As a student dribbles the ball around the court, sophomores Aarav Anand, Rishi Dommeti and Daniel Yu stand at the sidelines, focused and ready to provide constructive feedback. Every weekend, Anand, Dommeti and Yu coach students at the Calabazas park for their student-run business, Zone 6 Basketball. Each Zone 6 coach brings their own style to the court, but they share a common goal of helping students nurture their skills and passion for basketball. Together, they’re more than just coaches, they’re mentors.
The idea to start coaching began from a shared passion for basketball and the desire to give back to their community. Once they decided to run this business, they named it “Zone 6 Basketball,” which came from an inside joke between the three — in their terms, Zone 6 symbolizes no boundaries for potential.
“We wanted to find a way to share what we’ve learned with younger kids and give them the same opportunities that we had growing up,” Dommeti says. “Basketball has done so much for me in terms of discipline and character, and I want to pass that on.”
Sessions are offered to students between the ages of 7 and 13 years old. Lessons range from small group lessons to one-on-one coaching, offering tailored support for a variety of skill levels and creating an environment where players feel comfortable making mistakes in order to learn. By blending patience, creativity and experience, the trio fosters both skill and confidence.
“The players’ smile is always priceless when they realize they can do it,” Anand said. “Seeing that moment of realization in their eyes — that’s what makes all the hard work worth it.”
Some practices begin with a fun, fast-paced drill to get the students moving, while others focus on specific skills, like shooting form. From there, the trio ensures that each student gets the individualized attention they need, even in group settings.
“I try to approach every player individually,” Yu said. “Everyone has different strengths, and they all need different things. It’s all about adapting the training to what the player needs and helping them improve in those areas. You can’t treat every player the same way. I make sure to meet them where they are and build from there.”
The coaches quickly learned that player development requires more than just basketball experience. From managing short attention spans to navigating different learning styles, they have each developed communication skills and different coaching strategies.
“If a student is struggling, I try to remind myself that it’s not about me,” Yu said. “It’s about them learning at their own pace. I don’t get frustrated because I know that with time and consistent practice, they’ll improve. It’s important to be patient and provide them with the support they need to keep moving forward.”
Looking forward, as the coaches juggle their own practices and schoolwork with coaching, they want to branch out to underprivileged areas to share their experience and assistance. Whether it’s perfecting a 3-pointer shot or sparking a small breakthrough in on-the-court confidence, the moments that Anand, Dommeti and Yu create through their time and dedication remain long after the last shot of the day swishes through the net.
“I hope the students realize that if they want something, they can work toward it,” Dommeti said. “Whether it’s improving at basketball or in life, they just need to keep pushing and stay focused. They can achieve whatever they set their mind to as long as they have a good mindset.”
