Free Advice - Self-control and Passion

Four days until tryouts. 

"Keep your head cool and your heart warm." 

The first reflects thinking. The second describes caring. You need both.

As volleyball tryouts approach, emotions rise. Players want to impress. They worry about making the team, earning a starting position, or proving themselves. Emotional energy isn't the enemy. Challenge yourself to direct that energy well. 

Keep your head cool

You may recall the expression from Legacy, to "keep a blue head." Play under control. A cool head makes better decisions.

• Don't let one bad play spiral into a series of mistakes. 
• Don't compare yourself to others. "Comparison is the thief of joy." 
• You cannot win tryouts with one special play. Be consistent and grounded.
• Stay present. Play the next ball.

The athletes who often stand out aren't those who never make mistakes. They're the ones whose decision-making remains steady after mistakes.

Keep your heart warm

A warm heart remembers why you're part of MVB. Compete fiercely and encourage teammates.

Celebrate someone else's great play. MUDITA. "Your joy is my joy." Thank the coaches. Respect officials and opponents.

Play with joy. A warm heart understands that volleyball is a team sport. Coaches notice players who make others better - not only through skill, but through communication, energy, and trust.

The balance

Warm heart without a cool head becomes anxiety. Cool head without a warm heart makes a player aloof. 

Top competitors find balance, competing with passion while playing under control with discipline. 

The coach's perspective

Coaches don't just evaluate volleyball skills.

They're asking themselves questions like:

• Can I trust this player when the match gets tight?
• Does she communicate?
• How does she respond to coaching?
• Does she recover after an error?
• Does she elevate the people around her?

Talent gets you noticed but it isn't enough. Character often determines who earns trust. The cool head and warm heart help you make the plays that change games. 

A tryout mindset

As you prepare for tryouts, remember control and fire. 

• Cool head: Think clearly. Stay poised. Make good volleyball decisions.
• Warm heart: Compete with enthusiasm. Encourage teammates. Love the game.

Keep those two things consistently and you'll become the kind of player every coach needs on the court.

A cool head serves accountability, owning your choices and responding intelligently. A warm heart serves teamwork, contributing to force larger than yourself. When those qualities mix, athletes not only perform better, they foster teamwork and leadership. 

Lagniappe. Character, Competence, and More 

4 Key principles of influence pic.twitter.com/XU4vkOXuo0

— Always Keep Learning (@AlwaysKeepL) August 9, 2026