In volleyball, a dig is a defensive move used to prevent the ball from hitting the floor after an opponent makes a hard downward hit, such as a spike or a serve. The main purpose of a dig is to keep the ball playable and continue the rally, rather than setting up a teammate to score. Here are some key points about digs in volleyball:
- A dig is a form of passing, but not all passes are considered digs. Digs occur after an opponent serves or spikes the ball, while passes can include any type of ball contact.
- To perform a successful dig, a player needs to be in the right position, watch the hitters body motion, and adjust their positioning based on the blockers and the hitter's approach.
- The direction of the ball should be predictable most of the time if the player watches the hitter's body motion, hips, and shoulders.
- Digs may not always be perfect passes to a teammate, as the goal is to keep the ball playable, while passes prioritize setting up a teammate to score.
- Anyone can and should learn to dig, as it is an important skill for everyone on the team.
