Volleyball Dig

  • January 31, 2018

Volleyball dig is a key element of defence in the sport of volleyball. If done right, volleyball dig can also become the beginning of a successful volleyball attack. When digging the ball correctly you make it easy for a volleyball attacker to carry out a successful hit.

So, the job of a volleyball digger is to resist the opposing team’s attack and then help his/her teammates carry out a successful attack hit. In other words, a digger has to deliver a ball to the right place on the volleyball court.

In this blog, we’ll explain to you what it takes to be a good volleyball digger. First of all, we’ll tell you how to dig a spike in the right way. Then, we’ll talk about different types of volleyball digs. Also, we’ll provide you with some of the best volleyball digging drills and give you volleyball digging tips. Practise volleyball digging drills on a regular basis and success will not keep you waiting for a long time!

Volleyball Dig Technique

Oftentimes, a digger has to dig hard driven balls. You’ll hardly be able to handle a hard driven ball without proper preparation. So, if you would like to achieve success in volleyball digging then you obviously need to learn the effective volleyball dig technique. Now, let’s try to figure out how to dig a ball the right way.

Getting ready for a volleyball dig. It’s crucial for a volleyball player to get ready for a volleyball dig correctly. First and foremost, you need to take the proper starting position. Make sure that you are stable and well-balanced on the volleyball court. When preparing for a volleyball dig you need to be close to the ground. Keep your knees bent, keep your shoulders square over the knees and have your feet more than shoulder-width apart. You should keep your arms in front of your body and also bend them. It’s also important for a digger to stay relaxed. It would be better for you to put your weight on your toes. This will help you approach to the ball quickly. Finally, you’ll be able to do a volleyball dig in the best possible way.

Gaining momentum for a volleyball dig. As a digger you should watch the game carefully all the time. You should watch the opposing team’s setter and hitter carefully. And of course, you need to pay a close attention to the shoulders of the opposing team’s hitter. Plus, a digger should be able to predict where the ball is likely to be landed on the court. That means that you need to learn how to read the opposing team’s attackers to dig a ball successfully. It’s clear that the opposing team’s attacker will do everything he/she can to find the holes in your team’s blocking. Doing a volleyball dig. A digger should aim to use both hands to dig a ball. Obviously, you’ll find it easy to control a ball with two hands. That means that a volleyball player has to do everything possible to put their arms and hands together before a volleyball dig. Don’t try to swing the arms when digging the ball.

Different Types of Volleyball Digs

You should know that there are different types of digs in volleyball. These include: a traditional volleyball dig as well as dive and overhead volleyball dig. We would recommend you to practise each type of volleyball digs. During the game, depending on situation you’ll be able to choose a volleyball dig that’s more to your liking. Below, we’ll describe each type of volleyball digs in detail.

A traditional volleyball dig. Let’s get started with a traditional volleyball dig. When trying to do this type of a volleyball dig you should try your best to approach to a ball early and get your hips as well as forearms under the ball in advance. Your goal is to dig a ball between knees and shoulders. If you manage to do this you’ll certainly find it easy to direct a ball to one of your teammates after doing a volleyball dig. Keep in mind that getting to a fast-approaching ball is no easy task. That’s why you need to watch the opposing team’s attacker closely and position yourself properly ahead time.

A dive. Sometimes, diggers find it hard to approach to the ball on their feet. In this case, it makes a lot of sense for you to take advantage of diving. Obviously, this will help you get to a ball much faster and do a volleyball dig successfully. The question is – how to get ready for a dive? Your body must be extended forward and your knees must be bent. Plus, you need to get low to the ground. In addition, you should try to keep your arms parallel to the floor. It’s also very important for a digger to keep his/her chin up during a dive. By doing so, a volleyball player will be able to reduce the risk of getting injured dramatically.

An overhand volleyball dig. There are also situations when a ball approaches to a volleyball player over his/her head. If this happens, you should definitely try to do an overhand volleyball dig. When doing an overhand volleyball dig you should contact a ball with your fingers. This will give you more control over the ball. Don’t allow a ball to hit you! If a ball hits you, you may get your fingers injured. In order to prevent injuries from happening, diggers are recommended to attack the ball during an overhand volleyball dig. Plus, if you contact a ball with your fingers you’ll probably find it easier to direct it to a setter. After that, a setter will pass a ball to a hitter.

Lastly, an attacker will be able to carry out an attack hit.

Volleyball Digging Drills

Doing the right type of volleyball drills will certainly help you master the art of digging. Below, we’ll share volleyball drills to help you take your digging skills to the next level. So, you should perform these volleyball drills consistently!

Belly-to-Dig Drill

Bell-to-dig drill offers a great way to improve digging movement as well as handling technique. Bell-to-dig drill is also known as a good conditioning exercise. It’s worth noting that this volleyball drill can be done by volleyball players of all skill levels. So, both beginners and experienced diggers can practise bell-to-dig drill. The drill requires 3 volleyball players as well as 2 balls. Initially, athletes have to position themselves in a triangle. The distance between players has to be 6 meters. One of players has to lie on the ground and face 2 other players. The drill begins when one of standing players slaps the ball. Now, the player on the ground has to get up and shuffle the ball over. After that, a standing player has to carry out an attack hit. The job of the receiving player is to dig a ball successfully.

Team-on-3-Digging Drill

Team-on-3-Digging Drill gives volleyball players an opportunity to learn how to dig a ball after serves. On the other hand, the drill allows server to develop their serving skills. This type of a volleyball drill requires at least 4 volleyball players (3 defensive volleyball players and 1 server). The server has to go to one side of a volleyball court and three other players have to go to the other. The job of a server is to serve the ball to the defensive side of the court. One of three players needs to dig the ball and not let it land on the court. A server has to serve the ball in unpredictable direction. By doing this, he/she makes it difficult for diggers to dig the ball and resist an attack.

Wall Digging Drill

Wall digging drill is an easy-to-do volleyball drill. The drill requires 1 volleyball player, wall and ball. All that you need to toss the ball and then swing it. Once the ball bounces from a wall and comes back, your job is to dig it. Later, you can increase the power and speed of your swing. Try to hit the ball lower and harder. By doing this, you’ll be able to make it more difficult for yourself to perform the drill.

Volleyball Digging Tips

Follow our tips to become a better digger:

  • Once a volleyball game begins a digger should try to study the opposing team’s hitters and setters. You job is to figure out what the opposing team’s hitters and setters tend to do.
  • Unexpected things often happen during the game. That means that digger must be alwaysprepared for resisting an attack hit.
  • There is the evidence that mental imagery helps volleyball players master their digging skills. That’s the reason why visualization needs to be a key part of a digger’s training program.

Thank you so much for reading our article. We have just told you everything you need to know about digging in volleyball. Now, it’s time for you to focus on mastering volleyball digging skills. Train hard and train smart to develop your own volleyball digging style! Sooner or later, you’ll be able to become a better volleyball digger. Good luck!

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