by Jengy Pie

Created on: July 08, 2009   Last Updated: July 10, 2009

BACKGROUND

The libero is a designated member of the team, wearing a characteristic jersey, who is able to replace any player only in the back court (i.e. one of the three players currently in the back row) at any time while the ball is out of play. This replacement can be done any amount of times (there's no limit). The libero is not allowed to exchange for a front court player. When the libero is to come off, the player that they exchanged for must be returned to the court, and not anyone else. Recently, the libero has been allowed to be the server. Finally, the libero is not allowed to make an attacking play when within three metres of the net, with an attacking play being defined as sending the ball over the net into the opponents court from above the height of the net (e.g. spiking or tapping).

WHO SHOULD THE LIBERO BE?

Given the restrictions placed on the libero, they should generally meet a combination of the criteria below (ideally all of them):
- The best digger (defensive player, diving, pick ups, etc)
- Agile
- Excellent court placement
- The best back court spiker
- One of the best servers
- Possibly a back court setter (depending on team strategy)
- Not an invaluable front-court player (e.g. excellent blocker, best spiker on the team)

WHAT IS THEIR ROLE?

The libero can be invaluable in a number of volleyball scenarios. It is also very important to consider the oppositions' strengths to determine the timing of introducing the libero into play. For example:
- if the opposing team has an excellent jump server, which is difficult to pick up to organize an attack on your side of the net, then a libero can be placed on your side of the court as a specialist digger to control the opponents serve.
- if the opposing team has a number of excellent spikers, then a libero can be put on court when those spikers are in the front row of the opposing team. This allows the libero to make crucial pick-ups from the opponent's spikes, and save valuable points.
- if it is a crucial point and it's your team's turn to serve, then the libero can be put on to deliver the serve as a specialist server.
- if the team formation is such that there is a back court setter (thereby leaving three front court spikers) then the libero can be rotated on as a specialist setter.

As I have outlined, the libero represents another tactical tool that the coach can utilize to, in many cases, dramatically alter the course of play and provide significant contributions to the team as a specialist player.

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