On the volleyball court, the Defensive Specialist Volleyball position is rather distinctive.
It’s not very frequent to see someone filling in as a DS because it’s not one of the five core jobs, but it does happen occasionally.
Today, Athleticscare‘ll examine what precisely a Defensive Specialist Volleyball performs, when you might need one, the significance of this position, and the qualities that create a great DS.
Let’s start!
What Is Defensive Specialist Volleyball?
The defensive specialist position in volleyball is designated as DS. Along with the setter, middle blocker, outside hitter, opposite hitter, and libero, this is one of the duties on the team.
Defenders with strong passing and digging skills are known as defensive specialists. Two positions that emphasize ball control are the libero and the DS. Their responsibility is to start each play with a strong pass.
Consistency is what defines a defensive specialist. They are a dependable role player that consistently makes solid passes during serve and receive, consistently digs, effectively covers the field defensively, and potentially serves well.
Defense-focused players are also the ones that fight for every ball and pull off seemingly impossible saves. To be in the right location at the right moment, they require quick reflexes and the ability to read the offense of the other team.
What Is The Difference Between A Libero And A Defensive Specialist Volleyball?
Similar to a libero, the defensive specialist plays the back row, however, they must enter the court rather than changing players like a libero would. The team’s total includes these replacements.
When it is necessary, the DS can play the front row to assist the team’s offense.
The libero is subject to additional rules that the DS is not, regarding touch with the ball above the net. The DS is not constrained to never being able to block or set batters from the front zone.
There is no distinctive uniform for the defensive specialist. The distinctive jersey is just used to make liberos easier to spot so that everyone can follow her movements when she switches out players.
The libero isn’t permitted to serve in international volleyball. As a coach, you could wish to deploy a player who excels on defense and has a strong serve as a DS only for this reason.
According to some coaches, the libero is the main player who receives serves, while the DS is more of a player who concentrates on defense for the remainder of the play. This entails techniques for digging, diving, and covering.
Read more: The 5E Athlete Background: The Basics Guide For Beginners
The Benefits of Playing Defensive Specialist Volleyball
Although the DS and libero positions are quite similar, I greatly prefer to play the DS since you can never play the front as a libero. Many players like the opportunity to play the front row, even if they are not strong hitters.
As a defensive specialist, that’s obviously not where you’ll spend most of your time, but it is a possibility. As a libero, you are aware that you will never be on the front going into the game.
You are a DS with flexibility. The libero will often serve for one of the center blockers if they have a superior serve while swapping out with the other. Your coach has alternatives when deciding who to replace you out with as you are a defensive specialist.
You could get more playing time than you anticipate if you put in the effort to improve your blocking and hitting methods. You can be the greatest choice to help fill in for them if coaches become dissatisfied with one of their batters from time to time.
Why Defensive Specialist Is Potentially The Most Difficult Position On The Team
A coach will frequently provide comments to an athlete. Ideally, it’s generally uplifting and beneficial. When we make mistakes, we anticipate receiving further guidance or criticism.
You are placed in a position as a DS or libero where the coach has more to criticize and less to commend. When you stop to consider it, it is just the role, right or wrong. Every time the ball crosses the net, they depend on you to make the initial contact without error.
All other players have offensive opportunities that provide them the chance to score points and, in a way, make up for the few errors they may make. I’m only pointing out that it’s human nature not to, even though coaches and teammates should laud and cheer for their defensive players just as much as their hitters and setters.
Why Do Teams Need Both A Libero And A Defensive Specialist?
The DS and libero work well together to form such a powerful backcourt. When those 2 players are in the back row, the other 4 players may often concentrate only on the offensive for the duration of rallies.
When they move to the back row, some of the best offensive players turn into extremely poor players. The defensive specialist is able to fill that defensive spot as the libero can only take the place of one of those at once.
Conclusion
A defensive specialist in volleyball is a player who excels in receiving serves, digging attacks, and maintaining a strong back-row defense. This role requires a combination of technical skills, strategic thinking, communication, and mental toughness to effectively contribute to the team’s success.
