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

Individual and team defense show the true character and integrity of a team. In the development of teams, it should be 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.

What counts is the effort, and the opportunity to get the ball is the reward. A player or players should be removed from a drill or scrimmage because of their reluctance or hesitation to go for a ball.This desire to "dig every ball inside the lines" is a trademark of all successful volleyball teams.

Championship teams also are believers in the value of communications whether it is coach-to-player or player-to-player. 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 and to keep this 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.

Each team enters a match with an offensive and defensive game plan. The reason one team wins is due to making the necessary tactical adjustments and maintaining their concentration. Winning teams are able to 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 should be understood by all the players on a 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.

Volleyball programs with a long history of success have been especially fortunate to have players who listen well and are willing to sacrifice for the welfare of the team.

It is all part of the team concept.