Volleyball Digging Drills That Will Help You Keep Balls Off The Floor

We do a lot of progressions for volleyball digging drills in our boot camp classes to cover different scenarios from hard hits to balls you need to chase down.

We do alot of volleyball digging drills in our Boot Camp classes to help improve Vegas players defensive skills in the back row.

We do volleyball digging drills everyday in our Volleyball Voice Boot Camp classes so that liberos, defensive specialists and players who play in the backrow work on improving their digging skills.

If you are the defensive specialist or libero on your team, or a player looking for individual defensive drills, then you need to have great digging technique and accuracy.

If you are the defensive specialist or libero on your team, or a player looking for individual defensive drills, then you need to have great digging technique and accuracy. (Photo Blue Review)

It takes a lot of practice reps to be able to defend a ball back up from the back row to the front row.

That's why we do a lot of volleyball digging drills during our practices  in order to coordinate what happens between the front row blockers and the back row defensive specialists and liberos on a team.

One digger is placed in the middle of the court with myself and one or two of my assistant coaches on the same side of the net as the diggers.

Coaches are in Zone 4 and Zone 2 and sometimes in Zone 3. 

Hitters and diggers half court distance apart.

What are we working on in this drill?

Players are working on reading the ball -getting information from the spiker's arm and at the same time reacting quickly but under control while digging the ball high in a high intensity pressured situation. 

Players are also working on

• hips dropping lower than the oncoming ball
• eyes focusing on spiker's hitting arm for quick second then keying in on the oncoming spiked ball and its travel path,
• keeping platform arms straight with no bent elbows and away from the body...closer to the ball
• making a playable ball 8 -10 feet in the air..
• after the dig working on making a quick quarter turn to face the next coach that's hitting

Practice makes perfect, but only if you’re practicing correctly.

Here are some common errors often made during digging drills, along with useful tips to help you execute these drills more effectively.

**Mistake 1: Incorrect Body Position**

Often players stand too straight or lean backwards with their shoulders behind their knees instead of in front of their knees. This slows you down and makes effective digging nearly impossible.

**Tip**:

Maintain a low, athletic stance. Your feet should be slightly more than shoulder-width apart with your knees bent. Lean slightly forward - this will make it easier to move quickly.

**Mistake 2: Not Keeping Eye on the Ball**

Many players miss the ball because they lose sight of it or they take their eye off the ball for a millisecond.

**Tip**:

Visual tracking is crucial. Keep your eyes on the ball from the moment it's hit until it contacts your platform.

**Mistake 3: Swinging the Arms**

This is a common issue that happens when platformed arms are too close to your body and then you swing them away from the body while contacting the ball.

**Tip**:

When digging, minimize arm movement. Your platform should be formed early, pointing to the target, allowing the ball to rebound off for a controlled pass.

**Mistake 4: Incorrect Platform Formation**

Sometimes players form their platform too late or have a bent elbow, which may result in poor control over the ball.

**Tip**:

Form your platform early with straight arms and locked elbows. Your thumbs should be pointed towards the ground to create a flat surface.

**Mistake 5: Being Static**

A lot of players maintain the same position, hoping the ball will come towards them.

**Tip**:

Stay on your toes and be proactive. Move to the ball rather than waiting for it to come to you. Remember, in volleyball, staying in motion is key.

Remember, improving your digging skills will come with practice and time. So, don't rush yourself. Take the time to work through each drill and technique. With patience, consistency, and correct practice, you will see progress!

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

1. Improve Your Volleyball Playing with Private Volleyball Coach April Chapple
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2. Hit And Dig Volleyball Drills My Players Do To Improve Digging Skills
 ›
3. Volleyball Digging Drills That Will Help You Keep Balls Off The Floor

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