Coaches often copy what other coaches do, and that means many high school and club coaches look at what Division I college teams are doing – or even the national team – and try to apply it to their own teams. That’s not always a good idea.

High level DI teams and especially the various national teams have the depth and talent to do a number of things high school and club teams can’t. My advice: Coach to your level, and create systems that suit your players. As my college coach Jim Coleman said, “Don’t try tactically what you can’t do technically.”

One example of using your top players wisely: Have your best three servers serve No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Serving is clearly one of the most important weapons you have in high school and club, so don’t limit your chances by burying your top servers deep in your rotation.