In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Corey Standerfer — longtime professional basketball player overseas and now a basketball trainer and performance coach — to talk about player development, coaching the right way, and why cutting through the noise matters more than ever.

After years of playing at a high level internationally and now years of training the next generation, Corey has learned something that many people in basketball overlook:

More content doesn't mean more development.

Highlight reels, viral workouts, and flashy drills may get attention, but real improvement comes from something far less glamorous — mastering fundamentals, training with intention, and tuning out everything that doesn't actually move the needle.

Corey explains that the best player development isn't built on chasing trends. It's built on clarity, repetition, and coaching that puts the athlete's growth ahead of likes, followers, or noise. Talent and effort matter, but knowing exactly what to focus on is what separates real progress from spinning your wheels.

For young basketball players especially, improvement goes far beyond mixtape highlights and trick moves. Footwork, decision-making, body control, and consistency in the basics ultimately determine how far athletes can go — even when social media tells them otherwise.

From there, the conversation shifts into one of Corey's strongest beliefs as a coach:

Coaching should be kid-first, not engagement-first.

In today's training landscape, it's easy for coaches and influencers to lead with controversy, hot takes, or whatever gets the most engagement. But Corey believes that approach does young athletes a disservice.

When coaching is built around what a kid actually needs — not what performs well online — players develop real skill, real confidence, and a clearer sense of identity as athletes. Those lessons carry far beyond basketball — into how they handle pressure, criticism, and growth in every part of life.

He emphasizes that the goal isn't to be the loudest voice in a kid's training journey. It's to be the clearest one.

Throughout the episode, Corey highlights the core principles that help young players develop the right way:

- Cutting through training clutter and social media noise

- Mastering fundamentals before chasing flash

- Coaching with the athlete's best interest first

- Building clarity around what actually drives improvement

- Avoiding controversy-driven or trend-chasing coaching

- Prioritizing long-term skill development over short-term attention

One of the biggest takeaways is that great coaching isn't about being everywhere online — it's about helping athletes know exactly what to work on and why.

Corey's approach reflects both his experience as a pro player overseas and his perspective now training the next wave of basketball talent the right way.

This episode is a must-listen for basketball players, parents navigating youth and travel basketball, and coaches who believe in development over distraction.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation's leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect athletes and families with elite coaches who help players build strong fundamentals, confidence, leadership, and lifelong habits through sports.

👉 Follow https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/ for more conversations with elite coaches and athletes, and explore private basketball coaching to elevate your game and development.

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Dave Yoo — Founder at Onsides.ai and longtime youth soccer parent — to talk about presence, emotional intelligence, and what it really means to support a young athlete through their sports journey.

After years of being on the sidelines and building a company focused on youth sports, Dave has learned something that many well-meaning parents overlook:

Connection matters more than coaching.

Trophies, standings, and highlight reels may get attention, but a child's long-term relationship with sports is built on something deeper feeling supported, trusted, and emotionally safe with the people watching them play.

Dave explains that the most impactful sports parents aren't the ones with the most knowledge of the game. They're the ones who show up fully present, let their kids lead the way, and create space for joy instead of pressure. Skill development matters, but the emotional environment around a young athlete often determines whether they stay in love with the sport at all.

For young soccer players especially, growth goes far beyond touches on the ball and tactical understanding. Confidence, autonomy, and a sense of ownership over their own journey ultimately shape whether kids keep showing up — for soccer and for themselves.

From there, the conversation shifts into one of Dave's strongest beliefs as a parent:

Choice builds investment.

In today's youth sports culture, it's easy for parents to over-direct — picking the position, mapping the path, narrating every mistake from the sideline. But Dave believes those moments of letting go matter just as much as the moments of showing up.

When kids are given room to choose their own way — which sport, how hard to push, when to take a breath — they begin building intrinsic motivation and self-trust. Those lessons carry far beyond the field — into how they handle setbacks, relationships, and decisions for the rest of their lives.

He emphasizes that presence isn't about having answers. Sometimes it's simply about being there, without an agenda, so a kid knows they're loved regardless of the score.

Throughout the episode, Dave highlights the core principles that help young athletes thrive long-term:

- Being present without judgment, before and after the whistle blows

- Letting kids choose their sport, pace, and path

- Leading with curiosity instead of correction

- Recognizing effort and character over outcomes

- Creating a home environment where mistakes are safe

- Prioritizing the relationship over the results

One of the biggest takeaways is that great sports parenting isn't about producing the next star — it's about helping kids feel seen, supported, and free to enjoy the game on their own terms.

Dave's perspective reflects both his work at https://www.onsides.ai/ and his lived experience as a parent navigating the emotional side of youth sports.

This episode is a must-listen for soccer parents, coaches, and anyone trying to find the balance between supporting an athlete and letting them grow into themselves.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation's leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect athletes and families with elite coaches who help players build strong fundamentals, confidence, leadership, and lifelong habits through sports.

👉 Follow https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/ for more conversations with elite coaches and athletes, and explore private soccer coaching to elevate your game and development.

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Kathy Taylor — longtime and highly decorated women’s college lacrosse coach — to talk about leadership, athlete development, and why long-term success is built on accountability long before it shows up in the win column.

After decades of coaching at a high level, Kathy has learned something that many people in sports overlook:

Winning is the byproduct of development.

Championships, rankings, and records may get attention, but sustainable success comes from building something deeper — a culture filled with hardworking, respectful, connected athletes who trust one another and take pride in doing things the right way.

Kathy explains that the best teams aren’t always the most individually talented. They’re the teams built on communication, consistency, discipline, and shared accountability. Talent might win moments, but culture wins seasons.

For young lacrosse players especially, development goes far beyond stick skills and athletic ability. Passing, catching, defensive footwork, ground balls, and shooting mechanics all matter — but character, coachability, and work ethic ultimately determine how far athletes can go.

From there, the conversation shifts into one of Kathy’s strongest beliefs as a coach:

Growth requires responsibility.

In today’s world, it’s easy for parents or coaches to step in and solve every problem for young athletes. Forgotten equipment gets delivered. Missed assignments get excused. Mistakes get cleaned up before athletes feel the consequences.

But Kathy believes those small moments matter.

When athletes are allowed to forget something, fail, regroup, and learn from it themselves, they begin building independence and resilience. Those lessons carry far beyond sports — into school, relationships, careers, and life.

She emphasizes that adversity isn’t something coaches should always remove. Sometimes it’s something athletes need to experience in order to grow.

Throughout the episode, Kathy highlights the core principles that help teams and athletes succeed long-term:

• Building strong team culture through accountability and respect

• Developing communication and leadership skills

• Teaching athletes to embrace responsibility and ownership

• Mastering lacrosse fundamentals like passing, catching, and ground balls

• Creating environments where athletes can learn through mistakes

• Prioritizing long-term development over short-term outcomes

One of the biggest takeaways is that great coaching isn’t just about producing wins — it’s about helping athletes become capable, resilient people.

Kathy’s approach to coaching reflects decades of experience developing not only strong lacrosse players, but strong young women prepared for life beyond the game.

This episode is a must-listen for lacrosse players, parents navigating youth and college sports, and coaches who believe culture and development are the foundation of lasting success.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by Athletes Untapped — the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect athletes and families with elite coaches who help players build strong fundamentals, confidence, leadership, and lifelong habits through sports.

👉 Follow Athletes Untapped for more conversations with elite coaches and athletes, and explore private lacrosse coaching to elevate your game and development.