Volleyball has certainly evolved through the years. Rally scoring, Jump Serves and the Libero position are just a few things that have been added to the game over time. Another thing that has changed over time is the use of overhand digging. This is now become a tool that players, especially the Libero, need to have in their toolbox. The overhand dig is necessary when a player has a ball that is hit high towards them and they do not have time to get in position to dig it otherwise.

In the video clip below Kevin Hambly, Stanford Head Coach (formerly University of Illinois Head Coach), teaches you how to effectively get the ball in the air using proper overhand digging technique. The clip is from a DVD designed to for training liberos. To learn more about that DVD click the link Volleyball Skill Progressions: Libero

In that dvd you will learn:

1 The role and skills needed to be an effective libero inclucing the proper overhand digging technique.
2. How to Extend the libero’s range and effectively dig balls that are hit hard in front, to the side, and over your head their head.
3. How 2011 Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year Kevin Hambly teaches and perfects this skill set with advanced players and inexperienced younger players.

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site (Some schools block access to YouTube)

The overhand digging technique is not something that you want to spend a lot of time on with youger players, they simply aren’t strong enough. Your high school players, and certainly your Liberos, need to master the the overhand digging technique.

The keys to the overhand dig:

1. Move your body so that your center is in line with the path of the ball.
2. Shoulders should be forward. Attack the ball with shoulders forward.
3. So not set the ball. Slap the ball and get it high

Remember that there is no double contact on a first contact. Their hands do not have to be perfect. Just slap the ball and get it high and do not try to set a ball hit with pace.

The slide hit is is an effective weapon that all hitters should be able to execute and all coaches should incorporate into their attack. This type of attack can be an effective way to create openings for you hitters and is difficult for your opponent to block and defend.

In order to execute the slide hit, the hitters must master the one foot take off. The footwork will be familiar to players that have a basketball background as the 1-2 step into the slide is the same as the 1-2 step into a lay-up.

In the video clip below Iowa Head Coach Bond Shymansky presents an exercise perfect for teaching hitters the art of hitting on one-foot takeoffs. Running a slide hit attack is a very technical skill. Coach Shymansky gives you key coaching points for teaching players the footwork and arm preparation and arm action required to execute the slide hit.

For more information about the DVD that this clip came from click the link Developing the Slide Hitter The DVD contains the following:

1. Learn how to make your attack hard to block and defend by training attackers from all positions at the net to run a slide hit attack
2. Get detailed explanations, demonstrations and drills for running a high percentage slide hit attack
3. Learn how to change up your drills to create game-like chaos and force your attackers to adjust to the tempo of the pass and set

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)

For more teaching points regarding the execution of the slide hit click here to see and earlier post regarding the execution of the slide hit. The clip in this post is from features Coach Shymansky and is from the the same DVD as the clip above.

In the two clips below you will get a look at Dave Shondell Volleyball practices at Purdue University. Coach Shondell teams have appeared in 10 NCAA Tournament the last 12 years, including seven Sweet 16 appearances and two berths in the Elite 8. He is,without doubt one of the top volleyball coaches, in the country.

The first clip is of drill he calls parallel digging. The drill is designed to give defenders reps at digging balls hit cross court with pace. He covers positioning a coverage. In the second clip you will see a competitive game designed to develop the mental toughness necessary to close out a set.

The clips are from a DVD that shows four live practices of coach Dave Shondell Volleyball Practices. In those practices you will learn:

1. Practice Strategies
2. Leadership training
3. See drills for setting, passing, transition, digging, team play and more
4. Learn how to use small groups to maximize reps and isolate specific skills, and then blend them into a team concept
5. Learn how to create a competitive culture using team drills that simulate game-like situations

To get more information on purchasing the full DVD click the link All Access Volleyball Practice with Dave Shondell

The YouTube videos below have sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (some schools block access to the YouTube. You may need to gain access from your network administrator)

Parallel Digging

Two players are placed on one side of the left side of the floor with one up and middle. A third player is placed middle back. Coaches hit balls from the opposite pin and the players must react and attempt to dig ball to the box he has marked on the floor.

Close Out Game

Two teams compete beginning with the score tied at 19. All normal rules apply. Once one team gets to 23, they must close out the set by winning the next two points. In the fail to win the next two, they must go back to 19. This is great for creating the mindset you need to win. Get the last two point of every set.

The jump set can be an effective tool to hold blockers and create openings for your hitters. In addition the jump set can provide attacking opportunities for your setter, giving your team a more versatile offense.

The video clip below was presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball as the AVCA Tip of the Week. In the clip Stanford’s John Dunning breaks down Lauren Carlini’s (former Wisconsin setter) jump set. In the video it is easy to see the key components of the jump set. The clip would be an excellent teaching tool for your players and or assistant coaches. Coach Dunning breaks down both the front and back jump set as well as the fundamentals of the setter attack.

For more great volleyball coaching tools you can click on the links above or for more videos like this you can visit The Art of Coaching Volleyball YouTube Channel or the AVCA YouTube Channel

The YouTube video below has sound so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site (some schools block access to YouTube)

To execute the Jump Set the setter must assume a starting position that has her back to the net and facing the passer. Her first step will be with the left foot to take her towards the ball. Some setters will follow with a step with their right foot, while others simple step with their left the give a small hop and land on both feet. Either method is acceptable for the jump set, it’s simply a matter of individual preference.

The hips must be squared away to the target and arms fully extended above the head out towards where she wants the ball to go. All body movement should be towards the target.

When using the jump set to back set, the mechanics are the same, the setter simply delivers the ball behind her. It is important that she gets her hips square, if she leaves them open the set will likely be to close to the net.

In terms of attacking with the jump set, the setter should always go up with two hands to simulate the set. She will let the ball cross her body and attack it with her outside hand or inside hand depending on where she wants the ball to go. Contact should be made when the ball is above the inside shoulder.

What to do when your hitters are faced with a big block on a tight set? Teach them to wipe the block. In other words simply hit the ball of the hands of the blocker such that it goes out of bounds. Wiping is a good strategy when your hitter is small or the block is very good.

In the video below, Cary Wendell Wallin, a coach at 949 Athletics in San Juan Capistrano, California, demonstrates the “wipe” a drill she use to teach the skill. In the clip presented to AVCA by the Art of Coaching Volleyball. For many other great volleyball coaching tools click on the links above. You may also visit the AVCA YouTube Channel for other great videos like the one below.

The YouTube video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)

The “Wipe” is just one way to tool the block. Coach Cary Wendell Wallin’s drill helps teach hitters to feel what is is like to push a ball into a block and wipe it to the outside so that it goes out of bounds.

The drill begins with a defender at the net and the hitter slightly off the net. The coach will set the ball tight to the net. Both players jump up. The hitter will not take a full approach. Just have them take the last two steps. This helps avoid injury and allows them to focus on the “wipe”.

The hitter should push the ball into the block and try and wipe the ball towards the outside so that the ball comes of the block and goes out of bounds.

The drill should be completed on both sides. On each side the ball must be wiped towards the outside.