Before the volleyball bug bites and the obsession begins, your first taste of the game was probably in gym class. As far as you were concerned, it was just six players rotating in a circle until given a chance to spike one from the front row. Now that you know that’s not the case, I’m sure you’re filled with a ton of questions. One of the most common questions among people new to the game is, “what is a libero in volleyball?”. Let's take a closer look at everything there is to know about the libero volleyball position!

Libero Volleyball #1: What is a libero in volleyball?

First introduced in 1999, the libero is a special volleyball position that is dedicated to playing defense while on the volleyball court. They can remain in the back row for the entirety of the rotation therefore are most often the best defensive player on the team. They are not limited by substitutions so they are free to come in and out as they please (as long as it is for the same position). Common attributes for a libero include phenomenal court awareness, quick reflexes, and the ability to consistently pass well. 

Ok, I know what you're thinking. "So they are basically a permanent back row player but what does a libero do exactly?".

Libero Volleyball #2: What does a libero do?

The libero's main responsibilies include passing well on serve receive and playing defense. They can enter and exit a volleyball game for multiple players at a particular position (most often the middle hitter position). This is to extend rallies and make the defense as competitive as possible. When watching high level volleyball, it is not uncommon to see a libero pass a majority of serves. It is absolutely necessary to be a great serve receive passer if you want to be a libero!

As for base defense, liberos usually line up at the back left so spikes from the opposing team’s outside hitter will funnel towards them. Great liberos have a knack for reading hitters, filling holes in blocks, and quickly reacting to tips. These are just a few of the things that you should work on to become a better libero. 

Libero Volleyball #3: What are the rules for a libero?

There are a few rules the libero must follow throughout the course of a volleyball match. For starters, the most obvious is they wear a different colored jersey. This is to make them easily distinguishable from the rest of the team in order to help the volleyball referee.  

The next rule to be aware of is the libero is restricted to the back row and therefore unable to attack a volleyball that is over the net (even if the libero jumps from behind the ten foot line). Needless to say, they cannot hit nor block during the match.

The libero is also unable to overhand set from in front of the ten foot line. This means that they must bump set or set from behind the ten foot line while in a volleyball match. It is also important to note that depending on the league, liberos may not be allowed to serve.

In terms of substitutions, the libero is free to come in and out of the game an unlimited amount of times without using a team substitution.

Now that you know the ins and outs, you might be wondering how to become a libero yourself. The truth is, it all starts with learning to pass!

Libero Volleyball #4: How do I become a libero?

In order to become a libero in volleyball, you must first understand how to pass. Passing is easily the most integral part of the game of volleyball. Having 6’10 hitters capable of spiking the ball within the 10 foot line means nothing if you can’t pass well enough to run your offense. The two different ways a player can pass the volleyball are by utilizing a bump pass or an overhead pass. The method in which a player uses to pass depends on both preference, as well as volleyball location. Let's take a closer look at the two passing techniques that you need to know to become a libero. 

Bump Passing

A volleyball passing technique in which the player strikes the volleyball with their flattened forearms. Often times a player will use this type of pass when the ball is at or below their waist.

Overhead Passing

A volleyball passing technique in which the player controls the volleyball with their fingertips while their face is below the ball and elbows are flared out to the sides. This type of pass is very similar to setting the volleyball. Players use the overhead passing technique when dealing with a ball that is above their waist as it is easy to run forward and attack the pass rather than stepping back and attempting to use the bump pass method. In many cases it is the preferred way to pass the volleyball because of the added control.

Libero Volleyball #5: How do I pass a volleyball? 

Before the ball is even in the air, you need to make sure you're ready for it. The ready position (sometimes called the defensive position) is one of the most basic skills in volleyball passing. Start by standing in an athletic position with your feet shoulder width apart. Keep your knees bent and weight forward on the balls of your feet so you can be ready to move. Often times players make the mistake of being on their heels which causes slow movement and lost points!

Face the server on serve receive

Orient yourself towards the server, not the target! This is a very common mistake among beginners and is often taught incorrectly by novice coaches. Always face the server and use the angles created by your arms to pass to the target.

Center the volleyball

Once the opposing team makes contact, track the ball and watch for it’s spin to determine its flight path. When you have an idea of where the ball is going, do you best to get directly behind the ball so it is in the center of your body.

The Bump Pass

If the ball looks like it will be below your waist at impact, you will probably need to use a bump pass. The bump pass starts with a solid base, also know as the volleyball platform. To achieve this:

• Place one palm on top of the other so that your fingertips overlap one another.
• Bring your thumbs together so they are even and create a flat surface.
• Put pressure on your fingertips so your hands do not come apart while passing.
• Rotate your hands down and open arms so the flat part of your lower forearm makes contact with the ball.
• Keep elbows locked throughout the entire volleyball passing process.

Volleyball Passing Steps

• As the volleyball approaches, create an angle with your shoulders towards the target. This is done by dropping one shoulder to create the desired angle as seen in the video above. 
• Don't swing! Create the angle and leave arms stationary with your elbows locked the entire time. Swinging your arms to push the ball is a bad habit and will result in inconsistent passing. 
• Stay Quiet! Often times players will stand while passing to add distance but this will result in overpasses. Keep your head and arms steady and allow the ball to do the work. 

If you've never played competitive volleyball before, be ready to ice your arms after practice. Anyone will tell you that passing well is essential to winning but it can be extremely difficult to pass well if your arms are on fire! Wearing Mizuno Arm Sleeves will completely change how your arms feel after a long day of passing!

The Overhead Pass

If the ball looks as though it will be above your waist at impact, you will probably use the overhead pass. Prior to the ball arriving:

• Lift your hands above your head and create a triangle with your thumbs and pointer fingers
• Create space between your hands so that a ball would fit perfectly if it were thrown to you.
• Bend at the elbows and contact the ball about 6 inches from your face.

Volleyball Passing Steps

• Keep your shoulders forward and attack the ball. If you lean back you will end up having the ball go behind you.
• Do you best to make contact with your fingertips and thumbs. Using your palms is a common mistake among beginners and will result in carries and poor volleyball passes. 
• Sometimes you will need to pass the volleyball too far to accomplish with the strength of your arms alone. Generate power with your legs and push through the pass while extending your arms like superman.
• Don’t try to "set" a difficult serve or spike. By making quick contact you avoid carries and cut down on past balls. It is important to remember that you will not be called for a double hit on the first contact so having the pass come out clean is not necessary! 

Remember that passing is one of the volleyball basics and is not limited to any of the volleyball positions! Whether you are a 6'10" middle or a 4'9" libero, you will be a volleyball passer at one point or another. Do yourself a favor and learn as many volleyball passing drills as possible so you can take your game to the next level!

Libero Volleyball #6: How do I get better at serve receive?

Oddly enough, there are plenty of libero volleyball players out there that are great on defense but have a ton of trouble on serve receive. They can read a hitter and react perfectly fine but when it comes to passing a float serve, they freeze up. The short answer is to get as many reps as possible. More reps will get you comfortable with distances which inevitably leads to better passes. With that being said, there is one thing in particular that holds players back when it comes to serve receive.

The NUMBER ONE thing to do when faced with a float serve is to attack the ball! I realize this can be intimidating at first but it will have an enormous impact on your serve receive.

When done correctly, a float serve will move through the air with zero spin just like a knuckleball in baseball. This means their flight path is incredibly unpredictable so a last second drop is entirely possible. This is why you should attack the ball with an overhead pass.

By attacking the ball, you limit the distance the ball has to make a sudden move. The overhead pass also offers much more control so limiting shanks is very probable. Anyone who has played volleyball will tell you that serve receive can be tough. The key is to pile on the reps so nothing can surprise you on game day.

Libero Volleyball: What are the best shoes for a libero?

The most fun questions are questions about volleyball gear and this one gets asked all of the time. Truthfully, any shoe that you can play volleyball in will work. If you recently bought a pair, then I am 100% sure they will be fine so don't go out and spend more money for no reason!

On the other hand if you're in the market for a pair now, there are a few things that you should consider. For starters, they obviously need to have great grip. The libero volleyball position consists of constant movement and quick reactions. If your shoes aren't providing any traction, you're going to have a tough time getting behind the ball on defense.

The next thing to look out for is the stability. You want to make sure the shoe that you chose is capable of keeping you upright during the rapid lateral movements. Volleyball shoes that lack stability often give out during times of duress which could result in a sprained ankle. Safety first!

The last "must have" is it should be a low profile shoe. By design, low profile shoes are a bit more comfortable and allow for increased speed. While it may not seem like a huge deal, the extra fraction of a second that certain shoes will give you could be the difference maker.

If you're interested in seeing a detailed review of the best volleyball shoes, you can do so here! It looks into the features of the best volleyball shoes on the market from companies like Mizuno, ASICS, and Nike.