5 Essential Skills for Volleyball Defensive Specialists (DS)

Did you know that a defensive specialist in volleyball can dig up to 20 balls per game?

A Volleyball defensive specialist (DS) is a player who is primarily responsible for passing and digging. Defensive specialists (DSs) are typically smaller and quicker than other players on the team, and they have excellent ball control skills.

The defense specialist (DS) is an important position in volleyball, just like other positions, but it is not talked about much. Sometimes, people mix up the DS with the libero position, but there is a difference between the two. 

In this article, we will discuss the position of the defense specialist in detail. We will talk about what their role is, what responsibilities are connected to this position, and why it is such an important role.

Want to know about other important positions in Volleyball like Outside hitter or setter Volleyball, jump to our guide.

Why is a Volleyball Defensive Specialist important in team?

A defensive specialist is important on a volleyball team because they help to keep the ball in play. By passing the ball accurately and digging balls that would otherwise hit the ground, DSs give their team more opportunities to score points and win games.

Want to know How to score a point in Volleyball easily?

Top 5 responsibilities of a Volleyball defensive specialist

Here are the top 5 responsibilities that are associated with DS position

1. The Defence specialist passes the ball accurately to the setter. This is the DS’s most important responsibility, as it sets the foundation for the team’s offense.
2. DS Digs the ball that would otherwise hit the ground. DSs need to be able to react quickly and move well to get to balls that are off the net.
3. He serves the ball consistently. DSs are often good servers, as they have excellent ball controlling skills.
4. They have strong communication with their teammates. DSs need to be able to communicate with each other and specially with the setter to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
5. DSs are positive and supportive with their teammates. DSs play a vital role on the team, and their positive attitude can be contagious.

Volleyball DS vs Libero – Are they the same?

No, a volleyball defensive specialist and a libero are not the same thing. Sometimes people get confused but they are quite different from each other. A libero is a specialized player who is only allowed to play in the back row. DSs, on the other hand, can play in both the front and back rows.

Here is the detailed Libero vs DS comparison

Characteristic	Libero	Defensive Specialist	Short description
Role	Back-row defensive specialist	Back-row defensive specialist	Both liberos and defensive specialists specialize in defense, but liberos are more specialized.
Primary responsibilities	Digging, passing, and receiving serves	Digging, passing, and receiving serves	Both liberos and defensive specialists are responsible for digging, passing, and receiving serves.
Unique abilities	Unlimited substitutions	Limited substitutions	Liberos have unlimited substitutions, while defensive specialists have limited substitutions.
Restrictions	Cannot attack or block at the net	Can attack and block at the net	Liberos cannot attack or block at the net, while defensive specialists can.
Jersey	Contrasting color	Matching color as the rest of the team	Liberos wear a contrasting jersey, while defensive specialists wear the same color jersey as the rest of the team.

How to become a top defensive specialist in volleyball

If you want to become a top defensive specialist in volleyball, you need to have excellent ball controlling skills, quick reflexes, and good body movement skills. You also need to be able to communicate effectively with your teammates.

Here are some tips for becoming the best volleyball defensive specialist:

1. Practice passing and digging drills regularly.
2. Watch films of other great defensive specialists and learn from their technique.
3. Get feedback from your coach and teammates.
4. Be patient and persistent. It takes time and practice to become a great defensive specialist.

5 Essential Skills for Defensive Specialists

If you want to scale your game as DS, here is the list of 5 most important skills every defense specialist must consider. You must understand these skills before playing at this position 

1. Passing: DSs need to be able to pass the ball accurately to the setter.
2. Digging: DSs need to be able to react quickly and move well to get to balls that are off the net.
3. Serving: DSs are often good servers, as they have excellent ball control skills.
4. Communication: DSs need to be able to communicate with each other and with the setter to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
5. Positivity: DSs need to be positive and supportive teammates.

Defensive Specialist Training/ Drills

A defensive specialist’s volleyball training should focus on developing their main skills like passing, digging, serving, and communication. The training should also include special drills that help them to improve their reaction time, movement skills, and overall fitness.

Here are some examples of volleyball defensive specialist training drills you must focus on:

1. Passing drills
   • Partner passing drill
   • Pepper drill
   • Three-person passing drill
2. Digging drills
   • Digging partner drill
   • Digging machine drill
   • Digging under pressure drill
3. Serving drills
   • Serving accuracy drill
   • Serving power drill
   • Serving consistency drill
4. Communication drills
   • Hand signals drill
   • Verbal communication drill
   • Situational communication drill

Top 3 drills for defensive specialists

1. Partner passing drill: This drill is a great way to practice passing the ball accurately to a partner.
2. Digging machine drill: This drill helps defensive specialists to improve their reaction time and digging skills.
3. Serving accuracy drill: This drill helps defensive specialists to develop their serving accuracy.

Communication and teamwork for defensive specialists

Volleyball Defensive specialist (DSs) plays a vital role on a volleyball team but communication and teamwork are essential for their success. DSs needs to communicate effectively with their teammates so that they can cover each other and defend the court effectively.

Below are some communication and teamwork tips tailored for defensive specialists:

• Communicate verbally and with hand signals: DSs should communicate with their teammates using both verbal cues and hand signals. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the team can defend the court effectively.
• Be aware of your surroundings: DSs need to be aware of their surroundings at all times so that they can see where their teammates are and where the ball is. This will help them to position themselves properly and to make good decisions about where to dig and pass the ball.
• Trust your teammates: DSs need to trust their teammates and have confidence in their abilities. This will help them to play more relaxed and to make better decisions.

Choosing the right Shoes for DS

As DS requires quick movements in the court, shoes selection becomes very crucial. When choosing shoes for defensive specialists, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Support: DSs need shoes that provide good support for their ankles and knees. This will help to prevent injuries.
• Cushioning: DSs need shoes that provide good cushioning to absorb the impact of jumping and landing. This will help to prevent fatigue and soreness.
• Traction: DSs need shoes that provide good traction on all types of surfaces. This will help them to move quickly and to avoid slipping.

Some popular shoe brands for defensive specialists include Nike, Adidas, and Asics.

Common mistakes that defensive specialists make and how to avoid them

Here are some common mistakes that defensive specialists make while playing. Lets Learn how to avoid them:

• Not communicating with teammates: DSs need to communicate with their teammates to avoid getting in each other’s way and to make sure that the court is covered.
• Not moving their feet: DSs need to be able to move their feet quickly and efficiently to get into position to dig and pass the ball.
• Not using their arms: DSs need to use their arms to reach up and dig balls that are high above the net.
• Not following through on their digs: DSs need to follow through on their digs to control the ball and pass it to a teammate accurately.

To avoid these mistakes, DSs should practice regularly and focus on developing their communication, footwork, armwork, and passing skills.

Who are the Famous Defensive Specialist Volleyball Players

Below are the top 3 Famous defensive specialist in volleyball who have showed their skills to the world and are recognized worldwide for their volleyball game:

Top 3 Defensive Specialist:

1. Logan Tom
2. Courtney Thompson
3. Lauren Carlini

These players are all known for their excellent defensive skills and their ability to keep the ball in play.

FAQs

What is the defensive specialist’s name in volleyball that does not play at the net?

The defensive specialist’s name in volleyball that does not play at the net is defensive specialist (DS).

What is the difference between a libero and a defensive specialist in volleyball?

The main difference between a libero and a defensive specialist is that a libero is a specialized position that can only play in the back row, while a volleyball defensive specialist can play in both the front and back rows. Liberos also have some special rules, such as not being allowed to block or attack the ball above the height of the net.

Why you need a DS on your volleyball team

A volleyball defensive specialist is important in team because they help to keep the ball in play. By passing the ball accurately and digging balls that would otherwise hit the ground, DSs give their team more opportunities to score points and win games.

Conclusion

Volleyball Defensive specialists (DSs) play a vital role on any volleyball team. By developing the 5 essential skills listed above (passing, digging, serving, communication, and positivity), DSs can help their team to win games and achieve success.

DSs are the backbone of a team’s defense. They are responsible for keeping the ball in play and giving the team more opportunities to score points. By developing their skills and working hard, DSs can make a significant contribution to their team’s success.

If you are interested in becoming a defensive specialist, I encourage you to start practicing today. With regular practice and dedication, you can develop the skills you need to be a valuable asset to any volleyball team.

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