Must win at home

Who has been watching the NBA playoffs? I sure have. It seems home court advantage is a very big an advantage! The point spreads have been record breaking  with the home team winning by a large amount. Good for the home teams I think and here is why. When you are at home you have the upper hand. Not only did you now have to travel but you get play on the court you have played on all year. You know where the slick spots are on the floor and you know about the lighting. There are no court surprises.  You have the fans on your side too!  The yelling and being rude goes to the other team not you. Winning at home also keeps fans. No one wants to come watch a team lose. Winning at home is a must have. You have to dig deep and make it happen. Show heart and win at home! 

Work hard. Play hard. 

Tip Tuesday #11

Supporting each other. Stop! Think back to something that was important to you and someone who you thought a lot about showed up. It could be a game, play, spelling bee, or event you had but regardless someone (not your normal people) showed up. That was a great moment. What if we did that more? It might sound crazy to get out of your bubble and think of someone besides yourself.... We are all busy people but I charge you with the duty of making someones day or night. Go watch a game, play, or see that spelling bee. Support someone you normally don't get too. It's nice for everyone. Think of it as paying it forward too!

Work Hard. Work Together.

Carolina Crush Volleyball Club

For more information contact Coach Hannah

#TipTuesday part 10

Tip Tuesday: Hitting Harder

This is the best video I have found on the internet that talks about hitting. Give it a listen and learn how to hit harder!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_Cu3SWVcSo

Play Hard. Play Together!

Monday Monday

Monday is the time we wake up hopeful about the week or dreading the week. I have found in my experience that dreading the week doesn't make it any better. I have found that normally the dread building up to the week or the day in the week can be worse than what I was dreading. Being hopeful is way more fun. It is better for the body too. Stress ages you as well as causes lot's of other heath problems.  Be less stressed and have the heart of the champion this Monday. Go into this week a warrior. You may have training to do or you may have an off week but go hard at it!

Play Hard. Play Together.

#TipTuesday Part 6

#TipTuesday

We all know that the quarterback is the leader for the offense of the football team. We know the goalie is the leader of the defense in soccer. We know that the point guard is the leader of the basketball team offense and sometimes defense. I recently watched a youth chamber music competition at Davidson University. The music was all great! I was impressed with all four groups that performed. What surprised me was how into the music they all were. I watched as almost in a trance watching the four member groups play in perfect sync with each other. I couldn't help but notice that first chair violin was the leader. All the rest of the musicians bowed their head to the first chair and followed what he or she did. There was a clear leader.

Leaders. In volleyball it should be the setter and libero. The setter is first chair violin player. He or she runs the whole offense and the rest of the team should be watching for their commands. The libero comes in to leadership when the setter takes first ball or the defense is out of sorts. Learn who your leader is. If it is you then step and be a great leader. If you aren't the leader then find out who is.

Work hard. Work together.


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Coming to a close

Talking more about rest today and the focus on emotional rest. Long hard seasons that seem to never end can take a toll on the coaches and athletes emotionally. Coaches end up being frustrated and feel useless. Athletes don't want to be there and are struggling with their own beat up ego. It is a hard place to be in. Here are a few things to think about and put into play during the hard seasons.

Tip #1: Wins and losses aren't going to define you as a person. In fact, most college coaches say they don't recruit based on wins and losses but rather how the athlete plays in each game. Coaches are going to look and see the cards you are playing verses what you are up again.

Tip #2: Take 5-10 minutes to drink a glass of water  alone. During this time allow your brain to rest from the drama and stress. Think about that water and get your mind focused on what you can change.

    You can't change your coach, the teammates you play, the times you play, and your teammates.

Tip #3: Let it go.  Normally, hard seasons result in parent and player drama... YES, parents you are normally the worst to stir up drama on a team. As a player or coach, just let it go. You can't change players who refuse to listen. You can't change how your team plays during the game. You have to let that go.... You have to play your best and not worry about the others. Stay out of the drama because some people won't let things die down.

Tip #4:  Give it to God. The old saying that goes "Let go. Let God."  is great to remember. Give your hurt, frustration, and pain to God. In fact, go vent to God. Let it all out and not pick it up again.

Tip #5: It't not your fault and it is your fault. Sounds conflicting I know. You aren't the whole team. You can't lose the whole game. If you had a bad attitude and if you stopped caring then yes... it is your fault! Forgive yourself and promise to do better and be a better teammate. Forgive those teammates and coaches you felt let you down.

Rest is important and dealing with a hard season is the worst. You aren't defined by this. I encourage you rest and get your mind right!