Defense

Note this quote via Mike Giardi (Boston Sports Journal) from Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington:

"We're not an individual-based defense like we're going to win because of this one person," he asserted. "We're going to win because we play well as a team, and we play good team defense, we play with fundamentals, and we play aggressively and do what we're supposed to do. That's why we win. That's why we're going to win, and that's how we've done it in the past, too..."

Interdependence...defense across sports is team defense. Yes, individual skill, smarts, and effort matter. One player cannot make a defense. 

Every defense has vulnerable areas. Play deep and more short balls fall in. Play up and be susceptible to some deep corner attacks which are hard to place. 

Anticipation adds value. If a short outside hitter opposes a tall double block, she has to try to push off the outside blocker's hand, go "high hands" with the attack and risk long hits, or go 'rainbow'. With the latter two, the back row has to get deeper. 

Understand the defensive strategy, positioning and coverage. Double check with the coaches and have everyone on the same page. 

Lagniappe. Always verify with your coaches.