All substitutions are recorded by the assistant scorer (libero tracker). When a player (other than a libero) is substituted out of the game, her number is crossed off and the number of the player who enters the game is inscribed on the line. There are an infinite number of libero replacements, however there are only 18 substitutes each game. A list of all players who have played at least one match for their respective teams can be found here: http://www.fivb.org/viewdocument/index_id=10144&;extrainfo=json
The libero tracker aims to provide a clear image of who has been in the game at what time during key moments in the game. This information is used by referees and assistants to confirm whether or not a foul was committed by looking at the libero numbers on the screen. The more liberos present at a foul the clearer it is that a foul was committed.
There are two types of libero replacements: natural and artificial. In the case of a natural replacement, the current libero leaves the court while a new player takes her place. In contrast, an artificial replacement involves a substitution after the foul has been committed.
Artificial libero replacements occur when a player is injured and cannot continue playing. In this case, a substitute will take the court without having scored any points. If a second player is available, she will usually replace the first player before being replaced herself.
On the libero control sheet, the libero substitution must be documented. One of the officials at the scorer's table is responsible for keeping track of which players are being replaced so that the proper players return to the right spots. The libero can also call out substitutions by name during play. See "The Position of Libero" article in Chapter 2 for more information on this role.
As with all official U.S. Women's Soccer positions, liberos are officially listed on the team roster in the front of the book. The libero position is not reserved for any specific player type; any player capable of playing the role could fill it on any given day. However, most teams prefer that their liberos are tall and agile because they need to be able to reach balls placed high in the back-field or along the sideline. Also, since the libero does not have a defensive responsibility, she doesn't wear a number.
In addition to being listed on the roster, liberos are usually assigned seats numbers 1 through 10. These numbers are used when submitting a team list for tournaments or games where each player is required to have a seat number printed on her jersey.
The substitute count on the scorecard should always match the Libero Tracking Sheet. Throughout the game, this information should be verified on a regular basis. If the other match officials inquire, the assistant scorekeeper can offer backup information regarding the number of substitutions made by each team.
The Libero can take the place of any back row player, male or female. (In other words, the libero may hand set a ball from behind the ten-foot line but not in front of it.) When the Libero replaces a back row player, only the player he or she replaced may replace the Libero. The libero cannot be substituted for any other type of player.
A libero usually has excellent passing skills and is responsible for distributing the ball to her teammates during offense and helping them out when they make mistakes during defense. She often starts games off by setting a high screen shot that forces opposing players away from the basket. Once her team gets open shots, she will pass the ball until someone else can get a shot off.
Liberos are very important to their team because they can handle the ball at both ends of the court. This allows other players on the team to get easy baskets and also prevents the opponent from getting easy opportunities against them. Because of this reason, many coaches say that there is no better player to have on your team than a libero.
Liberos come in all shapes and sizes. Some are very tall while others are not as tall. Some weigh more than others however, most liberos weigh over 100 pounds. No matter what position they play, liberos always have an impact on their teams game.
Libero substitutes are unrestricted and do not count as substitutions. Except when the libero on the court will be the next server, there must be at least one rally between substitutions involving the libero. If a team uses two liberos, only one libero may be on the floor at the same time in USAV. A player can be substituted out for any reason during their service time. A libero may also be substituted if the coach feels that it is necessary to have another player contribute to the game.
There are no rules regarding how long a libero should stay in the game. Coaches tend to substitute liberos after each rally so they can keep their attention focused on the action on the court instead of having to remember who is serving next. Liberos are free to leave the court at any time if they feel like it has become too difficult or uncomfortable playing with only one player on the floor. They can also be replaced by a coach if he or she wishes to have another player contribute to the game.
A libero cannot score or dish out points in any way. Their job is simply to defend against balls hit towards the basket by the opposing team's players and throw out help defense opportunities if needed. A libero can use all-fours position to block shots but cannot touch the ball with their hands unless the shot goes up.
A libero does not have to be a female player to replace a male counterpart on the court.
As the Libero, each side can nominate one specialist player. Before the game, the Libero must be noted on the score sheet in the unique line designated for this purpose. The number must be noted on the opening set's line-up sheet (game). If there are more than two liberos, they must change ends during half time.
The number of liberos is reduced by one per match played. If a player misses three matches, he loses his place as a libero.
There is no limit on the number of times a player can replace another as a libero. He can also become a libero after starting the game as a specialist.
Libero #4, for example, is listed on the roster as 4. If a player serves as both a normal player and a libero throughout the match but has the same number on both jerseys, just record the player's number. There are no special rules for combining players' numbers; any combination of numbers can appear on a jersey so long as they are different for each player.
The only restriction on what numbers can appear on the back of the jersey is that they must be different for each player. So if you have two players named "Mike" who both play forward, you could give them both number 10 and let them wear it simultaneously. But if you had two players named "Mike" who played different positions but wanted to wear the same number, you would need to give them different numbers (or not assign them numbers at all).
There are no special rules for combining players' names either. So if you have two players named "Mike" who both play forward and want to wear the same number, you could give them both number 10 and let them wear it simultaneously.
In fact, there are very few restrictions on what numbers can appear on the back of a jersey.