Coaches are right on in saying that consistency is a huge weapon in volleyballs! Consistency in making the correct decision on where to place the serve. Consistency in executing the correct tactic at the right moment. Consistency in hitting more winners than unforced errors.  But that is just what you see. What was going on in an elite player's mind? What kind of attitude does an elite player bring to the match? This is the unseen advantage that is often overlooked.

Let's identify some sport psychology principles present in an elite player's mindset.

• Turning Adversity into Advantage: Rather than making excuses, an elite player finds the positive in every negative situation

• Staying Hopeful and Confident: The way we frame things is often more important than the supposed actual reality. An elite player stays very positive in her thinking. Henry Ford once said "whether you think you can or think you can't, you are right."

• Not Over-thinking in a Match: Despite all the great mental tips and suggestions, once a match begins it auto-pilot time. It's much better to just play volleyball and let habits take over than to over-think.

• Focusing without Fear: An elite player knows what it means to stay focused without letting fear intrude. The elite player just focuses on executing opportunities that she does get and tries to create as many opportunities as possible.  So many players worry. The elite player keeps it simple and keep the focus on what she is doing now.

• Remaining Extremely Confident: An elite player assumes someone else is going to have to play well to beat her. Prior to a match, the elite player prepares herself properly to be at her best for the next opponent; to make the other team play a great match to beat her.

• Working Hard: All the mental tips in the world if won't work if a player doesn't work! An elite player can make something out of nothing. An elite player can make the most difficult play appear easy. Why? Because of the hard work done prior to a match.

An elite player demonstrates a precise combination of physical and mental superiority. An elite player demonstrates accuracy and consistency in executing skills and tactics. An elite player demonstrates an attitude and insight that make the other players realize that the mental game is much more than a few clever suggestions to play smart volleyball. The thoughts, feelings, habits and sensations actually control the actions. When it all works together brilliantly, you get an elite volleyball player that is capable of making the other players on her team better.