A Step-by-Step Guide (with Images) on How to Dig a Volleyball

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   Research the batter(s) in the opposing team. [1] If you have the opportunity, you should watch the player during the pregame warmups. Observe the way he or she hits spikes, and make note of any tendencies that might give you a split-second advantage in predicting where a spike will go.

   • Always be on the lookout for tells. Does he have a strong preference for spiking to his left? When she fakes a spike, does she make her backswing more dramatic than normal?
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   As you get ready to dig, keep an eye on the hitter's motion. Even deceptive spikers have a tendency to line up their shoulders with the target before swinging. [2] Make an educated guess as to where the ball is going, but don't assume that it has to go there just because it's your guess. (Tilt slightly in that direction but don't completely "sell out" ”)

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   Always keep in mind that the ball will eventually come to you. Prepare yourself to be wrong and act accordingly, even if your read on the hitter indicates that you're safe to proceed. The good misdirection spikers are gambling on the fact that you will relax.

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   Keep a light step when you walk. This is true for volleyball positioning in general, but it is particularly important for digging. Maintain your forward weight distribution on your toes in order to move more quickly. There is a rationale behind the pejorative connotation that is associated with the phrase "on your heels."

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   Get down on the ground and lean forward. Put yourself in a "ready" position that's low, [3] even less than you would normally need to in order to get a serve. It is much simpler to climb higher in order to get a high ball than it is to sink lower in order to get a low one.

   • Maintain a knee bend and bend forward at the waist until your shoulders are beyond your knees. Keeping your knees bent will help you achieve this position. Put some distance between your feet and your shoulders. Keep your arms extended out to the sides of your body.
   • Maintain a balanced weight distribution on your toes so that you can spring forward, to either side, or to either of the sides to get the ball.
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   Position your arms so that they are open and ready to receive When the spike is about to occur, bring your palms together from your hands to your elbows and stretch your arms out in front of you. Lock elbows and bend your knees.

   • By bringing your wrists and elbows together, you are forming a "platform" that the ball will bounce off of. [4] You're not a carpenter; you're a volleyball player; therefore, you shouldn't make it a level platform unless you want the ball to bounce back over your head (or off your forehead). To guide the ball in a forward direction, make sure that your wrists are lower than your elbows.
   • To bring your hands closer together, place your thumbs next to one another, and then cross the fingers of your stronger hand over the fingers that are curled on your weaker hand. This should help bring your hands closer together. [5]
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   Make your way toward the ball. Keep in mind your footwork, and only lunge when it is absolutely necessary. In the event that this is not the case, perform a quick step or shuffle while maintaining your ready position. Maintain a low profile while you relocate.

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   Aim for the mark you've set. When you perform a dig, your objective is not simply to get the ball into the air; rather, you should pass it to a teammate in order to begin an offensive series. [6] You should most likely be directing your shots toward your setter who is located near the goal. While you are receiving the spike, position your body so that it is facing that target as much as possible. Make use of the geometric knowledge you gained in school to ensure that your platform is at the appropriate angle.

   • If it is necessary, aim just a little bit short of your objective in order to avoid digging the ball back over the net. Do not provide your rivals with an easy opportunity for a comeback.
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   Take in the shock and then reroute it. It is not necessary for you to swing at the ball because the spiker has already provided all of the necessary power (and probably more than that) for your purposes. You should keep your elbows locked and maintain the same angle of deflection, but you should allow your shoulders to drop in order to absorb some of the power of the shot.

   • Follow through with your platform, moving your arms slightly upward and towards your target, even though you aren't swinging at the ball. This will help you hit your target more effectively. Consider it as slightly pushing or nudging something in the desired path.

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   Dive and dig If your opponent is a good spiker, you won't always have the luxury of setting your feet and platform correctly so that you can pass the ball cleanly to your teammate. You're going to have to pick yourself up off the ground (or the sand) at some point.

   • To perform a dive for a spike that is directly in front of you, get down on your hands and knees and thrust your body forward. Your platform and upper body will be parallel to the ground, and you will be relatively low to it. You should try to hit the ball while sliding across your chest, ideally on your platform, but even with your wrist or knuckles will do.
   • Try something called a "pancake" when you have a pressing need to reach as far as you possibly can. " As you dive, extend your hands behind you with your palms facing down. This will cause the ball to rebound off the back of your hand(s). Slide along the palms of your hands while moving your upper body.
   • Keep your head above water as you descend. It is important to do this not only so that you can see the ball, but also so that when you land you won't hit your chin on the ground.
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   Sprawl and dig A sprawl is an expansive movement that can be directed more toward one side or the other, like a dive. If the ball is to your right or left, take a step in that direction and extend your body as if you were diving in order to get it. Keep your arms together as you dip your inside shoulder (the side of your body that is facing away from the ball). Because of this, you will be able to keep the inclination of your platform facing in the desired direction. [7]

   • To prevent your hands from touching the ground while you stretch and to ensure that at least some portion of your platform remains at the appropriate angle, you may need to increase the amount that your elbows are bent or curl your wrists.
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   Put some elevation on the ball. The use of correct technique is extremely beneficial and will make you a better and more consistent digger; however, in the end, the most important thing for you to do is to get the ball back into the air. (They won't give you points for having a good technique because the ball will bounce right past you.) Especially on partial blocks or deflections that send the ball on an unexpected trajectory, you may need to lurch your body, flail your arms, and land a little less gracefully. This is especially true when the ball is sent in an unexpected direction by the action. Do what needs to be done.

   • Don't put yourself in danger just to dig a spike, though, unless you're competing in the Olympics or something similar to that. An awkward landing can result in injuries to the legs, arms, and even the head. Having the right gear, like knee pads and ankle wraps, will be of great assistance in this situation.

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