Margin for Error

All opinions and errors expressed in the blog are solely mine. The blog is not an official publication of MVB or any City of Melrose institution. 

"Margin for error" reveals no early warning signs. 

Melrose played 74 sets this season. 8 were decided by 3 points, 7 decided by 2 points, meaning 15 were decided by 2-3 points. 

Subtracting the 22 sets played against the weaker teams in the Middlesex League leaves 52 sets, of which 15 (29 percent) were decided by 2-3 points. In other words, "critical points" decided over a quarter of sets played against "better" competition.

Raise your "sense of urgency" preparing for the season. Ambitions fulfilled mean more points won and fewer given away by 'correctable' actions. 

What does "correctable actions" mean?

• "Control what you can control." Elevate focus. 
• "Stop runs." That depends on focus. Momentum erases leads.
• "Hold serve." Be intentional finding seams and weaknesses.
• "Block steady." Anticipate and get hands on the ball. 

Don't concern yourself with correcting technique during matches. You won't find great hitters changing their stance in game or golfers working on their swing during the Masters. 

Lagniappe. Your preparation and process now manifest during the season and the postseason. "Process over prize." 

Rory McIlroy shares one of his favorite mantras and mindsets.

"One of the things that I love is focusing on the process over the prize."

"I would say to myself a lot: 'Process over prize. Process over prize. Process over prize.'"

"Just to take myself away from the outcome."… pic.twitter.com/JMGpH3cC0z

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) April 11, 2026