Youth Inc. Recommends: 3 Great Resources to Help You Elevate Talent and Team

Yes, great coaches strive to treat all players with fairness—but the reality is, not all players have the same level of talent. And when you're coaching a true standout, how you manage that dynamic can make or break your team culture. 

We’ve all seen both ends of the spectrum:

The star who lifts everyone around them through leadership, humility, and effort. 

And the star who disrupts team chemistry by putting themselves above the group.

So how do you guide a high-talent player toward the former? How do you help them shine without letting them overshadow? 

These 3 standout resources offer practical tools, mindset shifts, and real-world stories to help you coach your top players in a way that elevates the entire team. 

Coaching the Best Player 

What it is: an article from the team at #52Week Coaching written by Coach Scott Bauman, Head Boys' basketball Coach at Marlborough High School.   

Why we love it: This article offers a thoughtful, real-world guide to coaching elite athletes—those rare players whose talent and drive set them apart. Packed with practical insights and lived experience, it challenges coaches to go beyond X’s and O’s by focusing on relationship-building, tailored feedback, and empowering leadership. If you coach a standout player—or hope to—it’s a must-read for helping them grow without letting them coast. 

How to Avoid the Superstar Syndrome  

What it is: an article written by John Anderson for Breakthrough Basketball- a resource dedicated to making a positive impact on player’s lives either directly or by educating coaches and parents around the world.  

Why we love it: This article is a must-read for any youth coach or sports parent who wants to raise grounded, team-first athletes. It breaks down the root causes of “Superstar Syndrome”—when talented young players begin to feel entitled—and offers practical, real-world strategies for keeping gifted athletes humble, coachable, and accountable. A powerful reminder that character development matters just as much as skill development. 

Three Methods to Help Athletes Who Are Dominated by their Ego  

What it is: An article written by Christopher Mance II and I’m a mental skills coach and certified sport psychology coach (CSPC) in Atlanta, GA. 

Why we love it: This article offers three clear, actionable strategies for helping ego-driven athletes refocus on growth, effort, and identity beyond sports. Perfect for coaches and parents who want to nurture mentally resilient, process-oriented competitors—and remind young athletes that who they are matters more than how they perform.