Both the team captain and the coach are responsible for the conduct and discipline of their team members. (VC Guideline 5.1)
The Liberos can be either the team or game captain.
5.1.1 PRIOR TO THE MATCH, the team captain represents his/her team in the toss, then signs the score sheet. (VC Guidelines 4.3; 4.4)
5.1.2 DURING THE MATCH and while on the court, the team captain is the game captain. When the team captain is not on the court, the coach or the team captain must assign another player on the court, to assume the role of game captain. This game captain maintains his/her responsibilities until he/she is substituted, or the team captain returns to play, or the set ends. (FIVB Casebook 1.03; 1.06)
When the ball is out of play, only the game captain is authorized to speak to the referees:
5.1.2.1 to ask for an explanation on the application or interpretation of the Rules, and also to submit the requests or questions of his/her team-mates. If the game captain does not agree with the explanation of the first referee, he/she may choose to protest against such decision and immediately indicates to the first referee that he/she reserves the right to record an official protest on the score sheet at the end of the match (Rule 23.2.4; VC Guidelines 5.3; FIVB Casebook 1.05; 1.06).
5.1.2.2 to ask authorization: (FIVB Casebook 1.04)
a) to change all or part of the equipment
b) to verify the positions of the teams
c) to check the floor, the net, the ball, etc.
5.1.2.3 In the absence of the coach unless the team has an assistant coach who has overtaken the coach’s functions to request time-outs and substitutions (Rule 15.2.1, 15.4, 15.5; FIVB Casebook 1.03).
5.1.3 AT THE END OF THE MATCH, the team captain:
5.1.3.1 thanks the referees and signs the score sheet to ratify the result;
5.1.3.2 may, when it has been notified in due time to the first referee, confirm and record on the score sheet an official protest regarding the referee's application or interpretation of the Rules.
(VC Guidelines 4.8; FIVB Casebook 1.07; 1.09; 1.11)
5.2.1 Throughout the match, the coach conducts the play of his/her team from outside the playing court. He/she selects the starting line-ups, the substitutes, and takes time-outs. In these functions, his/her contacting official is the second referee. (VC Guidelines 5.4; FIVB Casebook 1.07; 1.08)
5.2.2 PRIOR TO THE MATCH, the coach records or checks the names and numbers of his/her players on the scoresheet team roster, and then signs it. (VC Guidelines 4.3)
5.2.3 DURING THE MATCH, the coach:
5.2.3.1 prior to each set, gives the second referee or the scorer the line-up sheet(s) duly filled in and signed; If Tablet apps are used, the electronic submission of the line-up is automatically deemed to be official (FIVB Casebook 1.07; 1.08)
Volleyball Canada - 18U and younger competitions, the head coach must sign the score sheet at the completion of the match.
5.2.3.2 sits on the team bench, but may leave it; (VC Guidelines 5.5)
5.2.3.3 requests time-outs and substitutions. (VC Guidelines 5.4; FIVB Casebook 1.09)
All time-outs and substitutions are to be requested by the Coach from the end of the bench nearest to the scorer when he/she is sitting or from the extension of the attack line in the free zone when he/she is standing or walking.
5.2.3.4 may, as well as other team members, give instructions to the players on the court. The coach may give these instructions while standing or walking within the free zone in front of his/her team’s bench from the extension of the attack line up to the warm-up area, if situated in the corner of the Competition Control Area, without disturbing or delaying the match. Should the warm-up area be situated behind the team bench, then the coach may move from the extension of the attack line to the end of his/her team’s court, but without obstructing the view of the line judges. (FIVB Casebook 1.06; 1.08)
5.3.1 With the exception of the chair nearest to the scorer, the assistant coach sits on the team bench, but has no right to intervene in the match. (VC Guidelines 5.5; FIVB Casebook 1.07; 1.10)
5.3.2 Should the coach have to leave his/her team for any reason including sanction, but excluding entering the court as a player, an assistant coach may assume the coach's functions for the duration of the absence, once confirmed to the referee by the game captain.