What is a Libero in Volleyball: The Game’s Most Unique Position Explained
“Everybody likes the guy who works hard. Nobody likes the guy who tells you how hard he works.” – Lloy Ball
For fans of volleyball, this quote was once made by Lloy Ball, a four-time Olympian volleyball player who played as a setter. But behind or beside the setter, mostly at the back row, is the “Libero” who is arguably the team’s most hardworking player.
So who exactly is a Libero? What is the role of libero in volleyball, what are their responsibilities and key strengths, and what makes them unique? We answer these questions and much more in this article.
What is a Libero?
So what is a Libero in Volleyball?
For starters, the word “Libero” is Italian for free, and this translation gives us insight into their job. It also serves as a paradox of sorts for their roles in the back row of a typical six-player volleyball team.
For one, a Libero is the only player in a volleyball team that can freely substitute in and out of a game in the back row–without reaching the limit per set.
They usually wear a different jersey to the rest of the team so a game official can keep tabs on them throughout. This is even as they can only be replaced by the same player they replace. Away from that, a Libero is often known as the team’s defense specialist, the “ball control” go-to and the best passer as well.
As for the question of what is Libero position in volleyball, the answer is broadly “back-row,” mostly left position. They also have clearly defined roles and limitations on the court, as you’ll learn shortly.
The Libero: Roles, Responsibilities and Qualities
The next question is “what does Libero do in Volleyball,” and the answer is pretty simple. The Libero is the first line of defense in a Volleyball team. When the opposing team serves the ball or spikes it over the net, the Libero is very often the first point of contact with the ball at the other end. He or she gets to gather the ball before it hits the ground, often while passing it to the setter. The setter then rolls it further for the hitter to return the ball–all under three touches.
This means that the Libero has to be on guard at all times. They get to dive in low to pass the ball and scuttle quickly across the court to scoop low balls, all while playing within the rules. Their job takes grit and they pass the ball more frequently than others. They also need a special set of skills and qualities to perform well as discussed below.
Good Passing and Ball Controlling
A Libero has to be very good at passing and controlling play.Their passing usually kickstarts play by starting off the serve receive in a move that ends with the setter setting up the hitter for a shot. This passing will typically come off quickly from a powerful opposing team’s serve. But it will still need to find a setter to set up nicely for a hitter’s spike.
Digging Master
The Libero also gets to do a lot of digging (or receiving) throughout the game. This means claiming the ball from attacks that get past the front block. For this job, they need all the reflexes, anticipation skills and agility they can summon to make defensive saves out of seemingly lost points.
Court Awareness and Communication
Liberos tend to be the most involved players on the court, capable of dictating play at all times and forming a visible presence. Their job needs them to be vocal as they call out plays while leading from the backcourt and directing their teammates.
The Limitations of a Libero
The Libero is not always “free” to make certain moves on the court as per Federation Internationale de Volleyball rules. Their role and movement comes with certain limitations shown below.
- They can’t block or attempt to block
- They can’t set the ball for a hitter in the front of the court
- They can’t hit the ball above the net when the ball is above the net.
- They can’t serve
What Makes The Libero Special
The hitters will most likely get a chunk of the praise, but the libero’s presence on the court is always key. For nearly every powerful spike that wins you points, there’s a libero plugging away a few paces behind and seconds earlier. Their coaches value their work and their teammates rely on them and trust them. As Hugh McCutcheon once said, “trust is the currency that makes all high functioning teams work.” This trust in their abilities spurs them to dig in deeper and turn near-misses into match points.
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Conclusion
This article has been able to explain what a libero is in volleyball. The Libero may not come up with all the powerful jumps and point-winning spikes like hitters do. Yet, their job is no less important. Some may even say their job is difficult – the dirty job, with all the digging in and low all-in backcourt dives. They are the defensive backbone of every volleyball team, and every winning team surely needs one.
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