In their development of self-determination theory (SDT), Ryan and Deci (2002) argue that there are a set of universal needs – the needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness – that have important implications for psychological functioning, motivation, and well-being. Considerable research across multiple contexts, including sport, demonstrates support for the predictions of SDT (see Deci & Ryan, 2002; Hagger & Chatzisarantis, 2007). While the satisfaction of each need is essential for optimal functioning according to SDT, Sheldon and Niemiec (2006) found that individuals who reported greater balance across the three needs indicated more positive well-being relative to those reporting greater variability in need satisfaction. Given the potential theoretical and practical implications of their results, determining if the balance of need satisfaction contributes to our understanding of a more diverse set of domain-specific outcomes warrants attention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test whether the balance of need satisfaction predicts motivational outcomes above and beyond the individual contribution of the three needs. High school athletes (N=197, 61.4% female) completed valid and reliable questionnaires assessing their perceived sport competence, autonomy, and relatedness, as well as their intrinsic motivation (IM) and burnout (BO). Using procedures outlined by Sheldon and Niemiec (2006), we calculated the balance of need satisfaction by computing a difference score between each pair of needs and then summing the absolute values of these scores. Thus, a lower score reflects greater balance of need satisfaction. Bivariate correlations among the needs and motivational outcomes were all in the expected direction. Importantly, the balance of need satisfaction scores negatively related to IM (r=-.15, p<.05) and positively related to BO (r=-.16, p<.05). Two separate hierarchical regression analyses, with the set of the three needs entered on Step 1 and the balance score entered on Step 2, provided the main test of our research question. Consistent with SDT, perceived competence, autonomy, and relatedness together significantly predicted athletes' IM (p < .01, R2 = .233) and BO (p < .01, R2 = .234). Contrary to expectations, however, the balance scores did not significantly add to the prediction of either IM or BO above and beyond the independent contributions of the three needs (ΔR2=.002, .003, respectively). We discuss these results in relation to SDT, and speculate that the importance of balanced need satisfaction may vary according to the specificity and nature of the outcome variable in question.Keyword(s): research, youth sports