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Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills

A volleyball dive or roll doesn't help you dig a ball but it helps you protect your body and land safely on the ground AFTER keeping a ball off the floor.

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills: A volleyball dive or roll doesn't help you physically dig a ball but it helps you protect your body and land safely on the ground AFTER keeping a ball off the floor. (R. Aversen [photo)

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Learn how to dive in volleyball because it will help you

protect your body and
land safely on the ground

AFTER you've chased down a ball that's been

hit into or around your court and
you've deflected it into the air to keep it off the floor.

Players (Jacob and Amber) in my Boot Camp Class work on their volleyball dive technique as they start left back in the court and wait to see the hitter tip the ball to the middle of the court before taking three steps towards the ball and lifting both feet off the ground while one hand plays the ball and the other hand (or both hands) are used to lower their body to the ground so they control their body as they land without crashing to the floor.

Volleyball Dive and Roll: We practice the barrel roll form in every boot camp class so its easy for diggers and players to get used to hitting the ground. (Al Case)

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills: We practice the barrel roll form in every boot camp class so its easy for diggers and players to get used to hitting the ground. (Al Case)

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills
How Does A Barrel Roll Help You Dig in Volleyball

The Volleyball Dive and Roll Using The Three Step Barrel Roll Technique

This will require a back court digger to learn how to do a barrel roll technique.

How does a barrel roll help you dig in volleyball?

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills

How much court can you cover in defense?

Watch as Carm takes 3 big fast steps and stays low….and ends up inside the ten foot line…ready to dig any tip ….

The barrel roll does not help you actually dig a volleyball but it helps you

protect your body and
finish landing on the ground in a safe and protected manner

AFTER you've run to dig a ball to keep it off the floor.

I believe you can cover half a court in three large fast steps.

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills
How Do You Do A Barrel Roll in Volleyball Step by Step?

With a ball that's falling to the right side of your body

You take 3 steps towards the ball
stepping first with your right foot-then-left foot-then right foot

With each step you

lower yourself closer to the ground until
on your third step which is your right foot which should get you within your body length to the falling ball
you extend your full body to the ground cushioning your fall by placing your left hand down on the ground in front of you while lowering yourself to your side
making contact with the ground by landing on your outer thigh, hip, side of your torso while
outstretching your arm with the closed fist of your right hand that's placed under the ball 2-3 inches before it hits the ground

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills

Working on ⁠

left hand playing the ball and right hand playing the ball⁠
getting lower to the ground with each of the 3 steps taken⁠
covering the court in 3 big steps⁠

⁠
Great job you guys!⁠

You flick your wrist up so the ball comes up 5 - 6 inches, high enough for someone close to you get it up higher.

Using your left hand that's on the ground and the forward momentum you have from moving and running forward to the ball.. you push yourself over so your body completes a full 360 degree turn while on the ground
When you finish on your stomach you gather both feet under your body and with hands underneath your shoulders you push yourself up to a standing position.

For a ball that's falling to the left side of your body...do the opposite.

We practice the barrel roll form and digging technique in every boot camp class we teach so its easy for diggers and players to get used to hitting the ground.

An all out, "I'm never going to let this ball hit our court floor" attitude that inspires players to go all out to recover balls in defense no matter where they've been hit on the court.

Defense is an attitude!
Watch Japan dig after dig, amazing volleyball defense!

Common Mistakes Beginner Players Make While Diving in Volleyball

While diving and executing a barrel roll in volleyball are fundamental techniques to learn, beginners often make some common mistakes.

Let's look at what these are and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1:

Not Lowering Your Body Enough - Some beginners start the three-step barrel roll process too high, leading to an uncontrolled fall and potential injuries.

To avoid this, ensure with each step, you're lowering your body closer to the ground, preparing for a controlled dive.

Mistake #2:

Incorrect Arm Placement - Another common mistake is placing both arms out when diving.

It's crucial to remember that only the hand of the arm opposite to the direction of the ball should be placed under the ball to play it upward. The other arm should be used to cushion your fall.

Mistake #3:

Fear of Hitting the Ground - The fear of hitting the ground is another barrier that often hampers beginners.

Understand this is part of the game and practice the proper landing technique.

With enough repetitions, you'll become accustomed to hitting the floor with control and safely, mitigating risks of injuries.

Mistake #4:

Failing to Complete the Roll - For the barrel roll technique, some players avoid or mistakenly do not complete the full roll due to fear or awkwardness.

Remember, rolling reduces the impact of the fall, protecting your body, and allowing a quick recovery to continue play.

Avoiding these common mistakes doesn't just improve your diving skills.

It also enhances your ability to contribute defensively and increases your safety on the court.

It's a testament to practice's power – through repetition and mindful training, you'll quickly adopt correct techniques and see immediate improvements in your game.

Learn How To Dive In Volleyball
Conclusion

In summary, knowing how to dive and execute a barrel roll in volleyball are essential skills for any player aiming to improve their defensive game. Perfecting these movements not only allows you to save critical points during a match but also ensures you protect your body from injury.

Learning to dive effectively involves understanding when and how to execute the move, arriving at the right spot, and positioning your body for a controlled landing. Correctly performing a barrel roll requires the coordination of speed, step technique, and timely response.

However, mastery of these methods doesn't come overnight. That's why consistent, mindful practice is key. Be aware of the common mistakes often made during practice, keep refining your technique, and don't be afraid of the ground. With plenty of practice, you'll soon be making those spectacular diving saves in real game situations.

Remember, it's not just about making that one great dive or sprawl.

It's about integrating these techniques into your overall game play to become a more effective and versatile player.

So, lace up your sneakers and hit the court, because every dive you take makes you a stronger player for your next match.

You've got this!

Frequently Asked Questions about Diving in Volleyball

Question: 1. What's the purpose of a dive in volleyball?

Answer: The dive in volleyball is used as a defensive technique to keep the ball in play when it's difficult to reach, ensuring it doesn't hit your team's court floor. It also helps players land safely and protect their bodies from injury.

Question: What is a barrel roll in volleyball?

Answer: The barrel roll doesn't help you dig a volleyball but it's a technique used to land safely on the ground and protect your body after a diving save or dig. It requires the digger to make a full 360-degree turn while on the ground.

Question: How can I overcome my fear of hitting the ground while diving?

Answer: How do I effectively perform a three-step barrel roll?**
Starting with your right foot, take three steps towards the falling ball, lowering yourself closer to the ground with each step. On the third step, extend your body to the ground and land gently on your side, using your left hand to cushion the fall. Make sure to complete a full 360-degree turn while on the ground and then quickly get back on your feet.

Question: Can I self-train for diving in volleyball?

Answer: While it's possible to practice the motions and workout independently, it's always advisable to train these techniques under the supervision of trained coaches. They can provide accurate feedback and directions to perform these movements safely and correctly.

Question: Can any player perform a dive in volleyball?

Answer: Yes, while liberos and defensive specialists often perform these moves due to their backcourt roles, any player can and may need to dive during a game. It's a valuable skill for all players to learn and practice.

Question: How long will it take to master the dive?

Answer: The learning curve can differ from player to player, depending on factors like athletic ability, comfort level on the court, and amount of practice.

However, with consistent training and proper technique, most players can see improvement in a few weeks.

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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.

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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.

How To Dive in Volleyball :
Where To Go From Here

Alright, alright, alright! Time to study something something. You still have those three options:

Let's learn more about defense, digging and how to defend your court by exploring the Related Links below.
Or you can choose the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started.

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Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.

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Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee, Coach April Chapple is

the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
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former USA National team member
one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist

April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match

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Serving slang is not just about individual techniques; it also relates to overall game strategy. A coach might instruct a player to serve a "short serve" or a "deep serve" to target specific areas of the opponent's court or exploit weaknesses in their serve receive formation.

Ari, my private training client and I are working specifically on serving on jump float cross court serves ...short to Zone 2

There's so much we work on to get to this point where she can contact the ball with

the same toss height and same toss location
the same armswing speed
the same timing for when her serving hand contacts the ball
the middle of the hand contacting the middle of the ball every single time
getting use to watching her serving hand contact the ball at the highest point of her jump ...before she starts to land
and finally contacting the ball in the precise spot on the ball so it goes where the coach wants the player to put it so in this case ..a short serve in the farthest short right corner on the court also called Zone 2.

kamiminerpac12setteroftheyearformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

Tommi Stockham All Big West Conference sophomore former Coach April Chapple private client 3 years

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Dear Vegas Parent

Read my open letter to Las Vegas Jr high/high school volleyball parents about my predictions on individual and small group volleyball training trends for 2019/2021

Tennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements

From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

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Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

A-1 Vegas Volley VBC

In It To Win It Tournament

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

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Making A-1 Vegas Volleyball history as the very first TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In the In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament, A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division