A libero is: A back row player Only one libero can be designated per set, but another can be redesignated between sets May be the team captain May be used as an exception substitution for an injured player if no other legal substitutes are available.

A libero shall not: Complete an attack from anywhere if, at the moment of contact, the ball is entirely above the height of the net; Set the ball using overhand finger action while on or in front of the attack line extended, resulting in a completed attack above the height of the net; Block or attempt to block; Rotate to the front row; Replace a disqualified player; Serve in more than one position in the serving order.

Libero Miscellanea Libero replacement shall be made between the attack line and the end line. Any player potentially designated as a libero may be designated on the roster with two numbers, i.e. 14/L7 If the libero is disqualified, the team continues without a libero (for that set)

Over the Net Calls A player shall not contact a ball which is completely on the opponent’s side of the net unless the contact is a legal block.

Blocking Over the Net Blocking the ball on the opponent’s side of the net is legal when the opposing team has had an opportunity to complete its attack. The attack is considered complete when: 1. The attacking team has used all three hits; 2. The attacking team has had the opportunity to complete the attack or, in the referee’s judgment, directs the ball towards the opponent’s court; 3. The ball is falling near the net and, in the referee’s judgment, no legal member of the attacking team could make a play on the ball.

Attacking Above the Net A ball may be attacked, excluding a served ball, when it has partially crossed the net.

Pre-Game Procedures During the pre-match introductions, the officiating crew should be opposite the scorer's table on the sideline near the R1’s platform. The R1 stands along the sideline on the right of the stand, with the R1 closest to the net. The R2 stands along the sideline on the left of the stand, with the R2 closest to the net.

Pre-Game Procedures After announcement/national anthem (if any), the R1 shall blow a whistle directing teams to shake hands prior to the match. After shaking hands the teams do not return to their benches, but assume their positions on the court.

Pre-Game Procedures R2s will check the floor lineups using their line-up card – NOT the coaches' line up sheets. The R2 checks the receiving team’s line-up from the SIDELINE. Once the R2 has completed his check, the R2 instructs the libero (if any) that they may enter the court). The R2 then checks the serving team and instructs the libero to enter. The R2 identifies the teams’ captains to the referee. The captains acknowledge by waving or nodding. (The only time they need to do this is prior to the first set, unless the captain changes in subsequent sets). The R2 takes the ball from the scorer’s table and rolls to the server. The R2 assumes the proper position on the receiving team’s side of the court, verifies the SK is ready, puts whistle in his/her mouth, scans the court, and then signals readiness by returning the court to the R1.

R2 Signals Net violations and Center Line Violations, blow the whistle loud Step to the side of the violating team and plant your feet Do NOT step forward. Do NOT touch the net or pole Give an “air net” signal or point to the center line. Give the number of the player in the net/under the net. Mimic the R1s result signal

R2 Signals At the end of the rally, not involving a net/center line violation, step away from the pole, so that your entire signal, including the result signal, can be seen. (It is not a requirement to step to the violating team’s side of the net) Plant your feet. Mimic the signals of the R1.

R2 Signals R1s – give the R2 the time to get in position – the only thing the R1 has to do fast is blow the whistle. Blow whistle (pause) give result signal (pause) give violation signal. It looks good when the R1 and R2 are in synch with their signals.

R2 Signals For timeouts and substitutions, it is not necessary for the R2 to step to the requesting team’s side of the net. For timeouts, step away from the pole, plant, make timeout signal and point to that team’s court. At the end of the timeout, the R2 scans the court for readiness and returns the court to the R1.

R2 Signals For substitutions, the R2 does not need to move from the vicinity of the center line extended. Blow the whistle, signal substitution and vocalize the number of the subs, “On the left – 12 for 8 and 20 for 13”, then say “Go” and signal their entrance by a forehand sweeping gesture (not a backhand one). If multiple subs, pivot and handle the other team’s. After entering the information on your lineup card, verify the scorekeeper has the information. Step to the receiving team side of the net, put your whistle in your mouth, scan the court and return the match to the R1. The R1 should not beckon for serve until the R2 has returned the court to him/her.

R2 and Antenna Calls During rallies, the R2 positions him/herself to see whether the ball hits the antenna above or below the top of the net. When the ball is shanked outside the court in front of one of the team’s benches, the R2 steps towards the court to get a better view of the antenna should the next pass move in that direction. When the ball is shanked outside the R1’s side of the court, the R2 should move down the sideline to get a better angle on the R1s antenna.