Hard work: In my opinion hard work is number one on the list. Hard work is NOT just showing up to practice for two hours and being satisfied with getting through it. Hard work is showing up to practice a half hour early to work on stuff you’re not satisfied with. Then while in practice trying to be the best in every single drill and striving to be perfect at every single skill. Hard work is running sprints at the park or beach on your day off to become faster than your teammates and opponents who aren’t putting in the extra work. Hard work is hitting that wall, being completely exhausted, and finding your fourth/fifth wind to accomplish the goals in a drill. It’s being determined to work the hardest in the weight room, run the mile the fastest, and jump the highest. It’s doing whatever it takes to be the best and once you’re the best, doing whatever it takes to become perfect.
Focus and mental strength: This is just like physical skill, it takes practice and discipline. It’s the difference between going through the motions in drills and really making sure you’re doing skills right in order to ingrain them into your movement pattern so that once in competition you don’t have to think about it, you just do it. Becoming a focused athlete means leaving everything outside the gym besides what you’re there to do. Have a ridiculous amount of homework or work? It’s not going to get done while you’re at practice so you might as well not think about it while you’re in the gym. Leave it be while at practice or competition and stay focused on the present. The mental part of sports is just as important as the physical part, so it cannot be neglected (especially in volleyball)!
Sacrifice: You have to make succeeding a priority. Sacrifice is not easy, and I feel like it’s lost its meaning to some people.
Opportunities: Say yes to them! I can remember saying no to one particularly big opportunity in my life because I was scared of failing. Confidence is built by pushing your comfort levels (saying yes to an opportunity), doing something that scares you and conquering it. I used to hate practicing with people who were better than me because I’d get hammered (and even embarrassed in some situations), but that’s when I improved the most! Now I take the opportunity to practice with anyone who I think will give me a challenge even if there’s a good chance I’m going to lose and get frustrated and probably hate it while it’s happening.
