Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills

A volleyball dive or roll doesn't help you dig a ball but it helps you protect your body and land safely on the ground AFTER keeping a ball off the floor. 

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills: A volleyball dive or roll doesn't help you physically dig a ball but it helps you protect your body and land safely on the ground AFTER keeping a ball off the floor. (R. Aversen [photo)

Learn how to dive in volleyball because it will help you

• protect your body and 
• land safely on the ground

AFTER you've chased down a ball that's been

• hit into or around your court and
• you've deflected it into the air to keep it off the floor.

Learn How To Dive in Volleyball To Help Improve Your Digging Skills: We practice the barrel roll form in every boot camp class so its easy for diggers and players to get used to hitting the ground. (Al Case)

The Volleyball Dive and Roll Using The Three Step Barrel Roll Technique

This will require a back court digger to learn how to do  a barrel roll technique.

How does a barrel roll help you dig in volleyball?

The barrel roll does not help you actually dig a volleyball but it helps you

• protect your body and
• finish landing on the ground in a safe and protected manner

AFTER you've run to dig a ball to keep it off the floor. 

I believe you can cover half a court in three large fast steps. 

With a ball that's falling to the right side of your body

• You take 3 steps towards the ball
• stepping first with your right foot-then-left foot-then right foot

With each step you

• lower yourself closer to the ground until
• on your third step which is your right foot which should get you within your body length to the falling ball
• you extend your full body to the ground cushioning your fall by placing your left hand down on the ground in front of you while lowering yourself to your side
• making contact with the ground by landing on your outer thigh, hip, side of your torso while 
• outstretching your arm with the closed fist of your right hand that's placed under the ball 2-3 inches before it hits the ground

You flick your wrist up so the ball comes up 5 - 6 inches, high enough for someone close to you get it up higher.

• Using your left hand that's on the ground and the forward momentum you have from moving and running forward to the ball.. you push yourself over so your body completes a full 360 degree turn while on the ground
• When you finish on your stomach you gather both feet under your body and with hands underneath your shoulders you push yourself up to a standing position. 

For a ball that's falling to the left side of your body...do the opposite.

We practice the barrel roll form and digging technique in every boot camp class we teach so its easy for diggers and players to get used to hitting the ground. 

An all out, "I'm never going to let this ball hit our court floor" attitude that inspires players to go all out to recover balls in defense no matter where they've been hit on the court. 

Defense is an attitude!
Watch Japan dig after dig, amazing volleyball defense! 

While diving and executing a barrel roll in volleyball are fundamental techniques to learn, beginners often make some common mistakes.

Let's look at what these are and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1:

Not Lowering Your Body Enough - Some beginners start the three-step barrel roll process too high, leading to an uncontrolled fall and potential injuries.

To avoid this, ensure with each step, you're lowering your body closer to the ground, preparing for a controlled dive.

Mistake #2:

Incorrect Arm Placement - Another common mistake is placing both arms out when diving.

It's crucial to remember that only the hand of the arm opposite to the direction of the ball should be placed under the ball to play it upward. The other arm should be used to cushion your fall.

Mistake #3:

Fear of Hitting the Ground - The fear of hitting the ground is another barrier that often hampers beginners.

Understand this is part of the game and practice the proper landing technique.

With enough repetitions, you'll become accustomed to hitting the floor with control and safely, mitigating risks of injuries.

Mistake #4:

Failing to Complete the Roll - For the barrel roll technique, some players avoid or mistakenly do not complete the full roll due to fear or awkwardness.

Remember, rolling reduces the impact of the fall, protecting your body, and allowing a quick recovery to continue play.

Avoiding these common mistakes doesn't just improve your diving skills.

It also enhances your ability to contribute defensively and increases your safety on the court.

It's a testament to practice's power – through repetition and mindful training, you'll quickly adopt correct techniques and see immediate improvements in your game.

In summary, knowing how to dive and execute a barrel roll in volleyball are essential skills for any player aiming to improve their defensive game. Perfecting these movements not only allows you to save critical points during a match but also ensures you protect your body from injury.

Learning to dive effectively involves understanding when and how to execute the move, arriving at the right spot, and positioning your body for a controlled landing. Correctly performing a barrel roll requires the coordination of speed, step technique, and timely response.

However, mastery of these methods doesn't come overnight. That's why consistent, mindful practice is key. Be aware of the common mistakes often made during practice, keep refining your technique, and don't be afraid of the ground. With plenty of practice, you'll soon be making those spectacular diving saves in real game situations.

Remember, it's not just about making that one great dive or sprawl.

It's about integrating these techniques into your overall game play to become a more effective and versatile player.

So, lace up your sneakers and hit the court, because every dive you take makes you a stronger player for your next match.

You've got this!

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Alright, alright, alright! Time to study something something. You still have those three options: 

1. Let's learn more about defense,  digging and how to defend your court by exploring the Related Links below. 
2. Or you can choose the suggested reading on our Sitemap page   Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 

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