If you're new to volleyball or just trying to understand the game better, you've probably heard announcers and coaches talk about "digs." But what exactly is a dig in volleyball, and why does it matter?
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about digs—from the basic definition to how they're counted as a stat and why they're so important to a team's success.
What is a Dig?
A dig is a defensive play where a player successfully passes an attacked ball (typically a spike or hard-driven hit) and keeps it in play. The dig prevents the ball from hitting the floor on your side of the court, giving your team a chance to set up an offensive play.
Think of a dig as the defensive equivalent of a pass—except it's made on a much harder-hit ball. Digs often require quick reflexes, good positioning, and the ability to absorb the power of an opponent's attack.
What Counts as a Dig?
For a play to be counted as a dig, a few conditions typically need to be met:
- The ball must be attacked – The opposing team must have hit the ball with force (a spike, tip, or hard-driven hit). A dig is not counted on a free ball or easy pass.
- The ball must stay in play – The defender must successfully control the ball enough that it can be played by a teammate. If the ball goes out of bounds or can't be played, it's not a dig.
- It's a defensive action – Digs are credited to players making defensive plays, usually in the back row, though front-row players can also record digs.
When you're tracking stats with VballStat, recording a dig is simple—just tap the dig button when a player successfully defends an attack. The app automatically tracks dig totals for each player across matches, tournaments, and entire seasons.
Dig vs. Pass: What's the Difference?
New volleyball fans often confuse digs with passes. Here's the key difference:
- Pass (Reception) – A pass is made on a serve. When the opposing team serves, and you bump the ball to your setter, that's a pass or serve reception.
- Dig – A dig is made on an attack. When the opposing team spikes or hits the ball hard over the net, and you get it up, that's a dig.
Both skills require similar technique—the forearm bump or platform—but digs are generally more difficult because attacked balls come faster and with more power than serves.
Why Are Digs Important?
Digs are one of the most important stats in volleyball for several reasons:
1. They Keep Rallies Alive
Without digs, every opponent's attack would be a point. Strong defensive teams extend rallies and create more opportunities to score.
2. They Create Transition Offense
A good dig doesn't just prevent a point—it sets up your team's counter-attack. The better the dig, the better chance your setter has to run an effective play.
3. They Measure Defensive Ability
When coaches and scouts evaluate players, dig totals help identify strong defenders. A player with consistently high dig numbers is reliable in the back row. That's why tracking digs with a stat app like VballStat is so valuable—it gives you concrete data to evaluate player performance over time.
Who Records the Most Digs?
While any player on the court can record a dig, certain positions typically lead in this stat:
- Libero – The libero is a defensive specialist who plays only in the back row. They're usually the team leader in digs because that's their primary role.
- Defensive Specialists (DS) – Similar to liberos, defensive specialists sub in for back-row play and focus on passing and digging.
- Outside Hitters – Because outside hitters play all the way around the rotation, they spend time in the back row and often accumulate significant dig totals.
How to Improve Your Digging
Want to get better at digging? Here are some tips:
- Stay low – A low, athletic stance gives you a better base and quicker reaction time.
- Read the hitter – Watch the opposing hitter's approach and arm swing to anticipate where the ball is going.
- Move your feet first – Get in position before the ball arrives. Good footwork is the foundation of good defense.
- Absorb the ball – On hard-hit balls, keep a firm platform but let your arms give slightly to control the dig.
- Practice reaction drills – Drills that require quick reactions to hard-hit balls will improve your reflexes over time.
Dig Statistics: What's a Good Number?
Dig totals vary based on position and level of play. Here are some general benchmarks:
- Liberos – At the college level, top liberos average 4-6 digs per set. Over a season, elite liberos can record 400+ digs.
- Outside Hitters – Good all-around outside hitters might average 2-3 digs per set.
- Middle Blockers – Middles typically have fewer digs (often under 1 per set) since they play primarily in the front row.
For youth and high school players, these numbers will be lower, but the relative patterns hold—liberos and outside hitters lead in digs.
How to Track Digs for Your Team
If you're a coach or team parent, tracking digs helps you understand your team's defensive strengths and identify areas for improvement. VballStat makes tracking digs easy:
- Real-time recording – Tap to record digs as they happen during matches
- Automatic totals – See each player's dig count update instantly
- Season-long tracking – View dig totals across all matches, or filter by specific tournaments
- Player report cards – Generate printable reports showing each player's defensive stats including digs
- Dig errors – Track when defenders fail to keep attacked balls in play to get a complete picture
With VballStat, you don't need a clipboard or spreadsheet. Just open the app, select your players, and start tracking. Try it free and see how easy volleyball stat tracking can be.
Key Takeaways
- A dig is a defensive play that keeps an attacked ball in play
- Digs are different from passes—digs are made on attacks, passes are made on serves
- The libero typically leads the team in digs
- Good digs require quick reflexes, proper positioning, and the ability to read hitters
- Tracking digs with VballStat helps coaches evaluate defensive performance and player development
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dig the same as a bump?
A bump (or forearm pass) is the technique used. A dig is the specific situation—using that technique to defend against an attack.
Can setters get digs?
Yes! Any player can record a dig. If a setter digs an attacked ball while in the back row (or even the front row), it counts as a dig.
Does a block touch count as a dig?
No. Blocks are recorded separately from digs. If a player touches the ball at the net while attempting to block, that's a block touch, not a dig. In VballStat, you can track both blocks and digs as separate stats.
What if I dig the ball but it goes out of bounds?
If the ball can't be played after your touch and goes out of bounds, it typically wouldn't count as a dig since the ball wasn't kept "in play" for your team. This would be recorded as a dig error in VballStat.
What's the best way to track digs during a match?
The easiest way is to use a volleyball stat tracking app like VballStat. You can record digs with a single tap, and the app automatically calculates totals and averages for each player. It's much faster and more accurate than paper stat sheets.