Teams are somewhat evenly matched and one team wins on the sum of making more plays, resilience (mental and physical toughness), and luck
One team is the underdog but in the moment summons their talent, togetherness, resilience, and luck.
The first 'prototype' means winning the games you're supposed to win.
The second is winning "tossup" or "pick 'em" games.
The third is having the grit to win games few people give you a chance to win.
"Signature wins" aren't borne of the first, sometimes the second, but especially arise from the latter.
The best coaches get the most from the players they have. Some coaches assemble all-star teams and earn praise by winning with overwhelming force. Meh. MVB will have a mixture of experience and youth and need a high level of grit. Be up for that.
Most players think they are playing hard when they are sweating. The sweat just means you’re warmed up, playing hard is a whole different level. Great take 👇 pic.twitter.com/9NYL6Ybur1
Sacrifice with the hard work of preparation and practice.
Remember the iceberg. What we see is a tiny fraction of the mass.
The volleyball season is the tip of the iceberg. The skill building, film study, strength and conditioning, resilience training, and everything else MVB happens below the waterline.
Athletes show remarkable commitment and resolve to "build the base of the iceberg" when so little shows.
Playing for Coach Scott Celli isn't that hard if you understand icebergs.
Lagniappe. Get more time by becoming an impact attacker.
Systems spawn success. Successful programs have training systems, offensive systems, defensive systems, and communication systems.
For example, group texts communicate important information such as practice time, uniform distribution/pickup, bus schedules.
The most important communication system is interpersonal. MVB '24 had the strongest on-court voice in Maggie Turner. Talk engages teammates and energizes them. Team leadership has loud voices and everyone has to participate.
Your culture and leadership help define you.
There's a difference between assume and presume. One definition of assume is to take on or have power or responsibility. Assuming leadership is not resume building. It's people and organization building.
"Have a system that promotes good habits..." - James Clear
What is your study system? (academics)
What is your strength and conditioning system?
What is your game learning system? (e.g. YouTube videos)
What is your skill development system? (e.g. out of season)
What is your team-building system? (workout with partners)
What is your resilience building? (e.g. mindfulness)
If we can't explain our system, is it too complicated or non-existent?
Shooting a few hoops in my driveway one Saturday. My phone rings, it says, "PUERTO RICO." I answer and it's Butch Lee (Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four in 1977) and NCAA Player of the Year. "Hi, it's Butch, just wanted to talk some basketball." Basketball travels.
You're busy and you want daily ideas and solutions. Here's a 3-Minute Pitch for reading here inspired by Brant Pinvidic's The 3-Minute Rule.
1. Give me three minutes a day.
2. Readers matter because you 'spread the gospel' and sell your belief.
3. Simplicity and clarity define valuable messages. Keep it simple.
4. Evaluate via this prism:
What is it? - Daily basketball and leadership education
How does it work? - Phil Jackson said, "basketball is sharing." That.
Are you sure? Show your receipts.
Can you do it? Read on.
5. Is it a just a pebble into the pond or create ripples?
Analogies help us. It's not about the pebble; it's the ripples that can change the world.
6. Share interesting and important information.
Clear blog philosophy - TIA, teamwork, improvement, accountability
"Possessions and possession." Get more possessions and maximize each one.
Develop "possession enders," players who get scores and stops
Analytics matter - edges in shooting, turnovers, rebounds, free throws
Graduates have become leaders in business, education, and more
Blog ranked in the top 50 of Feedspot's basketball blog world rankings
Of 25 middle school girls I coached (head coach), two have NCAA Division 1 scholarships.
What about volleyball?
Be a great teammate. Being a great teammate is a choice.
The best players make everyone around them better. Those are reasons why people in the know recognized Leah Fowke's play and why Sabine Wenzel and others will matter so much in 2025.
Excellent teams WIN MORE POINTS. They win off serves, block-kills, and attacks.
Excel at fundamentals, the core skills - serve-serve receive, attack-block, set-pass-dig.
Everything practiced should impact winning.
7. Deliver a compelling opening. See above.
8. When did you start to believe? A group of nobodies went 21-4 en route to the State Semifinals of the top basketball division in Massachusetts.
9. Disappear the elephant in the room. Where are your receipts?
10.What's your hook and your edge? Get players' attention. Sixth grade tryout. A little girl comes up to me, "Coach, I am really excited to be here." She understood the core value, "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm."
Lagniappe. Catch the MVB excitement.
Lagniappe 2. Chuck Daly said, "I'm a salesman." We all are. I sold healthier lifestyles as a physician. Here's the ChatGPT summary of "3-Minute Rule"
Brant Pinvidic’s The 3-Minute Rule: Say Less to Get More from Any Pitch or Presentation focuses on simplifying your message to maximize impact. His core philosophy is: “Say less to get more.” The book offers a framework for creating concise, clear, and compelling pitches, with the idea that you should convey the essence of your idea or proposal in three minutes or less.
Key Concepts:
The 4 “WHAC” Questions:
What is it? Clearly define your idea or offering.
How does it work? Explain the mechanics in simple, accessible terms.
Are you sure? Prove the credibility of your idea with facts, logic, or data.
Can you do it? Demonstrate feasibility and your ability to execute.
Keep it Simple:
Avoid jargon, overexplaining, or overwhelming your audience with details.
Prioritize clarity over flashiness.
The Power of Storytelling:
Present your message in a logical, engaging sequence that keeps attention and builds curiosity.
Use emotional triggers strategically to connect with your audience.
The First Three Minutes Are Crucial:
People form opinions quickly, so the opening moments of a pitch should grab attention and provide a clear framework for understanding your idea.
The audience should leave with a clear takeaway, even if they don’t get all the details.
The “Information Hierarchy”:
Start with the most compelling and easy-to-digest information first.
Layer in supporting details as needed, only after the big-picture idea is clear.
Pinvidic provides numerous real-world examples and exercises to help readers refine their messaging. His approach is useful for entrepreneurs, coaches, and anyone needing to present ideas effectively, emphasizing that simplicity and structure lead to persuasion and results.
If you asked Coach Scott Celli about the best players he ever coached, what questions would you have?
What was their daily attitude?
How did they make players around them better?
What skill or skills did they excel in?
Were they a good teammate?
What were their leadership skills?
What was there off-season skill development?
How did they improve their athleticism?
How did they impact winning?
You probably know many of these answers. If you can't, you'll probably progress more slowly than you want. It's your job to provide the answers for your training.
Presuming that you could, align your habits and player development with those of the player or players you would model. Practice core skills (platform, footwork, attack runup and arm swing, serving). Study video for better reads and game understanding. Build athleticism and resilience.
Sport rewards skill. Talent is more than skill.
Sport rewards game knowledge.
Sport rewards athletic explosion.
Sport rewards grit.
Lagniappe. If you want to 'cut the line' and earn more playing time sooner, become an elite blocker. Here are tips:
