Players and teams need to possess quality and efficient fundamentals to be successful. But we think the difference between a team winning a league championship and a state championship lies in the coaches, players and team having a higher degree of mental toughness and having the confidence to succeed.

It is our opinion that individual and team defense show the true character and integrity of a team. In the development of Lehman volleyball teams, we have always stressed the need for the entire team to possess the necessary defensive movement patterns to play aggressive defense and then try to enhance the players abilities to play as a cohesive unit. Different techniques are used to dig different shots, but the attitude that "no ball will land in my area of responsibility" must remain constant.

We personally feel that what counts is the effort, and the opportunity to get the ball is the reward. A player or players will be removed from a drill or scrimmage because of their reluctance or hesitation to go for a ball. We want this desire to "dig every ball inside the lines" to be a trademark of all Lehman volleyball teams.

We also are believers in the value of communications whether it is coach to player or player to player. We believe that the coaching staff and players have to be able to make adjustments and communicate at all times their feelings and decisions to each other. It is difficult for many teams to develop an emotional base where players have high expectations and a sense of responsibility toward each other to keep the intensity high. This is a very important principle which is not solely the coach's job to develop. The entire team needs to be focused and committed to the various tasks of a good team effort.

We will always enter a match with an offensive and defensive game plan, as will the opponent. The reason Lehman volleyball teams will win is because we will make the necessary adjustments and maintain our concentration. We will look at each rotation and determine the best offensive and defensive system for that rotation based upon the opponent's current and past tendencies.

It is understood by all the players on our volleyball teams that the goal of the program is to have each team compete to the best of the combined abilities of the participants. This means certain players are going to be given more opportunities to play for longer periods of time than other players. Some players will receive limited playing time but will have specific responsibilities that are needed for the total team to compete successfully. They will be role players or specialists.

We have been especially fortunate at to have had players who listen well and are willing to sacrifice for the welfare of the team. The coaching staff fully expects this trend to continue.

It is all part of the team concept.