One Easy Fix To 10x Your Volleyball Defense

[@raidthunder1464]

Every time I do this my coach lectures me about it.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

By no means am I saying you need to one hands dig every time, or scoop the ball on every play. But focus on starting your defensive position with open hands and if you have time to get there with two then definitely do that. But the higher up levels you get in volleyball hopefully your coaches will understand the impact this has on defense!

[@raulmayers2072]

Ideally you want your platform together but it's much much better to build this habit (and have the choice to put your hands together) than to break the habit of swinging with your platform together. Great video! I still don't understand why people are against scooping when a lot people have a problem "olay-ing" the ball.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

This comment is EVERYTHING! I wish I could pin it. I agree with every word you said.

[@ranaksaxena3300]

I did start applying the hands apart rule a couple of weeks back and I have genuinely seen the improvement. Thank you so much for that vid

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Let’s go! Keep going.

[@Dgoth-sp8wu]

I’m struggling with reading the defense and finding holes and open spots of the court as a hitter, if you could make a video about this it would help me so much!!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

I got you!

[@LorenceFillers]

I think the process to learning this would be how you sequence creating your platform. he’s not saying having your hands together is wrong, but in learning how to scoop, connecting your hands should be the last step in digging (i.e. instead of joining your hands then bringing your arms together, extend your arms then finish the platform by connecting your hands). that way when those faster hits come at you, if you don’t fully form your receive, you’ve at least formed your platform/angle. at least thats how I see it

[@mitchsterkenburg]

You saw it right, couldn’t have written it better than that.

[@sk.43821]

Only for the hardest to defend balls. You still need a ratio of good passing for own offensive success.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

You don’t have to scoop every ball, but isolated arms on defense will lead to more digs even on “easy” balls because you cover 2x the space.

[@sk.43821]

Okay, on top levels there are only few easy digs anyway. Main task is to bring the ball up. Still the offensive success decreases behind 3 meter line. Of course arms isolated at attack hit. But on lower levels we need much more often closed platform for a relatively good pass, because a) attacks are in average easier to defend; not so fast and better to read b) own offense is even less effective than at top levels, the farther the ball from the net

[@mitchsterkenburg]

@@sk.43821 I think we’re on the same page, I continue to echo regardless of the level. If you’re able to dig the ball with your regular platform together I encourage it, but it’s the setup that will allow you to get more for both the quick attack, slow attack, and things outside your midline. If we teach this at the younger levels it builds foundational skills as the game gets quicker.

[@sk.43821]

@@mitchsterkenburg Yes, I totally agree with this concept, it's definitely the right approach. Just mention we don't forget a relatively good passing precision when it's possible. Players who get used to both techniques figure out when to switch from scoop to platform. Both techniques reach their highest effectivity for the respective attacks to be defended.

[@orangefroggo552]

I'm at a level where it depends on whos hitting, if its a strong hitter and I'm digging sharp line or cross, then yeah. but if it's a weak right side or middle I'll pass it like I would a serve.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

If you have the time to react, without a doubt you want to take the dig normally. My focus is to start with your hands open and out in front so you can get both the quick ball from a strong hitter, and adjust to the slower ball when necessary!

[@orangefroggo552]

Yeah, I also like to keep hands wide and loose at the start in case I have to tomahawk dig or get it with my hands@@mitchsterkenburg

[@martelogr4225]

That's it! If you have so much time to react it turns into just a pass, digging should be keeping the ball in play, no time to make a perfect pass!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@starostadavid]

Gem after gem! This was the main takeaway I took from the main video. Great stuff. One of the things you see and can apply right away. Loving that! Any hints on upcoming videos? Leak the list. 😂 Something about reading attackers up there? 😂

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Awesome, trying to reinforce main takeaways when I watch film back of plays. Glad you’re taking the important pieces away! Trying to keep my first round of main videos primarily foundational. No secret list to reveal yet but keep your eyes out for a big one coming up next.