Digging
Home Blocking Total Body Defense Pancake 360 Defense Digging Responsibilities

Table Of Contents

 

 

 Overview

Good digging consists of four components: positioning, desire, skill, and quickness . . . in that order. Too many players convince themselves early in their volleyball careers that they aren't quick enough to play good back-row defense. Nonsense. Quickness has surprisingly little to do with digging ability. If you know where you're supposed to be and get there early, you've got most of the battle won. And if you combine good court positioning with desire and sound technique, you will quickly become an excellent defensive player.

Individual defensive mechanics

While the ball is in your opponent's court, you must be in your starting defensive body position. You should be bouncing up and down on your toes, with your hips lower than when you're preparing to pass a serve. You should be prepared to run in any direction, in case the ball happens to come over the net on your opponents' first or second hit.

After your opponent has set the ball, move quickly to the appropriate court position (see "Team Defense" for court responsibilities). Spread your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, with your feet and body angled toward the center of your own court. With your weight on the balls of your feet, drop your butt until your thighs are nearly parallel to the ground, and bring your shoulders forward. Your arms should be a bit more than shoulder-width apart, out in front of you, with your elbows slightly bent and your hands slightly closed.

Watch the hitter's approach and jump; these actions reveal the shots available. As the hitter jumps and starts to swing -- that is, before s/he actually hits the ball -- make a quick, short move forward. This "preparation" step or "pre-hop," as some coaches call it, prepares you to react in any direction. As the hitter starts to swing, look at his/her arm, not at the set. Your eyes will pick up the ball as it comes off the hitter's hand. If you watch the set too long, you will lose sight of the ball as the hitter makes contact.

As the ball flies toward you, you must do two things: 1) keep your eyes on the ball and try to "freeze frame" it about three or four feet from you; and 2) if the ball is to your left or right, push your hips and arms into its path. Do not make a concerted effort to sweep your arms backward and "cushion" the hit; this action creates unnecessary motion and increases your chance for error. Instead, keep your arms relaxed and allow the force of the ball to collapse your elbows into your body. This collapsing motion will keep most digs on your side of the net. As soon as you dig the ball, sprint to your offensive position and prepare to cover your hitter.

Emergency plays

Unfortunately, the opponent will not always hit the ball right into your lap. When a play threatens to get out of control, don't try to do anything perfect with the ball; stay cool, communicate with your teammates, and calmly pass the ball high into the air. Although this brief document cannot describe every possible technique for every possible situation, there are three basic emergency moves you should know:

Extensions--When a ball is falling in front of you or to your side and you can't play it by staying on your feet, you need to be able to "extend" your body to the ball and get it up without injuring yourself. To do a proper extension, take a long low step in the direction you need to go, play the ball with both arms, then collapse to the floor without touching your knees or elbows. If your momentum causes you to roll, that's fine; if it doesn't, that's fine too. Just make sure you get up as quickly as possible and prepare to play immediately. **The key to safe extensions is "go down and then extend," not "extend and then go down." And try to contact with the floor primarily with large, meaty surfaces (hands, sides, hips and thighs), as opposed to small, pointy surfaces (elbows and knees).

Net recoveries--Periodically, your team will pass or dig a ball into the net. When this happens, get to the net quickly and squat all the way to the floor with your shoulders perpendicular to the net (so that your body is open to the net and to your own court). Wait for the ball to rebound off the net and play it with both arms about one foot above the floor. If you try a net recovery any higher than that you will not have time to control the ball.

Run-throughs--If you have to run down a ball that's out to your side, make sure you raise your outside shoulder before making contact (just like when you're passing a serve that's out to your side). If you have to run down a ball that's in front of you, curl your arms in a "J" as you make contact; that will compensate for your body's momentum and keep the ball on your side of the net.


Hints for good digging

1. Expect every ball to come to you. Want every ball to come to you.

2. Be prepared for the ball to come over the net at any time.

3. Know your defensive responsibility for each attack. Get to your position quickly after the opponent sets the ball.

4. Watch the hitter's approach and armswing.

5. Take a pre-hop just before the hitter contacts the ball. React to every ball.

6. Watch the ball into your arms.

7. Never give up on any ball.

 

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