Tips for Making an Effective Dig in Volleyball
It’s fair to say that volleyball game is all about attacks and defence. Actually, the primary goal of a volleyball team is to carry out a successful attack hit and land the ball on the opposite side of the court. On the other hand, the job of the opponent team is to resist an attack. After that volleyball players need to organize their own attack.
It’s important to know that defence in volleyball is all about blocking and digging. Blocking is one of the best ways to resist an attack of the opponent volleyball team. However, if your team’s defensive players can’t block the ball or block doesn’t work and a ball goes over the block then your team should definitely take advantage of a dig.
A successful volleyball dig may help you stop an attack of the opponent team. After a successful dig, a setter will be able to set the ball to an attacker. As a result, your team’s attacker will get an opportunity to carry out an attack hit.
In this blog, we’ll explain to you what it takes to be a good volleyball digger. First of all, we’ll tell you about different types of digs in volleyball. After that, we’ll give you some tips for making an effective dig in volleyball. Read on and learn how to make an effective dig that will help you and your team to succeed in the sport of volleyball.
Master Different Types of Digs in Volleyball
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of digs in volleyball. These include traditional dig, overhand dig as well as diving. Each type of volleyball digs has its own unique benefits. That’s the reason why it makes sense for a volleyball player to focus on mastering each type of volleyball digs. Below, we’ll share some insights into how to make traditional dig, overhand dig as well as diving.
– Traditional dig. The correct positioning is particularly important for a traditional dig. So, if you would like to take advantage of a traditional dig then you should be able to predict the game. That means that a digger’s job is to predict where a ball is likely to arrive and take the correct position on the court in advance. As a result, you will be able to get your hips as well as forearms under a ball. This will definitely make it much easier for you to dig a ball towards a teammate and help your team organize a successful attack.
– Overhand dig. Oftentimes, the ball approaches over digger’s head. That’s the reason why you should also maser overhand dig. Keep in mind that if you have to take advantage of overhand dig then you’ll certainly need to contact the ball with your fingers. For this reason, you should always keep your fingers as well as wrists tense. This will definitely help you get more control over the ball. Finally, you’ll be able to dig a ball to a setter who will help your volleyball team to carry out a successful attack hit.
Obviously, it’s hard to dig overhand the ball that’s hit forcefully. So, if you see that a ball is about to hit you forcefully then it’s best for you to carry out an attack hit immediately. By doing this, you’ll be able to prevent any kind of finger injuries from happening. Above all, you’ll be able to avoid a poorly executed dig.
– Diving. Sometimes you may find it hard to predict the game. When this kind of situation happens you’ll not be able to get to the ball on your feet quickly and complete the dig successfully. It’s exactly when diving comes into play.
In fact, diving is not as difficult as it may seem. First of all, you need to bend your knees and get low to the ground. By doing so, you’ll be able to prepare for diving properly. Now, it’s time for you to extend your body and slide on your chest. It’s important for you to keep your arms parallel to the floor as well. You should also keep your chin up when diving. This will help you avoid injuries and dig the ball effectively to the target.
Getting Ready to a Volleyball Dig
The success of a volleyball dig largely depends on how well it’s prepared. In other words, you’ll be able to complete a good dig only if it’s well prepared. Below, we’ll tell you things you need to know on how to get ready for a volleyball dig.
– Prepare your body for a volleyball dig properly. It’s incredibly important for a volleyball player to take the proper body position prior to digging. Have your feet shoulder-width apart and then bend your knees. So, knees have to be over your toes. Concentrate your weight on toes. Relax your shoulders and keep your arms bent in front of a body.
– Position yourself properly on the court. It’s a good idea for a digger to play at the position of a defense player. Watch the game carefully and do your best to predict where the ball is likely to land on the court.
– Watch the opponent’s setter carefully. It’s widely known that a setter plays a huge role in helping a team organize its attacks. That’s why a digger should always watch the opponent team’s setter carefully. Do you see that an opponent team’s setter sets a ball? If so, the opposite team’s hitter is likely to carry out an attack hit very soon.
– Watch the opponent’s hitter carefully. The opposite team’s hitter is a volleyball player who is responsible for carrying out attack hits. Therefore, as a digger you need to watch the opposite team’s hitter carefully all the time and resist an attack successfully when such a need arises.
Of course, you need to play a close attention to hitter’s shoulders. This will help you figure out where the ball is likely to go after an attack hit.
Take a close look at hitter’s arm swing. Have you noticed that hitter’s elbow is dropping? If so, the opponent’s hitter is likely to hit an off speed shot soon.
And of course, you need to analyze hitter’s approach. If you see that the opponent team’s hitter takes a quick aggressive approach then he/she is likely to hit the ball hard. So, you’ll certainly find it difficult to dig the ball. And of course, it’s best for you to dig such a ball with both arms.
Tips to Help Volleyball Players Dig More Effectively
It’s no surprise that following effective volleyball digging strategies may help you a lot. First of all, you need to choose the right moment for digging. On the other hand, you need to know how to dig the ball in the best possible way. Now, we would like to bring you a few training tips to help you get the most out of your volleyball dig.
– Lear how to dig a ball in the right way. Try to predict the game and get closer to the place where the ball is likely to land on your side of the court beforehand. You should definitely try to contact the ball when it’s between your knees in front of your body. So, you’ll get your hips as well as forearms under the ball. In addition, you should do everything possible to bring your arms together and dig the ball with both arms. Following such a hitting strategy you’ll be able to get more control over the ball.
– Do your best to dig to the target. Of course, the number one priority for a volleyball digger is not to allow a ball to land on his/her side of the court. On the other hand, you should try your best to dig the ball to the target and give a setter an opportunity to organize an attack for your team. So, it’s crucial for you to know where one of your teammates is positioned on the court.
– Work on improving your volleyball dig regularly. It’s important to point out that success in volleyball sport doesn’t come overnight. That means that you may need to go a long way before you’ll be able to start making an effective dig in volleyball. That’s why your patience is highly appreciated. You should definitely work on your dig consistently to get effective results.
Thank you so much for reading our article. We have provided you with everything you need to know about what it takes to be a successful digger in volleyball. Follow our training tips and take you digging skills to the next level. Resist more attacks of the opponent team and help your team organize more successful attacks. By doing this, you’ll be able to contribute greatly to your volleyball team! As always, we wish you the best of luck!