During the Great Lakes Regional Championship semifinals, our team was on the brink of defeat when our libero made an impossible-looking dig against a fierce spike. The ball seemed to hit the floor, but in a split second, she dove and somehow popped it up just enough for our setter to play. The crowd erupted, and I felt the energy on our side of the court surge. That single play not only saved the point but also a comeback that led us to victory.
It was a moment that forever changed how I viewed volleyball defense and ignited my passion for perfecting the dig. As with other skills required, from that day on, I spent countless hours practicing and studying the art of digging, determined to make those game-changing plays myself.
In this article, we’ll explore the art of the dig – that thrilling defensive move that keeps rallies alive and crowds on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, we’ll cover everything from the basics to advanced techniques. Get ready to uncover the secrets behind this game-changing skill and learn how to elevate your defensive game!
Dig in Volleyball- Explained
A dig happens when a player successfully receives and controls an opponent’s spike or powerful hit. The digger’s primary goal is to stop the ball from touching the ground. This involves using forearm passes or dramatic moves like dives to keep the play alive.
Anyone can learn to dig, and you should too. Here’s why: with successful digging, you can save a potential point for the team and set up an opportunity for your teammates to counterattack. This skill requires quick reflexes, precise positioning, and the ability to predict where the ball will land.
Volleyball Digs: Fundamental Skills and Techniques
Understanding the basics of volleyball digs is crucial for developing strong defensive skills. Here are the fundamental techniques you need to master:
Proper Positioning and Quick Reflexes
Good digging starts with being in the right place at the right time. Stay low and steady in a crouch for balance, allowing you to spring into action instantly. The digger must watch the hitter like a hawk and adjust where to stand based on their moves.
Think of yourself as a ninja on the court – the digger needs to be lightning-fast and should snag the ball before it hits the floor. Your next move is to focus on an offense strategy for the team. Mastering how to pass it—whether with the forearms or overhead—ensures the team’s setter can set up a killer attack.
Here’s a little inside tip: to master the dig, read the player first. Reading the hitter’s body language, such as their shoulder and arm positioning and line of sight, helps you easily predict where to send that ball flying.
Putting up a Solid Platform
A digger has to picture their arms like a solid brick wall. When the digger creates a flat, sturdy platform with their arms, it helps control where that ball goes next.
Position your arms at awkward angles, if necessary, but ensure your elbows remain straight, hands together, and avoid swinging. When the ball is to your side, bring your opposite arm across to meet it instead of swinging both arms together.
Communication and Teamwork
From my experience, I can confidently say it is not a solo sport. Success hinges on teamwork and communication.
Volleyball thrives on synergy. Every player’s movement impacts the team’s overall performance. And here’s where communication comes in. Inform teammates when you’re diving for a dig to avoid confusion and ensure seamless coordination.
Picture this: the ball is spiked towards your side, and without a word, you dive to save it. If your teammates are unaware, they might misjudge your move, leading to a missed opportunity.
Practice and Persistence
Drill, drill, and DRILL! Like anything worth mastering, digging takes practice. Keep drilling those moves—positioning, reflexes, all of it. The more you practice, the sharper you get, and the more you contribute to your team’s defensive powerhouse.
Top 5 Types of Digs in Volleyball
Mastering multiple digs can transform your defense. Check out the top five digs you need to learn:
- Traditional Dig (Forearm Dig)
To perform a traditional dig, approach the ball early and position hips and forearms underneath it. For better control, the player aims to dig the ball between the knees and shoulders.
This makes it easier to pass the ball to teammates afterwards. Watch the opponent closely to anticipate fastballs and position yourself correctly.
- Dive
Sometimes, players struggle to reach the ball on their feet, prompting them to dive. Diving allows for quicker retrieval and successful volleyball digs.
To prepare for a dive, a player extends their body forward with bent knees and stays low to the ground. They keep the arms parallel to the floor and chin up to minimize injury risk and maintain control during the dive.
- Overhand Dig
There are times when the ball comes over the head. In such situations, a digger should use an overhand dig.
The player contacts the ball with fingers for better control and to avoid injury. It is crucial to attack the ball rather than letting it hit you. This technique helps direct the ball properly to a setter, who can set it for a hitter to attack.
- Pancake
A pancake dig involves using the back of the hand to keep the ball from touching the floor. This counts as one of the team’s three allowed contacts and keeps the play alive.
- Flipper
The flipper uses the back of the hand to hit the ball, usually while staying on the feet or running through the ball. This technique is also used when diving for a ball.
7 Drills to Master Dig in Volleyball
Sharpen your digging technique with these seven crucial drills:
- Belly-to-Dig Drill
This drill focuses on improving technique and movement, essential for effective digging. Players are set up in a triangle formation, with one player lying on the ground facing two standing players about 6 meters apart.
The drill begins with a slap of the ball by one standing player, prompting the player on the ground to quickly get up, shuffle the ball back, and then prepare to dig an attack from the standing player. This drill improves reaction time, agility, and transition from a prone to an active defensive position.
- Team-on-3-Digging Drill
The team-on-3-digging drill is a fantastic way to boost your defensive skills after a serve.
One server challenges three defensive players with unpredictable serves. The aim for the defenders is to dig the ball effectively and keep the rally alive. This drill not only helps you handle powerful serves but also improves your control and precision when receiving serves and attacks.
It’s an excellent drill for building coordination, communication, and quick reflexes, all of which are crucial for a strong defense in volleyball. Plus, it keeps you and your teammates on your toes, ready to react swiftly to any serve that comes your way.
- Wall Digging Drill
For those who want to practice alone, the wall-digging drill is for you. It is a straightforward solo drill that improves reflexes and ball control.
Players toss the ball against a wall and practice digging it as it rebounds. They can vary the speed, angle, and height of their tosses and hits to challenge themselves.
By adjusting the power and angle of their hits, players can simulate different game situations and progressively improve their ability to handle fast-paced attacks.
- Digging to Catch (Great Beginner Drill)
Here is the best dig drill for beginners in volleyball. This drill focuses on accuracy and consistency in digging.
To start, you aim to dig the ball into designated target boxes on the floor, earning points based on where your dig lands. This drill helps you develop your digging skills while emphasizing precision and control under pressure. By consistently practicing this drill, you’ll enhance your ability to accurately direct the ball, improving your overall defensive performance.
- The Endless Dig
This drill is all about boosting your team’s defensive coordination and communication. Defenders practice digging attacks from hitters and then pass the ball to a setter. It keeps everyone on their toes, ready to adapt to various hitting techniques.
By focusing on continuous play and teamwork, this drill helps defenders develop strategies for handling different offensive plays effectively. It’s not just about the dig but also about working seamlessly with your teammates to keep the ball in play and stay ahead of the game.
- Dig, Tip, Chase
The ‘dig, tip, and chase’ drill is a fun way to boost your agility and decision-making on the court. Here’s how it works.
You start by digging a standard hit. Then, you need to quickly react to a tipped ball from the hitter. Finally, you chase down and return a mishit. This drill keeps you on your toes, challenging you to adapt to different shots in real-time. It’s a great way to sharpen your defensive skills and get comfortable handling unpredictable scenarios, just like in a real game.
- Rapid Fire Digging
The ‘Rapid Fire Digging’ drill is all about speed and reflexes. You line up and get ready for a barrage of hits coming your way. The goal is to dig each hit quickly and accurately, without letting the ball hit the ground.
This drill keeps you moving non-stop and tests your ability to react swiftly under pressure. It’s perfect for building up your defensive speed and honing those quick reflexes, making you ready for anything during a real match.
Wrapping Up
Mastering the dig is a game-changer for any volleyball player. It’s more than just blocking the ball; it’s about positioning yourself right, reacting quickly, and working seamlessly with your teammates.
From my own experience, I can tell you that regular practice and a focus on these skills can really turn the tide in any match. Think of every dig as a chance to keep the play going and set up your team for an awesome attack.
So, keep at it, stay sharp, and most importantly, have fun!
FAQs
In volleyball, a dig happens when a player receives an attacked ball from the opponent team. The player keeps the ball in play, even if blockers touch it before the defense.
A dig error occurs when an attacked ball hits the ground within a player’s area or when a player passes an attacked ball that they cannot control or return to the opposing team effectively. This results in losing the point to the opposition.
In volleyball, receiving involves any controlled contact with the ball from an opponent’s serve or attack. A dig refers to defensively passing a hard-driven ball to keep it in play. While both involve passing, a dig focuses on defense and maintaining the rally, whereas a receive is any form of controlled contact to initiate play.
The libero is usually the top digger on a volleyball team, thanks to their low center of gravity, which aids in retrieving harsh digs without losing balance. Other back-row defensive players may also excel in digging. Nevertheless, all team members benefit from regular digging practice and should master it for the whole team’s success.
You can improve your reaction time with drills like rapid-fire digging and reaction-based games to train your body to respond faster. Mental preparation and studying opponents’ strategies help you play better. Regular practice and staying fit are also crucial for improving reaction time in volleyball.