It's hard for these athletes to stay healthy. They are constantly being bombarded with unhealthy advertising. Peer pressure can override the body's demand for health. Being healthy goes beyond 'not being sick' (where all lab reports indicate health), to feeling optimistic, energetic, strong and happy with their bodies. Teaching them to take charge of their bodies is a job of coaching. Help them gain discipline in conditioning, nutrition and attitude/emotional control.

You must allow your players to become the athletes they can be. Don't make them into anything just to become the kind of winners fans, friends and others think they must be.

No jockey ever won a race by carrying the horse across the finish line; no coach ever won a volleyball match by touching the ball during play.

Study hard, practice hard, play ferociously.

There are two basic situations in volleyball - either you got the ball or you don't.

The wise coach takes all the heat when his players lose, and gives them all the credit when they win.

It is ok to err, but it is not ok to stop playing; it is ok to lose, but it is not ok to give up.