LIBERO POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. The libero must wear a uniform top that is immediately recognized from all angles as being in clear contrast to and distinct from the other members of the team.
1. The style and trim may be different, but her shorts must be like-colored to her teammates.
2. The primary color of the libero’s uniform top must be different from any color that appears on her teammate’s uniform top.

i. If a team wears uniforms tops that have multiple colors (non-pattern) or blocks of color (solid color front and back with wide stripes of color under the arms and/or across the shoulders), it is preferred that the libero uniform be a solid shirt color in a contrasting color.

ii. If a team is wearing a uniform as described in 1.b.i (above), it is illegal for the libero to wear a uniform top that is the opposite colors of the uniform top.

iii. If the libero uniform is not contrasting, she may be asked to wear a different uniform. If an alternative uniform is not available, allow her to wear the uniform and then contact the NSAA.

3. The libero uniform number must be a legal number not worn by any of her teammates.

2. The libero must be designated on the line-up sheet at the beginning of each game.
1. Some line-up sheets do not have a designated space for the libero. It may be listed anywhere on the line-up sheet that is very obvious to the scorekeeper and the umpire.
2. If prior to the beginning of the game, the two teams’ players shake hands at the net, it is okay if the libero accompanies her team.
3. As the umpire checks the lineups prior to the start of each game, it is appropriate for the libero to be standing close to the court. Once the lineup has been checked, the umpire can give a signal similar to the substitution exchange ‘sweep’ to the libero, indicating that is okay for her to enter.
4. After checking both team lineups and signaling the libero(s) to enter, check again with the libero tracker to ensure they saw the exchange(s).

3. The libero must always be in the correct alignment as the player they replaced.
1. The libero is playing in place of a specific player and must always maintain the same alignment as the replaced player.
2. It is not necessary (and highly recommended not to) for the umpire to track the libero replacements. If the umpire finds it necessary to know which player the libero replaced, then put (parentheses) on the line-up card around the replaced player at the first replacement.
3. In general, the libero only replaces two different players and those players are in opposite positions from each other.

4. If the umpire is notified by the libero tracker that a libero did not sit out for a rally:
1. If the umpire is notified before the next serve is initiated, the problem should be fixed immediately.
2. If the umpire is notified after the next serve has been contacted, the team is out of rotation (NFHS Signal #1) which results in a point/loss of rally.

5. The libero tracker can use any form to track the libero, but the NFHS form is the preferred form.
1. The libero tracker must have the line-up on their sheet at all times. The libero tracker must also track the substitutions, in case the libero replaces another player that has been substituted.
2. Instructions for the libero tracker should include:

i. Enter the libero’s number in the libero box on the libero tracking form and the starting players’ numbers in each of the columns that correspond to the same side of the court that each team starts on.

ii. When the libero enters, slash the player number and enter ‘L’.

iii. When the libero leaves, slash the ‘L’ and enter the returning player number.

iv. If a regular sub occurs, slash the player number and enter the new number.

v. The player that was replaced by the libero must be the player that replaces the libero. (think of the libero replacement as a ‘sandwich’ 17/L/17)

6. The libero cannot set any attacker using a hand set while in the front of the attack line.
1. A definition of an attack is – Any action (other than a block or a serve) that directs the ball toward the opponent’s court.

i. A team’ third hit is always considered an attack.

2. An attack is completed the instant the ball completely crosses the vertical plane of the net, or is legally blocked.

i. Spikes, tips, dumps and overhead pass (two-hand finger action directing the ball over the net) are all considered to be attacks.

3. It is an illegal attack by the libero, if an attacker (in front or behind the attack line) contacts a ball that is higher than the top of the net, that has been hand set by a libero in front of the attack line.

i. The signal (NFHS Signal # 8) for this violation is illegal back row attack (by the libero), as the contact did not become illegal until the attacker contacted the ball above the height of the net or the ball is legally blocked.

7. The libero is restricted from attacking a ball from anywhere on the court, if at the moment of contact the ball is entirely above the top of the net.
1. It is legal for a libero player on or in front of the attack line to play the ball over the net as long as the ball is below the top of the net (when it is contacted).

8. Libero replacements must occur between the attack line and the end line.
1. If the libero replacements are not occurring between the attack line and the end line, the umpire must address this action.
2. Remind the libero and the player she is replacing they MUST stay out of the substitution zone to avoid being considered a substitution.