How do you dig a volleyball that is spiked almost 80-100 mph???

Question

I'm a great passer, hitter, and an okay setter... but i have a lot of trouble trying to dig the VERY VERY fast paced hits. I can dig them with no problem by cushioning, but the ball hits the floor before i can even figure out where it's going. The varsity coach is a guy so he hits harder than the varsity (i'm on jv) and i get into the exact position my coach tells me to. When he hits it... it goes past the side of my ear before i can react to it. So i move back wards and he hits it so close to the tenfoot line and again, i dont have time to react because it happens in less than half a second.

How do i dig a volleyball that is spiked almost 80-100mph???

Answer 1

you stop time. and have reflexes like a cat. nah im just kidding... im a volleyball started of 5 years... practice makes perfect, if you have an older brother of someone with a sick arm at ur house have them spike the ball at u for about a 1/2 hour every night and you should improve in no time.

Answer 2

Keep doing what you are doing.  Keep getting the varsity coach to hit at you.  You will not be able to dig every spike.  Particularly in a practice situation.  The only way you can dig the spikes if he hits it directly at you.  

In a real match, you may be able to learn to read the block and help you dig hard driven spikes.  (I actually still like to call the block as the shield.  The blockers shield the weak part of your defense against the strong part of their attack and cause them to hit to the strong part of your defense.  It causes the hitter to hit where you want them to hit or they get blocked.  Even if they do not touch it, they provided a good shield by allowing you to dig the ball.)

Answer 3

best thing to do is to see the hit.... watch his shoulders and anticipate where its going...

Answer 4

If you commit yourself to a 'dig' all you can do is be in position, and let the ball contact you - allow it to bounce off you - you are only deflecting the ball. At that kind of speed, it will be pure reflex. If you are receiving the slower spikes alright, then it's no different for the faster ones.

It is when you can't dig it (when it's high) that you have to use the appropriate technique - you have to rely upon your own spirit to know which to use? Your own instinct within you, should guide you...

Only practice will get you getting better... each time you do something new right - just tell yourself - I can do that, again. And you will. And know why something didn't work out right, so that you know how to correct yourself next time...

Answer 5

stay low. very low.

if you keep low, you have better reaction time.

watch his eyes, because thats where he'll hit it.

good luck!

Answer 6

1. most vballs r spiked at a max of 50 mph even in college and pro

2. just practice diving and anticipate his arm swing.

3. hes prob testing b/c he thinks u have potential and he wants you to succedd

hope this helps

Answer 7

stay on the balls of your feet and have your hands ready and don't think where the balls going just watch it stay under it and let it hit off your arms. don't be scared. just make sure you are on your toes so your can react faster.

Answer 8

ha ha who spikes that fast?!?!? LOL ok what you do is you watch their arm and you stay on your toes in the defensive position. you start moving forward, but not too much because you may get nailed in the face if you go to far! the point is to be moving so you can go where the ball is going to be. you watch their arm and body and approach to get an idea of where it will be. watch out for those tips as well hard hitters like to trick you sometimes. :) stay VERY low to the ground in your defense position. as low as you can touch the ground with your hands. also master the art of the "barrel roll" to help you dig those fast balls. take control of the ball when passing and dont swing your arms to keep it on your side of the net. good luck and dont be afraid of those hard hit balls!!

Answer 9

watch whic h way his shoulders are directed. cross court, down line etc... be ready and wherever it's going, just go down to that spot near where it's hit & hope you're there. sacrifice yourself & be ready for whatever comes. maybe you'll get a pancake or something.

Answer 10

get low and hold on tight it may hurt your arms but most impotantly stay low you will have a better chance of hitting it

Answer 11

stay down as low as u can get with ur legs spread 2 ft apart...knees bent and arms out slightly bent...don't have your ands together waiting for the hit...u can move better and do one armed digs...watch their approach and shoulders...then go for it with everything u have and ALWAYS keep your shoulder facing the setter.....tilt them turn them whatever...and don't swing just shrug....this will insure that it will float right to the setter! HOPE IT HELPS!