building mental toughness. I also introduce recovery techniques: how to reset after mistakes, stay composed, and find rhythm again. Every rep matters now. I push, but I support — because I want them confident, not afraid.
Eleventh Lesson:
At this point, the player is showing growth — cleaner mechanics, smarter reads, and more confidence. I give them a performance day: combine-style drills to see their progress, including shooting percentages, dribbling under pressure, and finishing consistency. We celebrate wins, but I also highlight the next level — what it takes to separate from the average.
Lesson 2-3In our second session, I start by checking in with the player—how they felt after the first session, and if they practiced any of the drills I gave them. Then we go into a warm-up and revisit the basics from the last workout to see what stuck.
From there, I begin layering in more focused drills based on what I saw in the first session. If ball-handling needed work, we’ll do controlled dribbling drills using cones and both hands, focusing on control, footwork, and pace. If shooting form needs improvement, we’ll slow things down, break the motion into parts, and work on consistency and balance.
I continue giving real-time feedback, but I also ask the player what feels natural or difficult. I want them involved in the process, not just following commands. We wrap the session with some light conditioning and a confidence-building challenge, like a timed layup drill or shooting contest. My goal is to leave them feeling accomplished but hungry for more.
Third Lesson:
By the third session, I’m raising the intensity a bit. I start by reviewing progress and reinforcing one or two key fundamentals we've been building on. Then we shift into more game-like drills — movement without the ball, decision-making, and situational play.
I like to introduce short, competitive segments to test their skills under light pressure — like one-dribble pull-ups, fast-break finishing, or timed shooting circuits. This session is where I start to really push their basketball IQ and court awareness.
Throughout, I stay encouraging but honest — pointing out growth and also holding them to higher standards. At this point, I want to see how coachable they are when tired, and how confident they’re becoming with repetition.
We always end with a recap, next steps, and something positive — because confidence is everything in this game.
What you need to bringWater Bottle , Gym Shoes,Shorts and open mind , patience and a positive attitude
What I can bringBasketballs – I always bring a few, so we don’t waste time chasing down rebounds.
Cones – These help with ball-handling drills, agility work, and footwork patterns.
Resistance bands – Great for warming up and building strength in key muscle groups without needing a gym.
Agility ladder – I use this to improve foot speed, balance, and coordination — especially useful for guards.
Portable shooting targets or markers – Helps players focus on shot arc and form consistency.
Whistle and timer – Keeps drills sharp and on pace, and helps me coach more efficiently.
Notebook or training plan – I like to keep track of progress and make sure every session has a purpose.
Water and hand towels – Staying hydrated and focused is part of building discipline.
Most importantly, I bring energy, patience, and a game plan — because every session should feel like it matters.
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's
why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
CM
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