There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for great coaching. The best coaches have one thing in common: they build strong, meaningful relationships. Success in youth sports isn’t just measured by wins and losses—it’s built on trust, communication, consistency and the ability to bring out the best in every athlete.
Whether you're coaching a first-year rec team or a high-level travel squad, the heart of great coaching lies in creating a team culture where kids feel seen, supported, and inspired. Great teams don’t just happen—they’re built intentionally, with patience, empathy, and a clear set of shared values.
Here are some of our favorite resources about what makes a coach great, what builds winning team cultures, and the often-overlooked soft skills that lead to real success.
How to be a successful coach
What it is: A powerful video featuring Dr. Alan Goldberg, discussing the foundational principles of great coaching.
Why we like it: Goldberg’s timeless wisdom and emphasis on leadership, relationships and personal growth offer valuable lessons for any coach at any level.
Coach K’s keys to leadership
What it is: A video focused on the essential elements that contribute to building a great team culture, including trust, communication and shared goals. All shared by legendary Duke men’’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski
Why we like it: It breaks down the intangible qualities that set successful teams apart, providing actionable strategies for coaches to implement.
Greg Olsen and Michael Gervais on the coaching hierarchy
What it is: A snippet of a conversation between Youth Inc founder Greg Olsen and Dr. Michael Gervais highlighting the importance of question asking in becoming a great leader or coach.
Why we like it: A lot of coaches don’t consider that asking questions is the key to getting to a level of understanding with your players that fosters success. This is a great reminder of what it takes to get to that level.
It starts with relationships
What it is: An article discussing how meaningful relationships between coaches and athletes contribute to success on and off the field.
Why we like it: The piece highlights the power of connection and trust in sports, emphasizing the positive impact on both performance and personal development.
The secret ingredients of great coaching
What it is: An insightful article focusing on trust as the core element that makes coaching effective and long-lasting.
Why we like it: This piece emphasizes the importance of trust and how it can create a positive, open environment where athletes thrive, making it a must-read for any coach.
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