Law 19: The Libero Player

Each team may designate up to two specialist defensive players, the Liberos.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1.1 · recall

With more than twelve players recorded at FIVB senior level, two Liberos are mandatory.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1.1 · recall

Only one Libero may be on court at a time.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1.3 · recall

The Libero on court is the Acting Libero; the other is the second Libero.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1.3 · recall

The Libero wears a uniform whose dominant colour differs from any colour of the rest of the team.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.2 · recall

Both Liberos may be in uniforms different from each other and from the rest of the team.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.2 · recall

All Liberos are recorded on the score sheet's special Libero lines.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1.2 · recall

C contrasts clearly and carries a number; A and B share the team's dominant grey, and D has no number.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.2 · applied

The Liberos are recorded before the signatures, and the one who takes the court is the Acting Libero.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1.2, 19.1.3, 4.1.3 · recall

One Libero on court, up to two designated, six players in play, up to fourteen on an FIVB senior sheet.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1, 7.3.1, 4.1.1 · recall

The Libero may replace any player in a back-row position.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.1.1 · recall

The ban applies everywhere, playing court and free zone alike.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.1.2 · recall

The Libero may not serve, block or attempt to block.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.1.3 · recall

The restriction applies only to the Libero's overhand finger pass from inside his front zone.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.1.4 · applied

A block attempt needs a reach above the top of the net, which the Libero never made.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 14.1.1, 14.6.6; Casebook 2024 5.21 · applied

The fault is for a classic, intentional finger set; protecting the face is not one.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 13.3.6, 19.3.1.4; Casebook 2024 5.26 · applied

The Libero is not allowed to take part in any substitution.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 15.5.1, 15.7; Casebook 2024 5.3 · recall

Digging in the back zone is the Libero's job; serving, blocking and spiking a ball above the net are forbidden.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.1 · applied

Rotation is clockwise, so a back-row player goes from 1 to 6 to 5 before reaching the front row.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 7.6.2, 19.3.1.1 · recall

A penalty rotation that would put the Libero in the front row is a listed exception.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.1 · applied

Libero replacements are not substitutions and there is no limit on them.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.1 · recall

There must be a completed rally between two Libero replacements, with listed exceptions.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.1 · recall

The Libero cannot enter until the 2nd referee has checked the line-up and authorised the replacement.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.3 · recall

Replacements take place while the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.4 · recall

They may only enter or leave through the Libero Replacement Zone.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.7 · recall

It is not rejected, but at the end of the rally the game captain is told repetition will bring delay sanctions.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.5 · applied

Subsequent late replacements interrupt play immediately and bring a delay sanction.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.6 · applied

Replaying the stopped rally does not complete it, so the Libero has to wait for one that ends in a point.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3, 19.3.2.1, 17.2 · applied

Replacements happen out of play and before the whistle, through their own zone, and are recorded.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.4, 19.3.2.7, 19.3.2.8 · recall

Before the whistle is normal; a first late one is tolerated with a word; a repeat brings a delay sanction.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.4, 19.3.2.5, 19.3.2.6 · applied

The Acting Libero can only be replaced by the regular replacement player for that position or by the second Libero.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.2 · recall

The regular replacement player may replace and be replaced by either Libero.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.2 · recall

Replacing without a completed rally in between is listed as an illegal Libero replacement.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.9 · recall

Noticed before the next rally, the referees correct it and sanction the team for delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.9 · applied

After the service hit, the consequences are those of an illegal substitution.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.9, 15.9.2 · applied

A late service is a completed rally because it gives a point, so the Libero may re-enter.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 6.1.3, 19.3.2.1; Casebook 2024 5.22 · applied

A Libero may never take part in a substitution; caught before play resumes, the request is denied and sanctioned for delay.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 15.5.1, 16.1.3, 19.2; Casebook 2024 5.24 · applied

No. 6 is the player the Libero came on for and No. 2 is the other Libero; Nos. 9 and 14 do not qualify.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.2 · applied

It is treated as an illegal substitution: penalty, correction, then cancellation of points.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2.9, 15.9.2 · applied

A normal exchange is fine, a first late one is tolerated with a word, and the wrong player makes it illegal.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.3.2 · applied

Injury, illness, expulsion or disqualification makes a Libero unable to play.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.1 · recall

The coach, or without a coach the assistant coach or game captain, may make that declaration.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.1 · recall

Any player not on court at that moment may be re-designated, except the regular replacement player.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.2.1 · recall

A Libero who is the subject of a re-designation may not play for the remainder of the match.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.2.2 · recall

If the coach requests the team captain to be re-designated, it is permitted.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.2.5 · recall

The team plays with one Libero; re-designation is allowed only if the remaining Libero cannot continue.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.3.1 · applied

Should a re-designated Libero become unable to play, more re-designations are permitted.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.2.4 · recall

Only players off court qualify, and No. 11, the regular replacement player, is excluded.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.2.1 · applied

The coach informs the 2nd referee, and the new number is recorded in the remarks and on the Libero control sheet.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.4.2.3, 19.4.2.6 · recall

One Libero on court, two on the list, three players in each back row.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 19.1, 7.4.1.2 · recall