The Libero Player

12.1 The Libero Player

One libero player may be designated for each set by indicating that player’s number on the lineup sheet for that set. If a libero is not listed on the lineup sheet for a set, the team may not use a libero in that set. The libero may be designated as the playing captain.

12.1.2 Playing Actions

12.1.2.1 The libero is restricted to perform as a back-row player and is not allowed to complete an attack-hit from anywhere (including the playing court and free zone) if, at the moment of contact, the ball is entirely above the top of the net. (See Rule 14.5.1 and Signal 24, Official’s Mechanics.) 12.1.2.2 The libero may not block or attempt to block. (See Rule 14.6.1.) 12.1.2.3 In one rotation, the libero may replace the player in position No. 1 to

serve. (See Rule 10.2.1.)

12.1.2.4 A teammate may not complete an attack-hit when, at the moment of the attack-hit, the ball is entirely above the top of the net and the ball is coming from an overhand finger pass by a libero in the front zone or the opponent’s free zone. (See Signal 24, Official’s Mechanics, then indicate the libero.) The ball may be freely attacked if the libero makes the same action from behind the front zone. If airborne, the libero’s position is judged according to the point of last contact with her team’s court.

12.1.3 Uniforms

12.1.3.1 The libero must wear a uniform shirt or jersey that is immediately recognized from all angles as being in clear contrast to and distinct from the other members of the team. The primary color of the libero’s jersey/shirt must be different from any color that appears on more than 25 percent of the body of her teammates’ jerseys. In determining the body of the uniforms, the sleeves and collar should be ignored.

12.1.3.2 The libero shirt or jersey must have a visible legal number. (See Rule 7.1.2.)

12.1.3.3 The style and trim of the libero’s shirt or jersey may differ from her teammates’, but her shorts must be identical to her teammates’.

FOR 2013

12.1.3.1 Solid Color Uniforms: Beginning in the 2013 season, it will be required that either the libero or her teammates wear a solid color jersey. The solid-colored uniform must clearly contrast from the predominant color(s) of the teammate(s) jerseys. Predominant colors are those that

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appear on approximately half of the body of the uniform. To be considered solid colored:

12.1.3.1.1 Sleeves must be the same color as the body of the jersey.

12.1.3.1.2 Piping/trim not exceeding 1 inch in total at its widest point may be placed along the seams and be a different color(s) than the uniform top. 12.1.3.1.3 Lettering and collars can be a different color than the body of the jersey. 12.1.3.1.4 Numbers must be a contrasting color and meet all other specifications

in Rule 7.1.2.

12.2 Libero Replacements

12.2.1.1 The libero is allowed to replace any player in a back-row position. 12.2.1.2 Replacements involving the libero are not counted as substitutions

and are unlimited. There must be at least one completed rally between two libero replacements, unless the libero is replacing the player in position No. 1 and is the next correct server, the libero is ill or injured (See Rule 12.3.1), or there is a forced rotation caused by a penalty. The libero can only be replaced by the player whom she replaced. An incorrect libero replacement results in a delay sanction if the officials identify and correct the situation before the next service contact. If identified after service contact, a position fault results.

12.2.2 Procedure

12.2.2.1 Replacements can only take place after a completed rally or at the start of each set after the second referee has verified the starting lineup. The replacement must occur while the ball is out of play and before the authorization for service. A replacement made after the authorization for service but before service contact is not rejected, but a verbal warning is issued. Subsequent late replacements in the match result in a delay sanction. 12.2.2.2 Replacements cannot occur during a timeout.

12.2.2.3 The libero and the player replaced by the libero must enter or leave the court only by the sideline in front of their team bench between the attack line and the end line. A delay sanction is assessed for improper libero replacement procedures. (Exception: In one rotation, the libero can replace the player in position No. 1 and serve the next rally even if she is already on the court in replacement of another player. In this situation, the libero does not have to exit the court before replacing the player in position No. 1.)

12.3 Injuries

12.3.1.1 If the libero is injured and cannot continue play, a new libero may be redesignated using the following criteria:

12.3.1.1.1 Redesignation does not need to occur immediately after the injury and replacement, but may occur at the discretion of the coach(es)/ captain.

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12.3.1.1.2 When redesignation does occur, any substitute may be redesignated as libero for the injured libero. The injured libero may not play in the remainder of that set.

12.3.1.1.3 The player redesignated as libero must wear a libero uniform as described in Rule 12.1.3 and must remain the libero for the remainder of that set. The redesignated libero’s uniform must have a unique number (not worn by any teammate), but not necessarily the same number with which the player started the match.

12.3.1.2 If the libero is expelled or disqualified while playing, she must be replaced by the player whom she replaced. The team continues play with no libero player.

12.3.2 Libero and Exceptional Substitutions

12.3.2.1 The libero may be used as an exceptional substitution for an injured player if no other possible substitutes exist. When no longer playing as a libero, that player must wear the same uniform as her teammates, and the team continues play with no libero. (See Rule 11.3.6.1.2.3.)

12.3.2.2 The libero may not be used as a substitute for an expelled or disqualified teammate. If no legal substitute is available for an expelled or disqualified teammate, that team is declared incomplete and defaults the set or match, as appropriate. (See Rule 8.5.2.2.)

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RULE 13