Be sure you're using the right kind of digging bar for rocky soil because they come in two types. The other type of digging bar, a spud bar, is suited for tamping soil, not working in rocky soil. It's also worth noting that folks aren't wrong when they call a digging bar a pry bar, but "pry bar" is the overall name of the category that also includes the common hand tool known as a pry bar. You can also use a digging bar for other functions, such as breaking up ice, bricks, and even or concrete. To use your digging bar in rocky soil, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands about a foot apart while grasping the bar.