Beach Training » Dig

Defensive blocking drill

Tristo — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:19:12 +0000

There is a lot to learn as a blocker in beach volleyball. This little video shows a training session I did last week working on a defensive technique that is very important to learn as a blocker.

It deals with a situation where the attacker plays a poky just over the top of your block. This is actually often quite easy to defend, if yuo use the correct technique. Without the correct technique, you will probably lose the point every time.

The video includes a simple drill and a game that is good for warm ups.

Great laydown example

Tristo — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:48:37 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I put up a video describing the Beach volleyball Laydown technique. I was just surfing Youtube and came across a great example of why this technique is so much better than a regular dive. Check out the first dig in this rally. Notice how the back court player hits the sand, makes the dig and is back to his feet almost instantly. If he had dived and allowed his chest to land on the sand, then he would not have been back to his feet nearly as quickly.

I think it’s Todd Rogers making the play… surprise, surprise.

Beach volleyball defence – the “Lay down”

Tristo — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:09:16 +0000

Chasing and digging a line shot is one of the most exciting plays in beach volleyball. This video explains one of the techniques used by professional player to make a full length dive at a ball, but still maintain balance and control as they make the dig.

The laydown is a great technique to learn and it will definitely help you to make more defensive plays.

I learnt this technique from a good friend of mine who runs coaching sessions at Manly Beach. If you are ever in Sydney, sign up for a class at beachvolleyball.com.au.

Pepper with setter – 3 players

Tristo — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:13:29 +0000

This is a really simple warm up with three players.

One guy/gal sets the ball, and the other two do all the digging and spiking. It’s great setting practice, and if the passers are a bit rough is also good for fitness. the setter is constantly making short fast movements to the ball.

The setter always sets back to the player that passes the ball.

Pepper with changing setter – 3 players

Tristo — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:59:31 +0000

This is another variation on the “pepper” that involves three players and quite a lot of running For that reason, it’s a very good warm up.

The diagrams below show how it works.

Start with player 1 and 2 next to each other at one end, and player 3 opposite at the other end.

Step 1

Player 1 sets to player 3, then runs to the other end (following the set)

Step 2

Player 3 hits at player 2, who digs the ball back.

Step 3

Player 3 sets the ball back to player 2, and follows the set, running to the other end
Player 2 hits at player 1

Continue in this sequence until you are warm, or bored, or both

Each player performs this sequence of skills:
Set
Run to the other end
Wait
Dig
Spike
Set
Run to the other end
Wait
Dig
Spike
etc…..