Youth Inc. Recommends: Five Resources for Handling Issues with Athletes

Not every player shows up locked in and ready to go. Whether you’re managing attitude problems, effort issues, or interpersonal conflicts, part of coaching is learning how to guide athletes through rough patches. These five resources offer thoughtful, experience-backed strategies to help coaches address problems constructively — without losing the trust of the team.

5 Tips for Dealing With Difficult Players

What it is: A concise article from Hudl offering direct strategies for addressing behavioral issues and improving coach-player communication. 

Why we like it: It’s practical, not preachy. From setting expectations to reinforcing positive behavior, this piece is full of clear advice that applies to real situations youth coaches face all the time. 

6 Tips for Coaching a Difficult Player

What it is: A straightforward list of common-sense tactics for coaching players who may be resistant, inconsistent, or disruptive. 

Why we like it: It emphasizes empathy and patience while still holding players accountable. The focus on communication and positive reinforcement is especially helpful for coaches who are new to discipline conversations.

Nina Rios-Doria – Managing Conflict Within a Sports Team

What it is: A short talk from a licensed professional counselor and PhD in sport psychology on how to handle team conflict using her “PS” (Perspective + Solution) model. 

Why we like it: Rios-Doria normalizes conflict and shows how it can actually strengthen a team when approached the right way. Her system gives coaches a simple framework to defuse tension and move forward productively.

Uncoachable Kids? Try Effective Influence

What it is: A blog post challenging the idea that some kids are simply “uncoachable,” and offering tools to improve your influence as a coach. 

Why we like it: It flips the script: maybe the kid isn’t the problem — maybe your approach needs adjusting. This is a refreshing, no-excuses take on coach-athlete dynamics, and it encourages deeper self-awareness in leadership.

Players Fitness & Performance

What it is: A coaching blog that reframes “laziness” as a surface-level label masking deeper issues like fear, confusion, or lack of confidence. 

Why we like it: Rather than writing off unmotivated athletes, this piece pushes coaches to look deeper, ask the right questions, and meet players where they are. Empathy meets accountability — a great mindset shift for any level of coaching.