Men's volleyball team in blue jerseys huddling on court before a match

Dig to Target Drill

Dig to target is a defense drill where a coach hits controlled balls at a defender, who digs each ball high to a setter target near the net, between zones 2 and 3. The goal is not just to touch the ball: defenders learn to be balanced and stopped before the hit, then angle the platform so the dig goes high enough and close enough to the target that a setter could run an attack. It builds the habit of digging to a spot, is easy to set up, and you can make it harder as players improve.

Focus
Stance, platform angle, dig accuracy
Level
Beginner–intermediate
Players
3–8 + coach: 1 coach (hitter), 1 defender working at a time with up to 5 waiting, 1 target and 1 ball feeder who hands balls to the coach
Equipment
10–20 balls in a cart, knee pads for defenders, a target
Space
Half a court
Time
10–15 min: 5–8 digs per turn, 3–4 turns per player

Setup

The defender starts in zone 5 (back left), about 1 m inside the end line and 1 m in from the sideline. Waiting defenders line up outside the end line behind zone 5.

The coach stands on the same side of the net near zone 4 (front left) or on the other side of the net facing zone 5. For beginners, the coach stands on the same side, about 4–5 m away, so the hit is easy to see. The target (a player or setter, or a hoop or basket held at about head height) stands at the setter target, between zones 2 and 3, about 1–2 m off the net. Later, move the station to zone 1 (back right) and zone 6 (back middle).

The defender (D) starts in zone 5, about 1 m inside the end line and 1 m in from the sideline. The coach (C) stands near zone 4, about 4–5 m away, with the ball feeder (F). The target (T) is at the setter target.

D = defender, C = coach, F = ball feeder, T = target. Small dots = waiting defenders.

  1. The coach slaps the ball as a signal. The defender stops moving and stays low: feet a bit wider than the shoulders, knees bent, arms out in front.
  2. The coach hits a controlled ball at the defender.
  3. The defender angles the platform so the ball goes high to the target. Score each dig: 2 = easy to set, 1 = playable, 0 = not playable.
  4. Harder: the coach stands on a sturdy box across the net in zone 4 and hits down at the defender, a more game-like angle. Use a box built for it, with a spotter.
  5. Dig it high to the target again.
  6. Harder still: the coach hits slightly to the side, so the defender must move one step, stop and dig.
  7. Dig to the target. After 5–8 digs, the next player steps in.

How to run it

  1. The defender takes a ready stance: feet a bit wider than shoulders, knees bent, weight forward, arms out in front.
  2. The coach slaps the ball or holds it up as a signal. The defender stops moving and stays low, and the coach hits a controlled ball at the defender.
  3. The defender angles the platform so the ball goes high toward the target.
  4. The target catches the ball and rolls it back to the feeder.
  5. The defender does 5–8 digs in a row, then the next player steps in.

Scoring

Score each dig: 2 = the target could set it easily, 1 = playable, 0 = not playable. Add up each turn so players can beat their own score. To make it a game, the first defender to 10 points wins.

Safety

Defenders wear knee pads. Keep loose balls out of the defender's area. Coaches hit at a speed matched to the group and never at a player who is not ready. If using a box, only use one built for that purpose, with a spotter; it must be stable, and only the coach stands on it. Teach sprawls and rolls at low speed before adding balls that need them (see how to dive and sprawl). See common injuries.

Health note: General information, not medical advice. Young athletes should train under a qualified coach, and anyone with pain or an injury should see a doctor or physical therapist.

Watch: a knockout digging drill

AVCA Video Tip of the Week: Knockout Digging Drill

What to watch for: A knockout digging game: dig to a target and catch the ball. A catch in the small box beats the big box, which beats anywhere on the court; if the next player digs better, you are out.

Video: AVCA Volleyball on YouTube. In this version players dig and catch their own ball inside a target box, knockout style. Wear knee pads. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching this drill

What success looks like
The defender is stopped and low as the coach hits, then sends the dig high toward the target so it could be set: a 2 in Scoring. A touch that keeps the ball off the floor but goes low, back over the net or far from the target scores 0 or 1; it is not the goal yet.
One cue
“Stop, then dig.” Be still and low when the coach hits, so you can move to the ball.
One common error
Platform aimed at the hitter: the dig goes straight back toward the coach. Adjustment: keep the hips facing the hitter, but drop the outside shoulder so the platform points at the setter target.
Make it easier
Slow the ball: the coach tosses underhand instead of hitting, then hits from the same side at low speed.
Make it harder
Add movement: the coach hits slightly left or right, so the defender must move one step, stop and dig.
When to progress
Practice suggestion: when at least half of a defender’s digs in a turn of 5–8 score 2 at the current speed and angle, raise one thing: speed, angle (the box) or movement. If most digs score 0, lower the speed until most are playable. Adjust the numbers for your group.

More cues and common mistakes

  • “Low and wide.” A low, wide base gives you time and balance. If the defender straightens the legs as the ball comes, cue “stay low through the dig.”
  • “Arms out early.” The platform is ready before the ball arrives.
  • “Angle, don't swing.” Point the platform at the target and let the ball rebound. Swinging the arms shoots the ball over the net or into the stands. Fix: cue “quiet arms.”
  • “High to the target.” Height gives the setter time to get there.
  • “Eyes on the hitter's arm.” The arm swing tells you where the ball is going.
  • Hits too hard for the level. Players can't succeed and stop trying. Fix: hit at a speed where most digs are playable.
More ways to make it easier or harder
  • Harder: the coach stands on a sturdy box across the net in zone 4 and hits down at the defender (a more game-like angle). Follow the box rules in Safety.
  • Harder: add a live setter at the target who sets the dig to a hitter, who attacks back.
  • Harder: two defenders (zones 5 and 6) must call “mine” before digging.