"Alternative Blindness"

"Each deal we measure against the second-best deal that is available at any given time - even if it means doing more of what we are already doing." - Warren Buffett 

Choose the best option among all available options.

Scarcity Is Real

You know the saying "robbing Peter to pay Paul." There are only so many roster spots, minutes, and practice hours. Coaches and players make hard choices about allocation of scarce resources. 

The Trap: False Choices

What if a coach decides that only serving and scrimmaging matter. Both may even be the best options.

The question becomes, how much of each?

And which serving drills? Which type of scrimmage? Not all “good” is equal.

Competition Creates Complexity

Take middle hitters. There are two starting spots and multiple capable players

It’s never Player A vs Player B. It's Player A vs Player B vs Player C… and sometimes Player D.

And then: who fits best with the setter? Who blocks better against this opponent? Who performs under pressure?

This is not vanilla vs coffee.

Don’t Miss the Edelman Lesson

Julian Edelman was a college quarterback. He became one of the most clutch receivers in the NFL. Why? Someone saw another option.

The Edge

Exceptional programs don’t just work hard. They evaluate constantly, compare options honestly, and adjust when better choices appear.

Don't become "blind to possibilities" in life because there are often more possibilities than you know. 

Lagniappe. What is your contribution? 

Geno Auriemma said, "Your contribution doesn’t have to be 25 points. But it has to be something."

"Your number one contribution is the energy you bring."
You don’t have to score to make an impact.

Great teammates bring energy, effort, and attitude. pic.twitter.com/8d8CYE0xuk

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) February 21, 2026

Lagniappe 2. Excellent coaches are students.  

The best coaches don’t just study the game. They study other ways to see the game.

That’s what Joe Mazzulla did this summer.

Instead of staying comfortable, he went to France, not for vacation, but to learn.

He spent time with Le Mans head coach Guillaume Vizade to exchange… pic.twitter.com/syMb0IQtza

— James Purchin (@JamesPurchin) March 23, 2026

Volleyball Values

“When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’

’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’

’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.”

― Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Writers toss words around like children throw playthings - culture, standards, values. Casual abuse of English is lazy. Inhabit specifics, terms as shared experience.

Humpty Dumpty answers: Meaning belongs to whoever has control. Coach Scott Celli owns that narrative. 

When the coach defines them clearly:

• shared language

• shared expectations

• shared behavior

What words shape values? Simplifying, think effort, teammate, compete, accountability. 

Make Words Observable

Values need visibility. 

Effort

Not: “Play hard.”

Instead:

• Sprint to base every transition

• Close the block every rep

• Cover hitters on every swing

Teammate

Not: “Be supportive.”

Instead:

• Talk on every serve-receive rep

• Help a teammate up immediately

• Own your role, even as a reserve

Compete

Not: “Be competitive.”

Instead:

• Score the next point after an error (stop the bleeding)

• Stay present at 23–23

• Execute despite fatigue

Accountability

Not: “Be responsible.”

Instead:

• Stop excuses.

• Make corrections. 

• Do your job so others can do theirs

Your actions define your values. 

Lagniappe. Train your focus and skills. 

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A post shared by Reese Bates (@reesebatesvolleyball)

Making a Difference

Kelvin Sampson shares what separates good programs from great ones.

It comes down to 3 things.

"The best teams come from the coaching staffs that are the best demanders. There are certain non-negotiables."

"We're not going to sit down and talk about this...This is the way it's… https://t.co/3XXHNDrng8 pic.twitter.com/ZWxYInHGdS

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) March 17, 2026

The formula is:

1. Standards 2. Accountability 3. Raised Expectations.

What do coaches want? They want to make a difference in people's lives. Nobody can make everyone happy because there's a finite amount of minutes, roles, and recognition.

As a player, what matters to you? Suggestions:

"Team first." Every exceptional coach from Wooden, Belichick, Calipari, Auriemma, and Coach Scott Celli puts the welfare of the team first.

"Be an ambitious giver." Make teammates better.

"Impact winning." You can do that with effort, encouragement, and behaviors representing yourself and the team.

"Be good at what you do a lot."

"Become a lifelong learner, a "learn-it-all." That includes knowing your responsibilities and those of other team members. #AttentiontoDetail

Reject the "killer S's." Avoid sloth (laziness), selfishness, and softness (lack of mental toughness).

Lagniappe.

Be a life-long student. pic.twitter.com/1ZLXBSfSJh

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) March 15, 2026

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

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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