Dig
Digging a volleyball is key to most defensive moves. Mastering this skill can enable players to move onto other areas while still be able to play at a basic level. In order to get digging correct, focus on getting your body behind and under the ball, and pointing in the direction that you want the ball to go. The ball should be received on the forearms. To adopt the correct digging position of the arms, place the back of one hand in the palm of the other and bring your thumbs together (so the tips are touching). The top edge of the thumbs should now be in line with the forearms.
To dig the ball concentrate on the movement of the ball. A fast ball should be allowed to bounce off the arms (sometimes you are required to remove some of the bounce), whereas a slow looping ball will require the player to provide some power back into the bounce. Control should not be done by bending the arms at the elbows, but by bending at the knees and redirecting the body.