Down Ball Dig Drill
A partner standing on a gym bench by the net hits the ball down, and two defenders dig it up with a forearm pass to a target. Students practice low defense, the ready position, and reacting to fast but controlled attacks.
How to play
- Place a gym bench 3 ft from the net on each half court; an attacker stands on it with a cart of balls nearby (2 min).
- Groups of 5: attacker, two back-row defenders, a target by the net, and a feeder who hands balls to the attacker (1 min).
- The attacker tosses the ball up and hits it down with an open hand, at medium power, toward one of the defenders (4 min).
- The defender digs the ball high to the target; 2 points if the target catches it without moving and 1 if they take one step.
- Every 10 balls, rotate: attacker to feeder, feeder to target, target to defender, and defender to attacker (6 min).
- In the last block, the attacker can choose between a down ball and a short tip, and the defenders must read it (5 min).
Rules
- The attacker hits at medium power and always toward the defender's body, never at the face.
- A partner steadies the bench at one end, and no one jumps off it.
- Defenders do not dive; they dig by bending their legs.
- Wait for the defender's "Ready!" call before every hit.
Variations
Easier
The attacker throws with two hands from the floor instead of hitting from the bench.
Standard
Open-hand down ball from the bench at medium power toward the defenders.
Harder
Mix hits and tips, and the defender who doesn't dig becomes the setter for the second touch.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is the target or attacks from a chair by the net.
- Shy students: start as the feeder and join the defense once the group has a rhythm.
- Lower fitness level: the defender sits out one turn every 5 balls and a softer ball is used.
Learning goals
- Hold a low, balanced ready position.
- React quickly to a ball coming down.
- Dig the ball high toward the setting zone.
Equipment for a class of 25
- volleyballs: 12
- net: 1
- gym benches: 4
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Check that the bench is stable and that the attacker controls the power; a slow, accurate hit is better than a hard one that sprays. Remind students that the arms barely move on a dig: the ball rebounds off a still platform.
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