BACKGROUND: Verbal coach encouragement is a key motivational strategy that enhances skill development, game strategy execution, and team cohesion. In youth basketball, where players are still developing technical and decision-making abilities, coach encouragement can play a crucial role in sustaining effort, improving focus, and fostering resilience under small-sided games (SSGs). This study investigated how coach encouragement (CE) influences young basketball players' technical performance and psychophysiological responses during competitive gameplay. METHODS: Sixteen male basketball players (age = 15.19 ± 1.05 years) voluntarily participated in the study. Heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, mood states and technical activities were recorded with coach encouragement and without coach encouragement during SSGs. RESULTS: The results showed that SSGs with coach encouragement were associated with significantly higher heart rate ( CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the importance of CE in improving the psychophysiological and technical abilities of young basketball players during SSGs. CE improves coach-athlete relationships and increases game performance.