Last Updated: October 27, 2023
Your team’s defense will determine if you will succeed in volleyball or fail. Defenders are tasked to prevent the opponent team from scoring in whichever way they can.
If you intend to be a good defense player, aim at mastering digging and diving to keep the ball in play. If used effectively, diving and digging skills give your team a chance to score.
This article breaks down the various digging and diving drills you can use to boost defense.
You can practice some alone, while others need you to work with a partner or more than two players. Nevertheless, you should stay focused and perfect one drill before trying another.
Expert Volleyball Digging Drills
Use these drills to enhance your digging performance.
1. Wall Digging Drill
This is the most straightforward drill because you don’t need a partner or fellow players. It’s just you, the ball and a wall. Stand some distance from the wall and throw the ball toward the wall. The ball should bounce off and get back to you. Your job here is to dig the ball.
If you are a beginner, throw the ball with little force and slowly advance by throwing it harder. Try to perform the different types of digging in your workout routine (like the overhand and underhand digs). You can adjust by throwing the ball from a low to a higher height to make digging more challenging.
2. Team-on-3 Digging Drill
This drill helps players to learn how to respond to serves. There are 4 volleyball players: 1 server on the offensive and 3 diggers on the defensive side. The ball is served spontaneously, making it hard for the diggers to predict its target direction. Only one of the defensive players will dig the ball.
The drill not only helps defenders to improve their digging skills but also helps the server to master the serving technique. Diggers learn to position their body, make proper movements, and dig the ball effectively.
Moreover, this drill makes you mentally alert on the court by judging where the ball is going.
3. Passing Drill
Digging is a defensive move meant to take the ball from the attacker off the ground. But before you learn the skill, you should first know how to pass a ball. A passing drill can involve two or more players. For two partners, stand some distance from each other, with one tossing while the other passes the ball.
The drill focuses on improving your passing skill by experiencing the movements, energy, and power needed to deliver a successful pass. Each player can toss or pass the ball up to about 10 times then you switch positions. The person doing the tossing can start slower and then go faster for increased alertness on the passer.
4. Double-Decker
This drill requires players on both sides of the court. A defensive player takes the base position but quickly adjusts to a ready position upon the coach’s signal. The coach tosses the ball to the defender, who tries to dig and deflect the ball to a specific target. The other players acting as the target should execute a quality pass to help them deliver a cross-court attack.
Recommended read: Assessing Your Team’s Digging and Diving Proficiency
5. Knockout Digging Drill
For this drill, a player should send the ball to a setter. There are 3 players involved: the setter, who sets the ball in their possession to the attacker, who then makes a hit. The player’s job is to try everything possible to keep the ball off the ground by making a successful dig.
This drill can be made more complicated by introducing a target area for the digger to direct the ball to. The players can interchange the positions or add more players to dig the ball to keep this fun drill competitive and lively.
Best Volleyball Diving Drills
6. Side/Roll Dive Drill
A player extends more to one side while extending their arm along the ground to reach and pass the ball. Therefore, you should roll and lie on your back when passing the ball. The player can perform a rolling follow-up by rolling around their arm to get back on their feet through a smooth motion.
7. Pancake Dive Drill
The player moves down and flattens their hand to a spot on the ground with which the ball will make contact. From a person out of the court’s view, the player seems to be making a pancake. However, to the player, they are aiming at gaining an advantage over the ball. This drill requires more practice as it can be challenging for some players to achieve consistency.
8. Swan Dive Drill
This is a defense technique that a player can use to keep the ball going in challenging situations. The defense player dives forward but down, then cups the ball with their arms so it doesn’t hit the ground. This keeps their team in play and allows them to make an attack.
9. Hand Position Drill
To be successful in diving, you should perfectly position your hands to avoid injuries. You can start practicing on a mattress and later transition to a bare floor. First, warm up by bouncing the ball with your wrist severally. Next, throw or toss the ball up, then dive to save it. Small throws are better than higher ones as they prompt you to reach quickly.
10. Jump and Dive Drill
This is the best drill to build your explosive power. First squat, then jump up to your highest with full force. Push forward as you get down and start your dive. Use a mattress to prevent injuries. This drill aims at stimulating your body for successful dives. Perform this drill repeatedly until you can jump high and dive confidently.
Also read: Your Journey to Becoming a Digging and Diving Maestro
Conclusion
Proficiency in digging can’t be achieved without mistakes along the way and a lot of practice.
During a volleyball competition season, play with your fellow players in actual digging situations outlined above under your coach’s guidance. The team play drills will test and help you elevate your prowess in volleyball this year.
But if you are a player who likes sharpening their skills, no matter whether it’s on/off season, practice the digging and diving techniques at least 3 times a week from the comfort of your home.
Solid digging and diving can have a big impact on the match as such skills always give your team a chance to win.