Winning as an Underdog

“Predicting rain doesn’t count; building arks does.” Peter Bevelin in “Seeking Wisdom”

Winning is supposed to be hard. That’s why we celebrate. When facing strong opponents, shift the odds. That's tough because unlike basketball we cannot change the tempo trying to play a low scoring game. You can't 'run out the clock' in volleyball. 

Where do our and opponents points arise? Sun Tzu argued over two millennia ago, “utilize strengths, attack weaknesses.”

How?

1) Play well. "Thank you Captain Obvious." Bill Parcells says, "confidence comes from proven success." Historically successful teams ('legacy programs') play well more often than not. With a state title and ten sectionals in twenty years, Melrose mostly plays well. 

2) "Do more of what works and less of what doesn't." If you're scoring on tips, do more. If you're not scoring on setter dumps or opposite attacks, do less. 

3) Limit what the opponent does best. Nobody erases the elite player. But you might get her rotated to the back or out. Or you continually improve double blocking the outside. Not to adjust is to decide. 

4) Excel at "possession enders" that lead to or lose points. 

• Consistent service
• Serve receive
• Avoid bad plays (in the net, overpasses, misplayed free balls - if it's a 'get me over' hit, just get it over).
• Boost attack efficiency
• "Do what we do." If we're not strong at something, don't do it.

Your coaching staff works with you on fundamentals daily. Don't cheat the drill. 

5) Close out sets. You've seen the end of the Billerica 2021 game over and over. Billerica played the final point 'not to lose'. That's unintentional but it happens. Melrose went for it. Part of winning is doing 'whatever it takes'.

 

6) Make special plays. Jill MacInnes kept the ball in play and made spectacular plays seem routine. Do that something, something.

Lagniappe. Engage your core to get more power while staying "on top of the ball." 

Lagniappe 2. Believe in yourselves.