The Libero

Former NFHS Publications/Communications Department intern Kristin Roberts addresses the addition of the libero player position to high school volleyball, and the impact that it has had on the game.

By Kristin Roberts

Designed to add excitement to the game of volleyball and raise the level of play, the libero was first introduced into international play as a way of keeping a good defender on the floor. The use of the libero has since spread to collegiate, club and high school volleyball.

Several states experimented with the use of the libero, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. According to Cynthia Doyle, assistant director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), every state participating in the experiment has communicated positive feedback from member schools.

The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee was concerned about the effect the libero would have on participation. Other parameters, such as whether or not the libero should serve, perform as captain, or possibly be able to play with all the liberties of a setter were decided at the January 2005 rules meeting.

The libero wears a uniform in distinct contrast to other members of the team, and is intended to be a player who specializes in defense and serve reception. The libero may replace a back-row player without taking away from the team's allowed number of substitutions. The libero is instead considered a replacement, and can replace any back-row player except the one who is serving.

Because American volleyball has turned into a tall player's game, the libero position allows a shorter player a chance to develop skills and have more playing time. Over time, the libero position will likely favor student-athletes who play more because they have more opportunity to develop the role.

"It will take a really skilled athlete to develop this position," Doyle said.

The result of adopting the libero at the high school level seems like a step toward standardization of volleyball codes, but Doyle makes clear the purpose is to reward defensive play and create a balance between advanced skills of offense and defense needed to assure fair play in the game. Differences in the codes should exist because skill levels are different, and as volleyball develops in the United States, so will the players.

"The goal of the current committee is to standardize mechanics of the game to help attract officials," Doyle said. "High school rules have changed because high school athletes have developed more skills. The need for skilled officials, along with the development of athletes, has changed the sport."

As the use of the libero spreads, it is likely the position will become as important as the setter or the big hitter. Since the libero is allowed unlimited replacements, the position has more versatility and more opportunity to become an integral part of the game.

Additionally, it is unlikely high school volleyball will see many other changes in the sport's rules. The rules set in place by the volleyball rules committee are intended to teach the fundamentals and develop and nurture the skilled high school athlete.

"In the past five years, volleyball has made significant changes," said volleyball rules committee chairman Gina Mazzolini. "It's time to embrace and perfect the changes that have been made while athletes continue to develop skills, coaches improve strategies, and officials improve consistency within the NFHS rules."

Under the current set of rules, volleyball administrators will continue to look for ways to attract people into participating, coaching and officiating. Doyle advises that the committee will review the libero's role to assure that the philosophy of the high school athlete, coach and official is consistent with the philosophy of developing the skills of high school players.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kristin Roberts was a fall semester intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department. She is a December 2004 graduate of Butler (Indiana) University, where she majored in public relations.