At my best, I was only an average player. I never played in high school or college, and finally picked up the game like many people do - backyard barbeques and picnics. I began playing in the local YMCA co-ed leagues and that led to competing in organized tournaments. I quickly came to realize that there are a number of different types of player's out there.
There are those who only play to be social and can barely spell the word competition. Others think they're good and try to win the pre-match bounce contest, but don't perform in the game or they lack the attitude (fire) to be successful. A third group is composed of the real players - the complete package. They have the skills, the athletic ability and the mind for the game. These as are the folks that make you go "uh-oh" after watching them warm up for only a minute. I fall into another group - the player with a decent game that tries hard. Once and a while we'll get lucky and beat the top teams, but we'll always go down swinging hard. I don't have a 40" vertical or the "touch" that defines a good setter, but I played my heart out and tried to make the most of what I was good at. I think it was that drive and determination that separated me from other players, that and the fact that I liked to have fun.
I've learned that volleyball is a team sport. You can surround a superstar with five individual players and achieve success, but put six players that really know how to play together against that same team, and the superstar is likely to come out a loser. Six good players coming together as part of a pick-up group have an advantage due to their skills, experience, and game knowledge, but they're still missing that cohesiveness you see in a team that's played together before.
I've learned that repetition is a key to improving. If I want to become a better passer, I need to practice passing a lot of balls. Along with repetition you need good mechanics - train your muscles to perform correctly. It is very hard to break bad habits that you've been playing with for a while. When it comes to skills, I strongly believe in having a solid all-around skill foundation. I don't want to be that player that can only hit the quick and tanks when in the back row.
Learn the game and develop an instinctive feel for what to do with the ball. Watch other players, learn their tendencies, and use it to your advantage - play SMART! Players often get hung up on "am I in the right spot for a quick attack" or some specific situation. That's a reactive mindset. Instead, I believe you need to think and be proactive. In my personal experience I developed my "court sense" from playing 2-man beach volleyball. There's no better place to learn how to cover the court, communicate, and anticipate your opponent - not to mention the conditioning you receive.
Attitude rules! Do you still want the ball after being roofed two times in a row? When the score is 23-24, are you the player who wants to receive the serve? Do you get frustrated at your teammates and sulk, or at the end of the match do you hang your head? When I play I want to be a ball hog - I want to touch the ball two out of three contacts. I want to jump serve for game point, and I'm looking for a sixpack off a sweet set. You attitude affects not only how you play, but your teammates as well. Be a positive factor on the court and remember - it's only a game.