LINE UP LIBERO REQUIREMENTS

in the service order in that set, even with a legal double replacement, this is considered an illegal replacement, and the referees may intervene and assess a delay sanction (NCAA 6.3.2.11; 19.3.2.9). In NFHS, if detected before the authorization of service, an unnecessary delay is charged to the offending team. If detected after authorization of service, an illegal alignment results and a loss of rally/point is awarded to the offended team (10-4-5a Pen. 1).

Liberos May Not …

All rule codes restrict the libero to perform as a back-row player who is not allowed to complete an attack-hit from anywhere on the playing surface if, at the moment of contact, the ball is totally above the height of the net. The libero may not rotate to the front row, block or even attempt to block. And, in an effort to keep teams from using liberos as primary setters, the libero may not use finger action to set the ball in the attack zone if this results in a completed attack by a teammate on the next contact when the ball is totally above net height. All of these actions result in a loss of rally/point awarded to the opponent (NFHS 9-5-6; NCAA 12.1.2; USAV 19.3.1). When it comes to the libero position, work as a crew to make sure you know what the libero is and isn’t doing throughout the match. Rely on the table crew to assist with replacements and work with your partner to judge the actions of the libero during play to make sure that player doesn’t do anything illegal. If using headsets, communicate anytime there is a replacement and if the libero is involved in playing action, a simple “that’s good” should suffice to keep away from inadvertent whistles. Rick Brown, Westerville, Ohio, is a longtime high school volleyball referee, working 22 state tournaments. He is a state and local rules interpreter, USAV Regional Referee and formerly a PAVO National Line Judge, working multiple D-I postseason matches. *