Rankings and Reputation

Reputation and rankings don't define success. Daily habits leading to fundamental consistency, aggressiveness, and execution define results. 

"Confidence comes from proven success," said Bill Parcells. Earned self-belief and the investment of time define competitive greatness and help achieve the "asymptote of excellence."

All of us have "limitations" set by our physical and mental makeup. Those set our performance "ceiling." The student-athletes with a mindset of success, mentoring, and culture raise their position along the 'theoretical' curve. 

Define your destiny. Years ago we attended a Melrose girls basketball game at another ML venue. The opposition girls were sitting in the stands. One said to a teammate, "if we're lucky, we'll only lose by thirty." They weren't. 

Coach Ellis Lane told his team decades ago before a playoff game, "This team is good. They can give you a game." The players looked at each other, thinking "That is not happening." The final score? 76-23 with the starters playing minimally the second half after leading 45-10 at halftime. 

"Repetitions make reputations."

Lagniappe. Do. Not. Quit. Video from 2005 State Championship. 

 

Cognitive Bias Series - "Social Comparison Bias"

"You can't keep a good man down." - Proverb

In reality, people try that regularly. Rather than face competition from a fresh face, some put the promising newcomer on the "back burner," disallowing them to outshine senior staff.

Max Planck famously said, "Science advances one funeral at a time." 

In Carl Pierson's The Politics of Coaching, he shares how parents of upperclassmen sometimes prevent rising freshmen from competing on Summer League squads. It's only natural that parents advocate for their children.

Regardless of whether you're an upperclassman or a youngster, put team first and strive to help all teammates. Better to be seen as "magnanimous" than be exposed as selfish. 

Save this quote from Maya Angelou: 

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Lagniappe. Serving strategies. 

How to Be a Great Teammate

Via Herb Welling

Can we simplify?

1) Care for others

2) Be positive 

3) Put the team first 

 

Repetitions

Recognize a hierarchy of training activities with argument about the precise order. These are just a few options. 

Random practice 

Sport is chaos and training cannot be precisely sequenced and simultaneously random. Scrimmaging is chaos but often without "enough touches" to maximize benefit. 

Small-sided games (SSG)

SSGs overcome the limitation of scrimmaging (number of repetitions). Fewer players -> more reps -> faster learning -> clearer accountability. An example: 3 person, 2 contacts

Practice with a teammate

More touches and still opportunity for creativity. You say, "that looks boring." Exceptional players stay focused on fundamentals to the point that actions become "do, don't think." 

Coach John Wooden said of future Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton, "He never tired of practicing the fundamentals of footwork." 

Solo practice

How can you get solo reps of hitting, passing, and digging? It takes a bit of imagination. 

Lagniappe. Become capable of playing "harder for longer." What does it take to break you? 

Lagniappe 2. The same standards of behavior apply to everyone. Leaders model excellence. Leaders make leaders. Leaders mentor younger players. Become the standard. 

Whenever there is a dispute, both parties are required to have equal levels of integrity, to be open-minded and assertive, and to be equally considerate. The judges must hold the parties to the same standards and provide feedback consistent with these standards. I have often seen… pic.twitter.com/jWLn5ED64P

— Ray Dalio (@RayDalio) March 25, 2026

Four Types of Players - Whom Do You Become?

Become the player you want to be.  

Images created with ChatGPT Plus

Steal from Other Coaches*

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose organization. 

*Adapted from my basketball blog.

"Good artists borrow; great artists steal." - Picasso

Joe Mazzulla fills up the postgame statsheet with buzzwords and sound bytes. There's value to the approaches of the best coaches.

Give credit to the players. 

Coaches know that their livelihood depends on the players. Excellent coaches inhabit the "give credit" realm.

Never become complacent. 

The Celtics won three games in four nights, including Monday night's win in "Cream City" (Milwaukee). When asked about that, Mazzulla responded, "We'll see how it goes Wednesday." Everyone in sports gets judged by the next performance and you have to be willing to put it out there. 

Process...process...process

Mazzulla said that it starts with the Front Office. "Brad" finds guys with "competitive character." Rookie Hugo Gonzalez, playing a few minutes a game for Real Madrid last season, got a start and delivered tough defense (+27), career highs in points (18) and rebounds (16), three steals and two blocks. 

Competitive Character (An AI digression)

Doing What Wins - Not What Impresses

Competitive character means:

• Valuing the right shot over your shot

• Sprinting back on defense when tired

• Screening with force even if you won’t get the ball

It’s substance over style.

Stevens has often emphasized that the game rewards people who focus on “winning behaviors” - the unglamorous details.

2️⃣ Emotional Control Under Stress

For Stevens, competitive character includes:

• Responding to adversity without drama

• Playing the next possession

• Not letting officials, mistakes, or momentum swings dictate effort

It’s poise without passivity. Competitive character shows up most when things go poorly.

3️⃣ Consistency, Not Spikes

He has repeatedly valued:

• Daily work habits

• Film engagement

• Practice intensity

In his programs, talent alone was never enough. The question was: Can you bring the same competitive edge every day?

This echoes your “rare is dear” theme - consistency is scarce.

4️⃣ Team-First Accountability

Competitive character includes:

• Accepting hard coaching

• Telling the truth in film sessions

• Taking responsibility for breakdowns

It’s the opposite of blame-shifting.

Stevens’ Butler teams weren’t the most athletic, but they were famously connected and disciplined. That wasn’t accidental — it was cultural selection.

5️⃣ Competing the Right Way

He has described competition as:

• Guarding the ball

• Rebounding

• Executing late

• Trusting teammates

This translates to "our deal":

• Win this possession.
• Choose the high percentage action.
• Play with poise. 
• Protect the team standard

None of this is 'secret sauce' or 'proprietary'. Coaches with great relationships and players who care enough to buy in, commit, and compete can do this. 

Lagniappe. Execute. 

Results don’t come from strategy they come from execution (behavior).

— Alan Stein, Jr. (@AlanSteinJr) March 2, 2026

Lagniappe 2. Improvement. 

Neemias Queta on where he’s taking the biggest strides this season:

“I feel like I'm taking strides in so many different aspects of my game, and there's so much more I can get better at.”
-@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/cNfStmn9L1

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 25, 2026

 

"Get Out of the Bucket"

“Get out of the bucket.”

Bookmark this one.📍 https://t.co/M71Hazws89

— Greg Berge (@GregBerge) February 7, 2026

Volleyball is a game of momentum. That is why it's vital to keep opponents from getting "on a roll." Don't allow "death by a thousand cuts."

Self-regulate.

Help teammates self-regulate. 

Find ways to refocus such as "stop and take a deep breath," having a catchphrase like "next play" or visualization tool to see yourself making the next play. 

Failure as Fertilizer

“You’re not allowed to give excuses because excuses are a sign of weakness. We give no excuses when we fail. Failure is just fertilizer to help us grow as a team,” Rick Pitino

Excuses are yours to make.
Standards are yours to own.
Your choice matters. pic.twitter.com/4tqhyPVKkA

— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1) March 17, 2026

‘This honest Turk,’ he said to Pangloss and Martin, ‘seems to be in a far better place than kings…. I also know,” said Candide, “that we must cultivate our garden.’ 

In the French philosophical novel Candide, Voltaire reminds us to care for our garden. This resonates throughout sports as coaches explain, "I'm only worried about our team" or "I don't have any control over that." Charlie Jones wrote a novel about covering Olympic crew, having asked an oarsman about conditions. "That's Outside My Boat." 

Coach Scott Celli can't concern himself with the ML12 schedule, stronger opponents, or (limited by MIAA) offseason player development. 

As a player, recognize that "losses are lessons" and the most vivid lessons arise from failure not victory. 

In "Golf Is not a Game of Perfect," Dr. Bob Rotella writes that one of the biggest mistakes a golfer can make is to work on swing mechanics during a tournament. Total focus belongs on the shot at hand, which includes club selection and course management. Similarly, don't fix your attack mechanics or serve during a match. 

Coach Celli adheres to John Wooden's advice, "Don't whine, don't complain, and don't make excuses." 

The best way to find playing time, role, and recognition from September through November is to refine your technique, tactics, physicality, and psychology now, during the offseason. Refine now, reward later. 

Lagniappe. Control your breathing. 

Navy SEALS use box breathing to stay calm & intensely focused during stressful situations.

3 times per day for 5 minutes each will exponentially reduce your cortisol / stress levels.

Come back to this tweet to practice daily pic.twitter.com/vnnPlbIvfJ

— Bitcoin Teddy (@Bitcoin_Teddy) February 22, 2026

A Quick Test

Where are your weaknesses or physical needs? This instagram video suggests a simple test (do with both legs) to help diagnose problem areas. 

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A post shared by Bill Parisi (@bill_parisi)

"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

Volleyball Values

“When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’

’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’

’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.”

― Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Writers toss words around like children throw playthings - culture, standards, values. Casual abuse of English is lazy. Inhabit specifics, terms as shared experience.

Humpty Dumpty answers: Meaning belongs to whoever has control. Coach Scott Celli owns that narrative. 

When the coach defines them clearly:

• shared language

• shared expectations

• shared behavior

What words shape values? Simplifying, think effort, teammate, compete, accountability. 

Make Words Observable

Values need visibility. 

Effort

Not: “Play hard.”

Instead:

• Sprint to base every transition

• Close the block every rep

• Cover hitters on every swing

Teammate

Not: “Be supportive.”

Instead:

• Talk on every serve-receive rep

• Help a teammate up immediately

• Own your role, even as a reserve

Compete

Not: “Be competitive.”

Instead:

• Score the next point after an error (stop the bleeding)

• Stay present at 23–23

• Execute despite fatigue

Accountability

Not: “Be responsible.”

Instead:

• Stop excuses.

• Make corrections. 

• Do your job so others can do theirs

Your actions define your values. 

Lagniappe. Train your focus and skills. 

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A post shared by Reese Bates (@reesebatesvolleyball)

Making a Difference

Kelvin Sampson shares what separates good programs from great ones.

It comes down to 3 things.

"The best teams come from the coaching staffs that are the best demanders. There are certain non-negotiables."

"We're not going to sit down and talk about this...This is the way it's… https://t.co/3XXHNDrng8 pic.twitter.com/ZWxYInHGdS

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) March 17, 2026

The formula is:

1. Standards 2. Accountability 3. Raised Expectations.

What do coaches want? They want to make a difference in people's lives. Nobody can make everyone happy because there's a finite amount of minutes, roles, and recognition.

As a player, what matters to you? Suggestions:

"Team first." Every exceptional coach from Wooden, Belichick, Calipari, Auriemma, and Coach Scott Celli puts the welfare of the team first.

"Be an ambitious giver." Make teammates better.

"Impact winning." You can do that with effort, encouragement, and behaviors representing yourself and the team.

"Be good at what you do a lot."

"Become a lifelong learner, a "learn-it-all." That includes knowing your responsibilities and those of other team members. #AttentiontoDetail

Reject the "killer S's." Avoid sloth (laziness), selfishness, and softness (lack of mental toughness).

Lagniappe.

Be a life-long student. pic.twitter.com/1ZLXBSfSJh

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) March 15, 2026

You Gotta Dance Like Nobody's Watching

"Dance like no one's watching," thought Shirley Dander...because the point of dancing is everyone's watching, or they are if you're doing it right." - from Slough House by Mick Herron

Dancing is inherently performative and relational - it's display, it's communication, it's dominance and invitation simultaneously. 

Volleyball is also "performative" and best executed when played as though nobody's watching. Athletes can't be self-conscious, concerned about how they look instead of focused on the play in the moment. 

Focus 

Whether you play in front of nobody in practice or a thousand people at a playoff game, focus completely. The next ball deserves your full attention.

Communication

Talk engages, energizes, and intimidates. Be ELO - early, loud, and often. 

"Reading"

Top players aren’t always faster. They’re earlier. They see it sooner. Reading the serve, the setter, and the hitter are part of the continuum of CARE - concentration-> anticipation-> reaction-> and execution. Top players are "one step quicker." 

Situational Understanding

Sometimes you attack for a winner and others are "get me over" returns. Trust is built when players match decision to moment. Play the right play.

Mindset 

Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz had a saying, "You hang it, we bang it." Volleyball rewards consistency and aggressiveness. 

The Paradox

Volleyball is a performance. But the best performances happen when players: forget the crowd, forget the noise, and forget themselves and lock into the game.

Final Thoughts

Dance like nobody’s watching. Not because nobody is. But because the moment you stop thinking about the audience…you start playing at your best.

Lagniappe. Place your focus on the person you want to become. 

The person you will be in 5 years: pic.twitter.com/Sfac2zq4ye

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) February 19, 2026

 

The Way of Excellence (Handout)

Here's a downloadable handout from Brad Stulberg's "The Way of Excellence."  

Don't Reinvent the Wheel

Warren Buffett's business partner, Charlie Munger, told an audience that their edges included investing time in good ideas and avoiding stupidity (1).

"Share something great" (2) 

Share a story, recipe, poem, whatever. Sahil Bloom discusses the importance of "The Empty Cup" - a.k.a. Beginner's Mind (3).

Be curious. Be open. (4) 

If responsible to conduct practice and allowed only three activities, what would they be and why?

Add something to your game (5) 

What would it be and how would you do it? Add more topspin. Improve your tip game or setter dumps. 

Exploit analogy (6) 

How does something unrelated connect to another concept?

Think Again

Adam Grant's book "Think Again," comes to mind. Keep a "Rethinking Scorecard" (7) where you track how ideas or events changed your mind. 

Lead by example. Grant suggests keeping a "Leadership Scorecard" (8) to track how you responded to leadership opportunities.

Keep Score 

Why the numbers? Washington Post investigative journalist Bob Woodward shared a principle of his writing. Every column should inform the reader of at least six concepts (9) or issues. Even better, pull "actionable ideas" from the column (10).

Lagniappe. Bill Belichick was asked about being called "a genius." He explained that during his coaching career he'd been called "an idiot" plenty. 

“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you, It's a weakness to get caught up in either one.” - John Wooden pic.twitter.com/5QPiQPQwv0

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) February 18, 2026

Choices

Choose to have a positive mindset and keep "team first." 

Choose to "stay ready."

Choose to check in with teammates. They need your support. 

Choose to work hard every day for when your chance comes. 

Choose to optimize your condition with hydration, nutrition, sleep, and recovery. Dehydration shows up first as fatigue. 

Choose to bring the best version of yourself every day. 

Lagniappe. Sleep drives performance. 

Pay Yourself Explosiveness

The third leg of the four-legged improvement stool is athleticism. Whatever one's genetic makeup, training can boost athleticism - strength, quickness, conditioning. MVB has some wonderful athletes who will benefit from higher performance and injury resistance. 

Plan your training. First, a warmup recommended via ChatGPT Plus:

There is a recommended way to warm up for volleyball plyometrics, and it matters a lot. Going straight into jumping drills without prep is one of the fastest ways to irritate knees (patellar tendon) and ankles.

A good warmup should do three things:

1. raise temperature

2. activate key muscles (glutes, calves, core)

3. rehearse landing mechanics before explosive work

Here’s a practical, volleyball-specific sequence you can actually use with an emphasis on control: 

1. General Warmup (3–5 min)

Get your body temperature up:

• Light jog or shuffle

• Backpedal → forward run

• Carioca (grapevine)

2. Mobility + Dynamic Stretch (5–7 min)

Focus on joints used in jumping:

• Leg swings (front/back & side/side)

• Walking lunges + twist

• Ankle rocks (knee over toe)

• Hip openers

3. Activation (5–8 min)

This is where most people cut corners—but it’s critical.

• Glute bridges (10–15)

• Mini-band lateral walks

• Calf raises (slow, controlled)

• Plank or dead bug (core)

4. Landing Mechanics (VERY important)

Before plyos, teach your body how to absorb force.

• Snap-downs (rise on toes → drop into athletic stance)

• Stick landings (jump → hold landing 2–3 sec)

• Focus on:

  • Soft, quiet landings

  • Knees tracking over toes (not collapsing inward)

  • Hips back

5. Low-Intensity Plyo Prep (Progression)

Gradually ramp up:

• Pogos (quick ankle hops)

• Line hops (forward/back, side/side)

• Small squat jumps (50–70% effort)

6. THEN your main plyos (see below)

Now you’re ready for:

• Approach jumps

• Box jumps

• Depth jumps (only if experienced)

Volleyball-Specific Add-On

Because volleyball is approach-based:

• 2–3 controlled approach jumps at ~70%

• Focus on arm swing timing and penultimate step

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• Skipping landing prep → leads to knee pain

• Going max effort too early

• Ignoring ankles/calves (huge for vertical + injury prevention)

Bottom line

A proper warmup isn’t just about “loosening up”—it directly improves jump performance and reduces injury risk. Think of it as part of the workout, not a prelude.

Pogo work

Do this with your kids. https://t.co/jOOO1Kb8hu

— Tyrone V. Ross Jr. (@TR401) March 19, 2026

Dynamic plyometrics (easy to understand why to warm up)

Plyometric session with our 18U Club Volleyball players. pic.twitter.com/EJmAbmwCjV

— Missy Mitchell-McBeth (@missyMmcbeth) March 19, 2026