19.1.1 Each team has the right to designate from the list of players on the score sheet up to two specialist defensive players: Liberos
Volleyball Canada
Teams competing the 14U and 15U age classifications are not permitted to use a Libero in competition
Teams competing in the 16U, 17U and 18U age classifications are permitted to use only one (1) Libero per set
The Libero may be re-designated after each set
The number of the Libero must 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
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 line- up sheet for all sets.
19.1.3 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.
The Libero player(s) must wear a uniform (or jacket/bib for the re-designated 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. Both Liberos can be in uniforms different from each other and from 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.
19.3.1 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)
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 second 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, Diagram 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.
19.4.1 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 re- designated 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 re-designation. 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.
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
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.
19.5.1 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.