Mid-Season Blues??

Although we are well past mid season (only 3 matches left until sectional play starts), the team does not seem to be on the same page. Experiencing lots of mental & communication errors and lack of focus between points. Although we have gone 2-1 one since my last post, it is pretty obvious that we are not "Locked in" as a team. We are winning, but it sure doesn't feel like we are.

Sometimes I feel like the team doesn't believe it can win a championship and subsequently they start to not make the team and it's goals a priority. Over the past 3 years my teams seem to have lost their passion for winning as the post-season approaches. 2nd round in '08 lost to a team we had beaten twice in the regular season, made the finals in '09 and lost to a team that was beatable, but boy was it a struggle the weeks leading up to that sectional final.

Now here we are again poised to head into sectionals as the number 1 seed for the first time ever (we need to win our last 3 matches to do so) and instead of peaking we are taking steps backwards. I believe I can coach a team to the sectional championship, I can picture it, I honestly believe I can do it. I have this belief with out ANY proof that it can happen!! I've never coached a team to a volleyball sectional championship, but I still believe I can. But does the team? No one on the team has ever been part of a Hamilton sectional championship team, could this be the reason, that they have no proof that if they believe it will pay off?

One of the greatest factors for success is the ability to believe without proof. To know that even though you haven't accomplished something yet, that you are good enough to, and that you will accomplish it. When we were kids we believed in Santa Clause, we believed with all of our heart that one man could deliver all those toys, and to this day I still believe in the spirit of Christmas. There is something that just happens around this time of year that is magical even though there is no proof that there is anything different during this time of year compared to say, June. Almost everyone believes with no proof. I think people could achieve almost anything if they could have that kind of belief in themselves (and their teammates).

When we compare this to volleyball, it is seeing yourself win when you haven't even played the match yet. For me, I think about winning championships, I think about someday coaching in the State Championship match (even though that doesn't exist for winter volleyball, how's that for belief!). I can see those things, I believe I can accomplish those things, no matter what anybody tells me. I want my players to have that.

I hope for my players to start with some small things, believing they can make a dig on a ball that they think is outside their range, hitting a good serve late in a match or set, hitting a shot that they didn't think was within their ability, showing leadership...that one is huge, because I think so many of them are afraid to lead, because they have no proof of what the outcome may be. They are afraid they might receive negative feedback...to believe that they can lead even though they have no proof that they can - that would be huge, huge for the individual's self confidence, and self worth - huge for the team - huge to have multiple members of the team believe in something with no proof.

That's what we need...BELIEF...in ourselves, our teammates, our program, our school. If we have that nothing can stop us! AND THAT I BELIEVE!