You Gotta Dance Like Nobody's Watching

"Dance like no one's watching," thought Shirley Dander...because the point of dancing is everyone's watching, or they are if you're doing it right." - from Slough House by Mick Herron

Dancing is inherently performative and relational - it's display, it's communication, it's dominance and invitation simultaneously. 

Volleyball is also "performative" and best executed when played as though nobody's watching. Athletes can't be self-conscious, concerned about how they look instead of focused on the play in the moment. 

Focus 

Whether you play in front of nobody in practice or a thousand people at a playoff game, focus completely. The next ball deserves your full attention.

Communication

Talk engages, energizes, and intimidates. Be ELO - early, loud, and often. 

"Reading"

Top players aren’t always faster. They’re earlier. They see it sooner. Reading the serve, the setter, and the hitter are part of the continuum of CARE - concentration-> anticipation-> reaction-> and execution. Top players are "one step quicker." 

Situational Understanding

Sometimes you attack for a winner and others are "get me over" returns. Trust is built when players match decision to moment. Play the right play.

Mindset 

Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz had a saying, "You hang it, we bang it." Volleyball rewards consistency and aggressiveness. 

The Paradox

Volleyball is a performance. But the best performances happen when players: forget the crowd, forget the noise, and forget themselves and lock into the game.

Final Thoughts

Dance like nobody’s watching. Not because nobody is. But because the moment you stop thinking about the audience…you start playing at your best.

Lagniappe. Place your focus on the person you want to become. 

The person you will be in 5 years: pic.twitter.com/Sfac2zq4ye

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) February 19, 2026

 

The Way of Excellence (Handout)

Here's a downloadable handout from Brad Stulberg's "The Way of Excellence."  

Don't Reinvent the Wheel

Warren Buffett's business partner, Charlie Munger, told an audience that their edges included investing time in good ideas and avoiding stupidity (1).

"Share something great" (2) 

Share a story, recipe, poem, whatever. Sahil Bloom discusses the importance of "The Empty Cup" - a.k.a. Beginner's Mind (3).

Be curious. Be open. (4) 

If responsible to conduct practice and allowed only three activities, what would they be and why?

Add something to your game (5) 

What would it be and how would you do it? Add more topspin. Improve your tip game or setter dumps. 

Exploit analogy (6) 

How does something unrelated connect to another concept?

Think Again

Adam Grant's book "Think Again," comes to mind. Keep a "Rethinking Scorecard" (7) where you track how ideas or events changed your mind. 

Lead by example. Grant suggests keeping a "Leadership Scorecard" (8) to track how you responded to leadership opportunities.

Keep Score 

Why the numbers? Washington Post investigative journalist Bob Woodward shared a principle of his writing. Every column should inform the reader of at least six concepts (9) or issues. Even better, pull "actionable ideas" from the column (10).

Lagniappe. Bill Belichick was asked about being called "a genius." He explained that during his coaching career he'd been called "an idiot" plenty. 

“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you, It's a weakness to get caught up in either one.” - John Wooden pic.twitter.com/5QPiQPQwv0

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) February 18, 2026

Choices

Choose to have a positive mindset and keep "team first." 

Choose to "stay ready."

Choose to check in with teammates. They need your support. 

Choose to work hard every day for when your chance comes. 

Choose to optimize your condition with hydration, nutrition, sleep, and recovery. Dehydration shows up first as fatigue. 

Choose to bring the best version of yourself every day. 

Lagniappe. Sleep drives performance. 

Pay Yourself Explosiveness

The third leg of the four-legged improvement stool is athleticism. Whatever one's genetic makeup, training can boost athleticism - strength, quickness, conditioning. MVB has some wonderful athletes who will benefit from higher performance and injury resistance. 

Plan your training. First, a warmup recommended via ChatGPT Plus:

There is a recommended way to warm up for volleyball plyometrics, and it matters a lot. Going straight into jumping drills without prep is one of the fastest ways to irritate knees (patellar tendon) and ankles.

A good warmup should do three things:

1. raise temperature

2. activate key muscles (glutes, calves, core)

3. rehearse landing mechanics before explosive work

Here’s a practical, volleyball-specific sequence you can actually use with an emphasis on control: 

1. General Warmup (3–5 min)

Get your body temperature up:

• Light jog or shuffle

• Backpedal → forward run

• Carioca (grapevine)

2. Mobility + Dynamic Stretch (5–7 min)

Focus on joints used in jumping:

• Leg swings (front/back & side/side)

• Walking lunges + twist

• Ankle rocks (knee over toe)

• Hip openers

3. Activation (5–8 min)

This is where most people cut corners—but it’s critical.

• Glute bridges (10–15)

• Mini-band lateral walks

• Calf raises (slow, controlled)

• Plank or dead bug (core)

4. Landing Mechanics (VERY important)

Before plyos, teach your body how to absorb force.

• Snap-downs (rise on toes → drop into athletic stance)

• Stick landings (jump → hold landing 2–3 sec)

• Focus on:

  • Soft, quiet landings

  • Knees tracking over toes (not collapsing inward)

  • Hips back

5. Low-Intensity Plyo Prep (Progression)

Gradually ramp up:

• Pogos (quick ankle hops)

• Line hops (forward/back, side/side)

• Small squat jumps (50–70% effort)

6. THEN your main plyos (see below)

Now you’re ready for:

• Approach jumps

• Box jumps

• Depth jumps (only if experienced)

Volleyball-Specific Add-On

Because volleyball is approach-based:

• 2–3 controlled approach jumps at ~70%

• Focus on arm swing timing and penultimate step

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• Skipping landing prep → leads to knee pain

• Going max effort too early

• Ignoring ankles/calves (huge for vertical + injury prevention)

Bottom line

A proper warmup isn’t just about “loosening up”—it directly improves jump performance and reduces injury risk. Think of it as part of the workout, not a prelude.

Pogo work

Do this with your kids. https://t.co/jOOO1Kb8hu

— Tyrone V. Ross Jr. (@TR401) March 19, 2026

Dynamic plyometrics (easy to understand why to warm up)

Plyometric session with our 18U Club Volleyball players. pic.twitter.com/EJmAbmwCjV

— Missy Mitchell-McBeth (@missyMmcbeth) March 19, 2026

More on Belief

Flanking the top of the Wooden "Pyramid of Success" are faith and patience. What words substitute? BELIEF and TIME. 

Nir Eyal excavates the power of belief in his book, "Beyond Belief." Belief impacts everything we do. 

You trust in your family because you've learned to believe in them. Belief impacts your academic performance. If your identity is academic excellence, it reinforces attention, study habits, and 'work product'. By now, you should realize that your earned expertise and experience in volleyball get you on the team and on the court. 

Belief drives effort

If you don't think that reps, game play, video study, and strength and conditioning make a difference, why would you make the sacrifice? 

Belief shapes attention

If you've watched some video of elite Melrose players, then you've seen how Hannah Brickley, Brooke Bell, Sarah McGowan and others went about their business. Attention is the first price paid for excellence. To be an excellent server, you have to believe, "I'm good at serving and I'm getting better every day." 

Belief forms competitive character

Coach Scott Celli and I have talked from time to time about "dirt dogs." Dirt dogs go beyond, get bruises and floor burns, and come back for more. Leah Fowke was an excellent example of a dirt dog. There are a bunch on MVB 26. 

Belief impacts performance under pressure

Your belief in yourself fashions your identity and identity relates to the "clutch gene." Your performance under pressure during the biggest matches reflects and reinforces your beliefs. Be worthy of the self-talk, "I rise to meet the moment. That is who I am." 

Belief travels with consistency

"You can only be as good as you believe you are." Confidence balances arrogance at one extreme and doubt on the other. The player with self-belief tells herself, "Hit it to me. I will make the play."

ChatGPT suggested:

Many volleyball problems are belief problems:

• Players who don’t believe they can jump higher don’t attack training.

• Players who don’t believe they can read hitters don’t watch the shoulder and arm.

• Teams who don’t believe they can beat strong opponents play cautiously.

Former Celtics Coach Rick Pitino wrote a book, "Success Is a Choice." To earn success, earn belief. 

Lagniappe. Belief is growth. 

LA Rams HC Sean McVay - Be An Elevator

"We want to try and be elevators, we want to try and help people be able to reach their highest potential."

"What that means is that you elevate every person/situation that you're a part of. That's what great leaders do."

"I know when I… pic.twitter.com/eFvSXBHGid

— James Light (@JamesALight) January 25, 2026

Shaping Your Career Often Begins in the Weight Room or the Field

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Conscious, Gentle, & Calm Parenting Tips + Advice (@parentcub)

"Good artists borrow; great artists steal." - Picasso 

This piece "borrows" heavily from the "parentcub" thread.

Work ethic, training, and collaboration translate to your career. This post steals the best ideas from this instagram thread. Print and save? That's your call. Read the thread and internalize ideas that resonate. 

"She didn't get to the boardroom because she had the best grades." She learned how to fail, to get up, and fail better. 

Ernst & Young surveyed over 400 female executives. 94% of them played competitive sports. 

Sports make you harder to break. 

The pressure of competitive athletics produces resilient leaders.

Team sport teaches you that your performance impacts others. 

Team sports lowers circulating stress homes. Lessons learned on the court translate to the executive suite...calm under pressure.

Athletes describe better self-esteem and lower anxiety. Coping with stress is part of the training. 

Failure instructs athletes about intelligent risk-taking and the need for resilience. 

The workplace will challenge you. Athletes bring that resilience recall to the job. 

Sports help train women who know how to work hard and to succeed. 

Lagniappe. Learning is 'nonlinear'. Everyone experiences fits and starts. 

You don't need to get comfortable before you can practice your skills.

Your comfort grows as you practice your skills. pic.twitter.com/aCWrsc1QM8

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) March 18, 2026

You Didn’t See this Here

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reese Bates (@reesebatesvolleyball)

Practice, practice, practice. 

Words Are Actions - Inspired by J.L. Austin*

*Significant input from ChatGPT Plus

Concepts from J. L. Austin in How to Do Things with Words fit coaching because they affirm that language is action. 

Words are descriptions, commands, promises, and more. 

Examples:

"You bring a unique level of toughness to the court."

"Put your gear on and show them who you are." 

"We and young and we are hungry." 

British philosopher J. L. Austin argued that language does more than describe the world. Words do things. When someone says “I apologize,” “I promise,” or “I resign,” the act occurs through speech itself.

Language shapes confidence, effort, trust, and accountability. Words create environments.

1. Words Create Reality

Some statements make something happen (declarations).

“I name you captain.”
“You’re starting tonight.”
“Practice begins at 3:30.”

They decide. The same applies to athletes. “You are becoming a great passer.” Coaches reshape identity. 

2. The Speaker Matters

Speech works when spoken by the right person in the right context.

A coach names the lineup. A referee declares a point. Authority matters.

In sports, the coach’s voice carries weight. A respected coach can change an athlete’s confidence instantly. That is why careless criticism travels far.

Leadership amplifies language.

3. Words Set Standards

Some statements function as promises.

“We dive for every ball.”
“We celebrate teammates.”
“We don't blame.”

These are not slogans. They set norms. Spoken repeatedly and enforced, they become culture.

Language shapes culture.

4. Feedback Is Intervention

Correction intervenes in performance.

“Get your onramp to attack.”
“Beat the ball to the spot.”
“Reset.”

Those words redirect attention and movement.

Top coaches use simple, specific language. Clarity works.

Confusing words create confusing play.

5. Repetition Builds Identity

Austin showed that speech acts rely on repetition and recognition.

Repeated statements shape identity.

“You are tough.”
“You are resilient.”
“You are a great teammate.”

Over time, athletes live up to the language they hear.

This relates to the Pygmalion effect in psychology: expectations influence performance.

Coaches teach more than skill as they author identity.

Coaching Lessons

Speech acts fill practice.

A whistle starts a drill. A correction changes scrimmage. Compliments build confidence.

Lagniappe. Snap to it. 

Body Weight Exercises

Take advantage of what you carry around with you daily by doing "body weight exercises." 

"High intensity circuit training" (HICT) seems to be an efficient means of exercise to help decrease body fat, improve insulin sensitivity, and improve V˙O2max and muscular fitness."

With a jump rope (for aerobic conditioning) and HICT you can accomplish a lot without expensive or unavailable equipment. 

"Exercises are performed for 30 seconds, with 10 seconds of transition time between bouts. Total time for the entire circuit workout is approximately 7 minutes. The circuit can be repeated 2 to 3 times."

1. Jumping jacks Total body
2. Wall sit Lower body
3. Push-up Upper body
4. Abdominal crunch Core
5. Step-up onto chair Total body
6. Squat Lower body
7. Triceps dip on chair Upper body
8. Plank Core
9. High knees/running in place Total body
10. Lunge Lower body
11. Push-up and rotation Upper body
12. Side plank Core

Can't remember the list? Take a picture with your phone as a 'go by'. 

Creating a Hit Show

A successful team is similar to a "hit" movie. Each template has 1) talented stars 2) skilled supporting cast 3) behind the scene contributions 4) inspiring director. All the components working in selfless harmony on set. #OscarNight

— Gordon Chiesa (@gchiesaohmy) March 15, 2026

Leverage the power of analogy. Coach Chiesa likens team sports to Hollywood productions. Let's examine the possibilities. 

Talented Stars

Top players are "the straws that stir the drink." Tom Brady says that the hidden factor is 'consistency', the ability to show up and to perform at a high level, day after day when its hard. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra reminds us "there is always a pecking order." Being 'the star' means attention that cuts both ways, the highlights when winning and the critical spotlights when not. 

“To be successful, you don’t have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined, and willing to work for it. No shortcuts.”

— Tom Brady

Success favors consistency. pic.twitter.com/8H2yk2Brb7

— Curious Minds (@CuriousMindsHub) March 7, 2026

Supporting Cast

Poet John Donne wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." Each part makes the whole.

Volleyball is not golf or tennis, one player against another. Team sport challenges people to collaborate and build a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Offseason training is an ecosystem that allows you to shape a shared vision, shared mission, and shared sacrifice in pursuit of greater goals. Be "force multipliers." 

Be there not only with each other but for each other. 

Show up daily with your best effort, even when you don't feel like it. 

Behind the Scenes

Ordinary people can shape extraordinary accomplishments with a support system. Your family provides you with the picks and shovels to help you mine gold. Recognize their sacrifice and support that allows you to do what you love. 

Make their job easier by being part of the team at home. 

Do yourself a favor by taking care of your business at school. And help yourself by keeping a 'scrapbook' of both traditional and electronic media.  

Inspiring Director 

"The director is the keeper of the story." - Ron Howard   Coach Scott Celli and his staff are your biggest advocates and supporters after your family. Understand that "mentoring is the only shortcut to success." Coaches have limited direct impact during the offseason. "Pick their brains" prospecting for tips that help you achieve the "asymptote of excellence." 

Image created with ChatGPT Plus

"You own your paycheck." If you want a hit show, craft your blueprint. 

Lagniappe. Volleyball education... MVB has always excelled at the net, even when they didn't have "elite size." AVCA Tip of the Week shares an action to improve around the net. 

Bent Knee Calf Raises

Via ChatGPT Plus, a helpful slant board exercise: 

Bent-Knee Soleus Raises (Most Important)

Why it matters

During a vertical jump the knee is partially bent, which means the soleus muscle contributes enormous force production. Many athletes undertrain it.

How to do it

1. Stand on the slant board facing uphill.

2. Bend knees slightly (athletic stance).

3. Raise heels slowly.

4. Pause at the top.

5. Lower under control.

Prescription

• 3–4 sets

• 8–12 reps

• Slow tempo (3 sec down)

Volleyball application

This builds the “spring” in the lower leg used during the final extension phase of the jump. 

The Pygmalion Effect

We’re all works in progress. One of the quiet privileges of coaching is realizing that, sometimes, your influence can change the direction of a student’s life.

In 1913, George Bernard Shaw wrote Pygmalion, inspired by the old Greek myth of a sculptor whose statue comes to life. The musical and film My Fair Lady tells the same story in a different form as Professor Henry Higgins transforms a street merchant (Eliza Doolittle) into a lady. In their own way, coaches and teachers revisit that story every day.

Psychologists call it the Pygmalion effect - the idea that high expectations can lead people to perform better. In a famous classroom study, researchers Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson found that when teachers were led to believe certain students would excel, those students often did.

It’s the classic self-fulfilling prophecy. When mentors communicate belief, students often rise to meet it. And that belief can extend beyond performance to values - things like sportsmanship, effort, and character.

Of course, simple ideas aren’t always easy to execute. Growth requires clarity, specificity, and honest correction. And there’s an old reminder that still holds true: you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

As coaches, we’re always looking at the raw materials—size, athleticism, curiosity, work ethic—and imagining what a player might become. We project forward. We hope. And when that potential finally comes to life, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

I'm unsure who will be the next MVB version of Eliza Doolittle, but I know that she is out there. 

Lagniappe. Our greatest challenges... 

Your competition isn’t other people. pic.twitter.com/2ZCr4uU9by

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) February 22, 2026

MVB on the Road in Philadelphia

One MVB Mom said, "There are only two seasons - volleyball season and offseason volleyball." 

A number of MVB players are on the road in Philadelphia this weekend. 

Click to enlarge photographs.