The Purpose of the Defensive Specialist

Full disclosure, I am writing this article just as much for me as I am for you. I was a defensive specialist for a majority of my college career and I still don't have a simple answer for the purpose of a defensive specialist. As a newer position in the volleyball world that came to be in 2005 when the number of substitutions increased from 12 to 15 per set, I think it is about time it gets it's spot in the volleyball dictionary.

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Definition of a Defensive Specialist [dih-fen-siv] [spesh-uh-list]

noun

1. Spark-plug. This athlete is a positive energy source for teammates on and off the court. As a part-time player, this individual has a high level of focus and is able to come off the bench and provide team with: aggressive serving, strong serve reception, intense defensive plays, and clear communication. Often very experienced, this player is also a back-row hitting option that can be utilized in- and out-of-system.

2. Stabilizer. This athlete is an incredibly apt serve receiver and it is not unusual for this player to be the best or second best receiver on the team. To take pressure off the libero and outside hitters in serve receive, this player is able to cover approximately 40% of the court and provide accurate passing. It is not unusual for this player to be targeted by the other team's servers and is able to withstand strong serving pressure.

3. Passionate. This player substitutes in for a pin hitter and is determined to not let the ball hit the ground. Working with the Libero, they are engaged throughout entire rallies covering as much of the court as possible. With strong volleyball IQ and smooth movement, it is not unusual for a Defensive Specialist to have more digs during a match than the Libero because of their ability to take care of balls hit or sent over away from the Libero.

Intangible Qualities a Coach Wants to See on the Court

So why isn't this player the Libero? As you can tell from the definition above, it is not because they are not skilled. Most often the separation of the Libero and Defensive Specialists come down to those intangible qualities (not a learned skill or something that you can see) that a coach wants to see on the court.

1. Consistency. It is not enough to be a great part of the time, it is true no one can make every play, but there is a big difference between a passer that get aced 3 times a set vs a passer that gets aced 3 times a match. And this does not just apply to games! One of the tough things about being a Defensive Specialist is that it feels like you get half the opportunities to prove yourself during matches when the truth is you are mostly evaluated during practices! So if you are taking plays off during practice or not giving your full effort because you are "just a Defensive Specialist", you are shooting yourself in the foot.

2. Experience. Behind the Setter, the Libero is a key leadership position. When we say the Libero is in charge of serve receive we aren't just talking about the pass, this player is in charge of the entire play - covering the outside hitter's seam so the hitter can release earlier and get ready to hit, making sure the other passer knows what seam they are covering and reminding the front row to watch for the short serve. This takes understanding of the big picture which comes with experience playing at a certain speed/level.

3. Endurance. Making up for a bad play takes on a different meaning for defensive players because these players are not point scorers. Unlike hitters that can turn a bad pass into a point with a good swing, a Libero can only make up for missing a dig by getting the next one. Mentally and physically, a team needs a Libero that is sturdy - able to take hit after hit after hit and never give up. Whenever a coach can put a player on the court that always believes they can/will make the next play, that team is able to side-out quickly (not give up lots of points) and hold onto the serve (go on a point scoring run of their own)!

1 Key to Being a Great Defensive Specialist

From my own experience, the toughest challenge for a Defensive Specialist stem from the feeling of inadequacy from not being the Libero… But, the Setter does not feel inadequate for not being an Outside Hitter just as a Middle does not feel Inadequate for not being a Libero - the roles are different! It can be easy to fall into the trap of not feeling like enough but it is just as easy to avoid this trap because it is self-made. The key to being a great Defensive Specialist is doing your best and not worrying about the rest. You do not have to wear a different color jersey to make great plays and enjoy being on the court! Give yourself permission to be in the moment and enjoy your teammates. There is only a certain time in your life that you will be able to compete as a high level volleyball athlete and that time goes faster than you think! More than anything, enjoy being a volleyball player and giving it your best.