The Dig Debate: Statistics 101

“Player A led the team with 35 digs, despite their loss in three sets to Team B”. 

Excuse me, what? Thats A LOT of digs in three sets. 

Yes, there are times where statistics may come into question.  However, when the numbers do not add up, that is when there are some major discrepancies (especially for liberos) in regards to how many digs possible they can have. 

Why is this a problem?  I wouldn’t even say it is a problem (in most cases).  This is actually getting much better with automated stats on the iPad and teams even using Hudl to have them automate their stats.  However, there are still cases when the iPad or the clipboard is handed to someone who really isn’t sure what is considered a “Dig” in most cases.  Here is the official definition from the WIAA (Wisconsin) Statistics Guide for Volleyball: 

“Digs (D) – A dig is only awarded when a defensive player successfully passes a ball that has been determined to be an attack attempt by the opponent. If an opponent’s hit over the net is not determined as an attack attempt (i.e. when a player is just trying to get the ball over the net to avoid a four-hit violation), NO dig is awarded.”

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union also has put out helpful hints for statistics in volleyball that was provided by the NCAA in their document of “NCAA Tips for Volleyball Statistics”: 

“DIG  

A dig is never awarded when a team brings up a ball that remains on their side of the net via a blocking action (commonly called a cover or continue in Stat Crew, or a “putback”) – only on an attacked ball.  

A dig can result from bringing up a tipped ball, not just a hard-hit attack. 

A serve reception does not count as a dig. 

In the situation where a player digs the ball and the next player kills the ball, award the player who dug the ball the dig and the assist.  

Team A’s digs CANNOT total more than the opponent’s total attacks minus their kills and errors. Those are the ONLY balls that can be dug.”

In the high school game, there is not an official “Stat Crew” that you would have at the college level that is keeping stats for both teams, the team is just taking statistics for their own side of the net.  The ones who are keeping statistics need to be well informed of the rules (and I know there are some great stat keepers out there and kudos to them).  

If there is a team who has more digs than their opponent attacks that would be incorrect.  In order for a dig to be tallied, there must be an attack from the other side of the net. Next question, “What Is An Attack”? 

“ATTACK  

An attack is awarded off a tipped ball — it doesn’t have to be a hard-hit attack in order to count. Attack is the term used for the strategic hit, not the power used on the play. Any ball played over the net in an attempt to score a point should be considered an attack.  

Desperation hits or those simply to keep the ball alive count as free balls and no attack is awarded and no dig is given to the opponent. “

Receiving a free ball is not considered a dig because it is not coming from an attack.  

As the game grows, so is the demand for measurable numbers, statistics.  The fact people are talking about these numbers is great. However, it is also important that the correct information is passed along. 

For a little refresher, here is the link to the “NCAA Tips For Volleyball Statistics”