Libero The Libero position has existed in volleyball since 1998.

Section 19 of the USAV domestic competition rule book outlines the rules regarding the Libero position. Each team can designate two Libero players. The Libero player, a defensive specialist, must remain in the back row throughout the game and cannot serve, attack or block the ball. Substitutions involving the Libero player do not count toward a team's substitution count per set. Teams can substitute the Libero in and out of the game an unlimited number of times. The Libero can only replace a back row player. Substitution Zone Players entering or leaving the court during a regular substitution must cross the sideline between the attack line and the scorer's table. The Libero player must enter and leave the court between the attack line and the court's end line. Substitution Timing A team can request a substitution at the start of a set or during a time-out. You can substitute more than one player at a time. The referee must authorize all substitutions and the scorer must record them. A team can make a Libero substitution before the start of a set, during a time-out or before the service whistle. Intervals and Change of Courts Intervals Rules in Volleyball All intervals between sets last 3 minutes.During this time period, change of courts and line-up registrations of the teams on the scoresheet are made. Change of Courts Rules in Volleyball After each set, the teams change courts with the exception of the deciding set.In the deciding set, once a team reaches 8 points, the teams change courts without delay and the player positions remain the same.If the change doesnt take place once the 8 points is reached, the change will take place as soon as its noticed. The score at the time the change is made remains the same. time Outs - Rules in Volleyball All time-outs that are requested last 30 seconds. During time-outs the players in the game must go to the free zone near their bench.Players may remain on the court or go to the free zone near their team bench.Any team member listed on the roster may participate in the time-out.Coaches and non-playing team members may not enter the court. Volleyball referees may direct teams to move to the free zone near their team bench for administrative purposes. Teams may return to the court when permitted by the referees. A substitution requires the referees authorization A substitution is the act by which a player, after being recorded by the scorer, enters the game for another player. The substitute occupies the position of the player they are replacing who must then leave the court.

Limitations of Substitutes - Rules in Volleyball One or more players may be substituted at the same time. Twelve substitutions are the maximum permitted per team per set. Substitution of one or more players is permitted at the same time. A player in the starting line-up may leave the set and re-enter, but only in his/her previous position in the line-up he/she first entered.Unlimited individual entries by a substitute within the teams allowable 12 subs are permitted. Each entry must be to the same position in the line-up.More than one substitute may enter the game in each position.The sanction for a wrong position entry is an improper request. Improper Requests - Rules in Volleyball It is improper to request an interruptionduring a rally or at the moment of or after a whistle for serveby a non-authorized team memberfor a player substitution before the game has been resumed from a previous substitution by the same team after having exhausted the authorized the number of time-outs and player substitutions.The first improper request in the match that doesnt affect or delay the game shall be rejected without any other consequences. If a change in request is due to a referees mind change, the request will be honored and no sanction given.A repeated improper request in the match constitutes a delay.An improper request includes a player substitution that would result in a wrong position entry.Improper requests remain enforce for the duration of the match.A request for 1st or 2nd time-out may be honored immediately subsequent to an improper request for volleyball substitution because of wrong player or excessive team substitution. A proper request for substitution may be honored immediately subsequent to an improper request for time-out.If the match is resumed on another playing court, the interrupted set is cancelled and replayed with the same team members and the same starting line-ups. The sets already played will keep their scores.if one or several interruptions occur exceeding 4 hours in total length, the whole match is replayed. Intervals and Change of Courts Intervals Rules in Volleyball All intervals between sets last 3 minutes.During this time period, change of courts and line-up registrations of the teams on the scoresheet are made. Change of Courts Rules in Volleyball After each set, the teams change courts with the exception of the deciding set.In the deciding set, once a team reaches 8 points, the teams change courts without delay and the player positions remain the same.If the change doesnt take place once the 8 points is reached, the change will take place as soon as its noticed. The score at the time the change is made remains the same.

Officials & Their Duties in Volleyball Referees

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The referee is the individual at the center of the court, dressed in black and white stripes. A referee's duties include signaling when a rally begins and ends. The referee is responsible for

officially recognizing team requests, substitutions, time-outs and communicating with the coaches at the appropriate times. There are often multiple referees in a match, according to the Strength and Power for Volleyball website.
Scorers The official scorer keeps track of the score throughout the volleyball game. Before the game begins the scorer notes the starting lineup of each team and notifies the referees if the lineup wasn't received on time.

Scorekeeper
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The scorekeeper creates official records of volleyball games. Before play begins, the scorekeeper records team and player information. Once the game begins, scorekeepers not only track points, but also player substitutions, sanctions and time-outs. The scorekeeper keeps an eye on the individual serving the ball to track the rotation and notify referees of potential lapses. At the close of the game, the scorekeeper records the final score of the game.

Assistant Scorekeeper
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The assistant scorekeeper or libero tracker is responsible for updating the scoreboard and keeping an eye on the libero. The libero tracking duty was added in 1999. This individual records changes in the libero rotation, notifying referees when problems occur in the rotation.

Line Judges
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There are usually two line judges, one at either end of the court, usually in opposite corners. Line judges work with the referees, signaling to assist in making judgment calls. These officials often use flags to signal when a ball is in or out, hits the antennae of the net, or when the server commits a foot fault, or steps outside the line as they serve.

Certification for Volleyball Officials

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Two organizations provide certification for volleyball officials at the collegiate and professional levels, USA Volleyball and the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials. Each organization offers certification, but PAVO is generally responsible for certification of officials in women's collegiate volleyball. PAVO offers national scorekeeper, line judge and referee certifications. USA Volleyball offers training for referees at the professional level. The organization also appoints scorekeepers at the national level.
SPortsmanlike Conduct - Volleyball Rules Referees Decisions Participants must accept referees decisions with sportsmanlike conduct, and not dispute them. In case of doubt, clarification may be requested only through the game captain. Participants must refrain from actions or attitudes aimed at influencing the decisions of the volleyball referees or covering up faults committed by their team. Participants must know the Official Volleyball Rules and abide by them.

Fair Play Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of FAIR PLAY not only toward the referees, but also toward other volleyball officials, officiating crew, opponents, and spectators. Communication between team members during the match is permitted. Misconduct and its Sanctions - Volleyball Rules Minor Misconduct Minor misconduct offenses arent subject to sanctions. It is the first referees duty to prevent the teams from approaching the sanctioning level by issuing a verbal or hand signal warning. The warning should be given to the team member through the team captain. This warning is not a sanction and has no immediate consequences. This warning should not be recorded on the scoresheet. Misconduct Leading to Sanctions Incorrect conduct by a team member towards officials, opponents, teammates, or spectators is classified in three categories according to the seriousness of the offense Rude Conduct Action contrary to good manners or moral principles, or expressing contempt. Offensive Conduct Defamatory or insulting words or gestures. Aggression Physical attack or intended aggression.

Sanction Scale - Volleyball Rules According to the judgment of the first referee and depending on the seriousness of the offense, the sanctions to be applied and recorded on the scoresheet are Penalty The first rude conduct in the match by any team member is penalized with theloss of rally.

Expulsion A team member who is sanctioned by expulsion shall not play for the rest of the set and must remain seated in the penalty area with no other consequences. An expelled coach loses his/her right to intervene in the set and must remain seated in the penalty area. When facility space doesnt allow for a penalty area, a player or substitute who is sanctioned by expulsion shall not play for the rest of the set and must remain seated on his/her bench for the remainder of the set. Any other team member sanction by expulsion must leave the playing area, team bench and warm up area for the remainder of the set. The first offensive conduct by a team member is sanction by expulsion with no other consequences.

The second rude conduct in the same match by the same team member is sanctioned by expulsion with no other consequences. Disqualification A team member who is sanctioned by disqualification must leave the Competition Control Area for the remainder of the match with no other consequences. At a minimum, the Competition Control Area includes the warm up area, team bench area, spectator area, and playing area. The first aggression is sanctioned with disqualification and no other consequences. The second offensive conduct in the same match by the same team member is sanctioned with disqualification and no other consequences. The third rude conduct in the same match by the same team member is sanctioned with disqualification and no other consequences.

Application of Misconduct Sanctions - Volleyball Rules All misconduct sanctions are individual sanctions, remain in force for the entire match and are recorded on the scoresheet. The repetition of misconduct on the same team member in the same match is sanctioned progressively (the same team member receives a heavier sanction for each successive offense). Expulsion or disqualification due to offensive conduct or aggression doesnt require a previous sanction. Misconduct Before and Between Sets - Volleyball Rules Any misconduct before or between sets is sanctioned according to the sanction scale and apply in the following set. Sanction Cards Warning verbal or hand signal, no card Penalty yellow card Expulsion red card Disqualification yellow and red card (held jointly)