"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