Libero Rules - do you know them?

 Some of these might be hard to understand, but we will work on them, so you understand. These are taken from the latest Volleyball Canada Rule Book 2020-2021

THE LIBERO PLAYER

19.1 DESIGNATION OF THE LIBERO

19.1.1 Volleyball Canada - Use of only 1 libero is permitted except for 14U and 15U (boys and girls).

Volleyball Canada - the Libero may be re-designated after each set. The number of the Libero must be on the line-up sheet for each set. If the coach decides to re-designate the Libero between sets, the new Libero may be any player registered on the scoresheet. Any re-designated Libero must comply with the uniform rule. The number of the uniform for the re-designated Libero must be the same as that player's number recorded on the scoresheet. The replaced Libero can now act as a regular player, providing he/she has the correct uniform.

19.1.2 All Liberos must be recorded on the score sheet in the special lines reserved for this. Volleyball Canada - The Libero is to be recorded on the score sheet with the team roster, not on the special line. The number of the Libero is to be recorded on the lineup sheet for all sets.

19.1.3 For 2 liberos where used - The Libero on court is the Acting Libero. If there is another Libero, he/she is the second Libero for the team. Only one Libero may be on court at any time. Volleyball Canada - For Volleyball Canada competitions, the team captain cannot be the Libero for the first set of the match. a) If the Libero is redesignated after set 1 or subsequent sets, the redesignated Libero may be the player who is listed on the score sheet as the team captain. b) If the above redesignation occurs, the coach must appoint a new team captain. This is to be recorded in the remarks section of the score sheet. c) At the conclusion of the match, the original team captain is to sign the score sheet.

19.1.4 The Libero cannot be either team captain or game captain at the same time as performing as a Libero.

19.2 EQUIPMENT

The Libero player(s) must wear a uniform (OR JACKET/BIB FOR THE REDESIGNATED Libero) which has a different dominant colour from any colour of the rest of the team. The uniform must clearly contrast with the rest of the team. The Libero uniforms must be numbered like the rest of the team. Volleyball Canada - The Libero must wear a uniform which has a different dominant colour from any dominant colour of the team jersey.

19.3 ACTIONS INVOLVING THE LIBERO

19.3.1 The playing actions 19.3.1.1 The Libero is allowed to replace any player in a back-row position.

19.3.1.2 He/she is restricted to perform as a back-row player and is not allowed to complete an attack hit from anywhere (including playing court and free zone) if at the moment of the contact, the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net.

19.3.1.3 He/she may not serve, block or attempt to block.

19.3.1.4 A player may not complete an attack hit when the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net, if the ball is coming from an overhand finger pass by a Libero in his/her front zone. The ball may be freely attacked if the Libero makes the same action from outside his/her front zone.

19.3.2 Libero Replacements

19.3.2.1 Libero Replacements are not counted as substitutions. They are unlimited, but there must be a completed rally between two Libero replacements(unless a penalty causes the team to rotate and the Libero to move to position four, or the Acting Libero becomes unable to play, making the rally incomplete). (Also See Rules 15.5, 6.1.3) The Libero can only be replaced by the player whom he/she replaced.

19.3.2.2 The regular replacement player may replace and be replaced by either Libero. The Acting Libero can only be replaced by the regular replacement player for that position or by the second Libero.

19.3.2.3 At the start of each set, the Libero cannot enter the court until the 2nd referee has checked the line-up and authorised a Libero replacement with a starting player.

19.3.2.4 Other Libero replacements must only take place while the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service.

19.3.2.5 A Libero replacement made after the whistle for service but before the service hit should not be rejected; however, at the end of the rally, the game captain must be informed that this is not a permitted procedure, and that repetition will be subject to delay sanctions.

19.3.2.6 Subsequent late Libero replacements shall result in the play being interrupted immediately and the imposition of a delay sanction. The team to serve next will be determined by the level of the delay sanction.

19.3.2.7 The Libero and the replacing player may only enter or leave the court through the "Libero Replacement Zone" (Also see Rules 1.4.4., 7.5.1., D. 1b).

19.3.2.8 Libero replacements must be recorded in the Libero Control Sheet (if one is used) or on the electronic score sheet.

19.3.2.9 An illegal Libero replacement can involve (amongst others): - No completed rally between Libero replacements - The Libero being replaced by a player other than the second Libero or the regular replacement player. An illegal Libero replacement should be considered in the same way as an illegal substitution: - should the illegal Libero replacement be noticed before the start of the next rally, then this is corrected by the referees, and the team is sanctioned for delay; - should the illegal Libero replacement be noticed after the service hit, the consequences are the same as for an illegal substitution.

19.4 RE-DESIGNATION OF A NEW LIBERO

19.4.1 The Libero becomes unable to play if injured, ill, expelled or disqualified. The Libero can be declared unable to play for any reason by the coach or, in the absence of a coach, by the game captain.

19.4.2 Team with one Libero

19.4.2.1 When only one Libero is available for a team according to Rule 19.4.1, or the team has only one registered, and this Libero becomes or is declared unable to play, the coach (or game captain if no coach is present) may re-designate as Libero for the remainder of the match any other player (replacement player excepted) not on the court at the moment of the re-designation.

19.4.2.2 If the Acting Libero becomes unable to play, he/she may be replaced by the regular replacement player or immediately and directly to court by a redesignated Libero. However, a Libero who is the subject of a re-designation may not play for the remainder of the match. If the Libero is not on court when declared unable to play, he/she may also be the subject of a redesignation. The Libero declared unable to play may not play for the remainder of the match.

19.4.2.3 The coach, or game captain if no coach is present, contacts the second referee informing him/her about the re-designation.

19.4.2.4 Should a re-designated Libero become or be declared unable to play, further re-designations are permitted.

19.4.2.5 If the coach requests the team captain to be re-designated as the new Libero, this will be permitted – but the team captain must in this case relinquish all leadership privileges.

19.4.2.6 In the case of a re-designated Libero, the number of the player redesignated as Libero must be recorded on the score sheet remarks section and on the Libero control sheet (or electronic score sheet if one is used).

19.4.3 Team with two Liberos

19.4.3.1 Where a team has registered on the score sheet two Liberos, but one becomes unable to play the team has the right to play with only one Libero. No re-designation will be allowed, however, unless the remaining Libero is unable to continue playing for the match.

19.5 SUMMARY

19.5.1 If the Libero is expelled or disqualified, he/she may be replaced immediately by the team’s second Libero. Should the team have only one Libero, then it has the right to make a re-designation.