libero, player on an indoor volleyball team who serves as a defensive specialist and is not allowed to serve or rotate to the front line. The libero wears a different colour jersey from the rest of the team and is thus easily recognizable. There are several other unique rules regarding the position. Notably, the libero is barred from completing an “attack hit”—which refers to hitting the ball strategically into the opponent’s court—if the ball is above the net at the time of contact. In addition, player replacements involving the libero do not count against the maximum number of substitutions allowed during a match. However, a libero can be replaced only by the person whom he or she originally replaced. Given that the libero’s specialty is defense, that player is typically the team’s best passer and is especially skilled at receiving serves. Teams are not required to use a libero, but those that do are allowed to have only one on the court at a time.
The position was created in 1998, and it is accepted by most volleyball governing bodies. The addition of the libero to volleyball is credited with increasing the length of rallies.