Introduction:
If you have visited or seen a volleyball match, you may have observed a player with a contrasting jersey on the playing team. This player has higher defense and prompt athletic skills. Well, this player is none other than a Libero!
Being a defensive volleyball player, I like the Libero position the most! I helped my college volleyball team win matches against East Carolina University and Radford University during NCAA Division 1 conferences in past years. Just as fascinating as it sounds, a Libero player is a specialized defensive team member who stays in the back row.
What Is A Libero?
Before 1998, A Libero player did not even exist. In 2002, Libero players were introduced in 2002 in NCAA competitions. The availability of a Libero makes the front-row offensive hitters secure to face any defensive serves from the opponent team. Along with the best defense, Liberos are the best passers on the team.
How Many Liberos Can Be There In A Volleyball Team?
Each match can have one or two (maximum) Liberos according to the team’s requirements. However, it is completely optional to use a Libero. Usually, tough and high-level competitions always have Liberos. Recreational volleyball may or may not have Libero.
According to section 19.1.1 in the FIVB Rulebook, the World and Official Seniors competitions can use 2 Liberos at the most if the team has 12 players onboarded. The Libero on the court is called an ‘Acting Libero’. If there is another Libero, he is called ‘the Second Libero’.
To know more about a Libero player, you can refer to this video:
What Is A Libero In Volleyball? | Libero Basics Explained
What Does A Libero Do in Volleyball?
Volleyball coaches of respective teams decide the working, positioning, and roles of the Libero for a match. Their roles may differ according to their skills, age, position on the court, etc. Here is the basic information on ‘What does a Libero do in volleyball?’:
- If a player is the best passer and is not required in the front row, he becomes the Acting Libero for the team.
- Liberos also act as the second setters if required. If the original setter of the team digs the ball, a Libero sets that ball to the front-row hitter of the team.
- If Libero is needed to set the ball, he must stand beyond the 3-meter line for an overhand set. If he steps on the line or stands closer to the net, the ball cannot be attacked above the middle net.
- He can pass the ball with an underhand from any part of the court.
- Libero passes the ball most of the time. If there is a player and a Libero in a situation where the ball needs to be passed, then the Libero gets the preference to pass the ball.
- If there is a second Libero, acting and second Libero get equal time to pass or defend the ball during the match for younger teams. One Libero is sufficient for older and more competitive teams.
To know more about the role of Libero position in Voleyaball, you can watch this video:
How the basics of the Libero Position work in Volleyball 🏐
Rules For Libero:
Like all player positions, Liberos also have some important rules to follow. These rules regulate the play and fairness for both teams during the match. According to chapter 6 of FIVB rulebook 2024, a Libero player has the following rules:
- All Libero players’ positions must be on the score sheets in the volleyball match. The referees or officiating team must write a record of Liberos subs in and out for playing teams.
- Lberos are not allowed to serve or block the ball. They are not allowed to rotate to the front.
- Libero players must wear a contrasting and dominant color jersey according to the color of their team’s jersey.
- Their uniforms must be numbered like the rest of the uniforms of the team players.
- A re-designated Libero must wear the same colored, and style jersey as the original Libero during World and Official competitions. However, he can have his number.
- Liberos do not substitute in and out of the match. They run onto or off the court during a dead ball and switch their ‘subs’.
- Liberos ‘subs’ are not included in the total substitution limit of their team.
- They can replace players in the back-row positions when the ball is not in play.
- Liberos can switch with their team’s middle blockers when they have rotation in the back row. But, here is a point to note the middle blockers rotate less in the back row because they are trained to strongly block or offend the upcoming ball from the front row.
- Liberos are positioned in the left or middle of the back row of the court so that they can easily defend and pass the ball from the opposite team.
- Liberos can pass, defend, or set (in some cases) the ball, but not serve. In 2024, the Liberos will be allowed to serve only in specific rotations.
FAQs:
- Why does the Libero wear a different color?
Libero is a defense specialist. Their unique and contrasting colored jersey makes the viewers and referee understand the position. Referees can observe a Libero’s correct way of playing according to rules as they are easily recognizable with different colored jerseys.
- Can a Libero get replaced with anyone?
Liberos can rotate back-row player positions only according to the FIVB rules for volleyball. But these replacements are not counted as substitutions. There must be one rally between the replacement of two Liberos.
Conclusion:
I hope this article ‘What does a Libero do in volleyball’ has given you meaningful insights into Libero’s roles, skills, and rules for a volleyball match. Becoming a Libero is a great opportunity to showcase your strong defending and passing skills. With unique rules and advantages, a Libero can turn the game towards their team!
