DEFENSE SPECIALIST
The player in a volleyball match who handles the defense of the volleyball team while digging hard spikes, handling upcoming serves, and passing the ball to the setter like a fierce force of nature is none other than a Defense specialist (DS).
In my opinion, DS(s) always are the star of the show and also the strongest players on their team. They serve as the team’s backbone by playing the first line of defense.
Why is a Defense specialist a great position?
This position is all about versatility. DS position players have excellent ball control and quick reflexes while diving, leaping, digging, and rolling. With this, they can serve, sub, and move around more freely.
You get it right? The liberty they have makes them super flexible and fast to face any kind of spike from the opponent- IF YOU KNOW VOLLEYBALL YOU KNOW THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
I would agree- many people favor Libero for defense but as a DS, you can play on the front line, which a Libero cannot do. Playing from the front line enables these players to face short and tricky spikes that might otherwise end up costing you the game.
My favorite players have always been my DS(s) because they can easily scramble the opponent’s attack and save the team from missing the hit.
PS- DON’T LET MY TEAM KNOW IT LOL !!
Let’s now talk about the subbing power of a DS- They can sub into the game to replace a weak defender or passer and prevent the ball from touching the floor. I have always chosen my most focused players and trained them to be DS because their extreme focus and logical guessing enable them to defend the ball- within the microseconds you have on the court. That’s why they are called the ‘last line of the defense’.
But let it be known, if you have a player on DS who doesn’t like to pass and let the team play- BIG RED FLAG- They should perfectly pass the ball to front-row players for setting or hitting it.
Where does a DS stand on the court?
The positions of DS are set according to the rules of USA volleyball.
- If the Libero stands in the middle back spot on the court, the DS plays from the left back.
- Similarly, if the Libero stands in the left-back position, the DS plays from the middle back.
- For some NCAA college volleyball programs, a defense specialist can play from right back if the setter is in the front row. However, many club volleyball teams of young age divisions (11U-13U) drop the DS position as players are not mature enough to develop their defense skills.
How to become a strong Defense Specialist?
Becoming a competitive DS needs a few traits to develop along with basic passing and serving, just knowing how to play the ball is not enough. Let us look into each quality/skill that a DS must have to provide the strongest defense to the team:
- Strong server:
A DS will try every move for a strong defense. They are called ‘on to serve.’ They sub in for a weak passer and ensure to save each point after they enter the back row of the court.
They enter from the back row and protect the team from faults or giving away points with their excellent diving and serving skills. With sharp ball control and precision to avoid giving away points, these players ensure the ball is in play and the team is getting benefits out of it.
This means playing on the court is not enough, train, especially train your legs and your arms, build strength, and then solve some analytical ability books or logical reasoning to gain quick wit- trust me on this one, get up in the morning, solve some problems and go train.
- Great passer:
You must play for the team! These players are known for their passing skills with their digging and receiving skills, they are known to be great at giving their team a chance to play with them. Their consistent passing skills set up their team’s offensive game for the win but also set the team up in their morale.
Sometimes- and those are really important times, a team needs a sure-shot pass of the ball from the back row. DS fulfills that responsibility. Their good passing traits save the game, time and time again.
- Tenacious actions:
As a DS, you do not need to have higher aggression like a hitter or blocker instead you must be agile and responsive enough to get and pass the ball with a high percentage to the setter with tenacity.
They are mentally strong and emotionally tough to get the undiggable and fast spikes against hard hitters. I don’t make the rules, this is the need of the sport.
- Strategize against a variety of offenses:
Volleyball coaches generally set a defense strategy before the game. But, what will happen in the game is unpredictable.
In such situations, defense specialists learn how their opponent plays and what they intend to do with the ball. I have seen my DS being very good in-game leaders and stepping up when the team needs it- that’s why I say: SOLVE THOSE REASONING BOOKS.
They also end up facing continuous attacks from the opponents and sometimes it feels personal- trust me it is not but that’s why a good DS should be able to take emotions out of the game.
- Setting the ball:
Just because the name says DEFENSE, don’t think that’s their entire personality- Defense specialists also set the ball for the hitter if the setter is the first to touch the ball or is far away on the court.
They go for the second touch if the setter is unavailable at the required spot during the match. When not setting the ball, they also provide optimum coverage for the hitters on the court while playing cross-court, line, role-shots, etc.
They have freedom and liberty, making them the backbone of the team.
- Good communicator:
All these digging, passing, strategizing, and serving skills need the right communication of DS with their team members. Their eyes are always up and on the match for guessing the opponent’s serves and deciding appropriate responses.
With their intuitions, they provide key pointers to the front-row players about what the opponents are doing, their weak players, and opportunities to hit the ball to gain points. This inherently comes to the players who like to lead and know how to communicate and precisely convert their thoughts into the brief, so if you are a DS, start working on your speaking under pressure, quick wit, and ability to communicate well. WITH THAT DON’T HAVE BEEF WITH THE OTHER PLAYERS, A DS MUST BE RESPECTED AND LOVED.
DRILLS FOR A GOOD DS
There are some important drills that a DS should practice to strengthen the defense and game strategy. Some of them are naturally good passers, defenders, or divers. But, some need practice and footwork to develop these essential skills. LET ME HELP YOU HERE-
- Passing drills:
1.1. Passing to dive:
These drills strengthen the dives while passing the ball. This drill helps to practice the perfect hit on the ball and save it from touching the court’s floor. Here’s one of the most basic setups-
- DS stands in the middle back.
- The feeder serves them the ball.
- Then they pass the ball toward the setter position or whatever target they have decided on the court.
- They hustle and try to master the diving while returning the ball from the opposite end.
1.2. Double feeder passing:
This drill strengthens the DS to face continuous ball attacks and enhances quick passing choices for these players. The most common setup in this looks like-
- Two feeders stand on the court with a ball cart filled with balls and face the DS.
- DS has to get and pass the ball from the feeders.
- Feeders serve the ball to the DS simultaneously.
- DS receives these differently-served balls and passes them forward on the court.
1.3. Drill with balloon:
This drill includes a balloon and a ball. It improves the response time, multitasking ability, and the ability of the DS to defend or serve the ball. Here’s what it looks like-
- The feeder stands with one volleyball and the DS player stands with a balloon.
- The player hits the balloon in the air and the feeder tosses the ball simultaneously towards the player.
- The job of the DS is to serve good passes of the ball to the feeder, alternate these hits with the balloon, and keep it in the air.
- The feeder does not help with the ball or balloon. He emphasizes passing fast, slow, or alternate ball serves to the player.
- The player gets pushed farther to hit any kind of serve with the help of this drill.
- Back row hitting drills:
2.1. Back Row 3 on 3:
This drill helps two or more defenders and their teammates communicate with teammates and maintain the serves and hits during the game. It includes steps such as:
- 3 back row players and some additional players behind the end line stand on each side of the court.
- The team’s coach can start the drill by tossing to one side. Coaches can decide the number of attacks, hits, and player rotations to make this drill easier.
- Each player makes the attack and rotates off. Simultaneously, another player behind the end line replaces that position and attacks the next serve.
2.2. 4 on 4 Hitting:
This drill helps the player set their serving strategies and pass the ball with definite hits. It involves elimination throughout the process. It includes steps such as:
- There are 4 players in this drill including one setter and the other 3 back row players.
- These 4 players act as a team and rotate their positions each time the ball crosses the net.
- The setter position player set the ball. The players in the back row focus on passing and killing the serve.
- Each player hits the ball from behind the baseline.
- Whenever a player commits an error or fault, he gets eliminated. After getting eliminated, that player leaves the court.
- The drill lasts till one player is remaining on the court.
- The last player has to pass, set, and kill the serve.
Famous DS in volleyball:
- Lorenzo Bernardi: THE GOAT! This former Italian player won a silver medal in the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. He is a two-time World Champion and a two–time European Champion. He was declared “Volleyball Player of the Century” in 2001. He is known for his excellent hitting, passing, and digging skills.
- Sergio Dutra Santos: Being known as Serginho, this Brazilian player is/was & will be famous for his excellent ball-reading, digging, defending libero, and spike-hitting skills. He won two gold medals in the 2004 and 2016 Olympics, two silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and seven gold and three silver medals in the FIVB World League.
I have created this project out of my passion and love for volleyball because I wanted to help more students than I can physically meet, so these are my starting efforts and I have put my best in this article! If there’s something I’ve missed or you have a suggestion, questions, etc., feel free to leave a comment or go to the contact page, take my email id, and start a conversation. I will be so happy to be in touch.
