[MCBear]

Dave, the libero is a back-row defensive specialist. With that being said, if the libero is in the front zone and sets the ball with fingertip action so that while the ball is completely above the top of the net, it is attacked (either on a slamming attack by a hitter or as a dump by the setter), it is an illegal attack. The whistle is blown to kill the play, the illegal back-row attack signal (NFHS Signal #8) is given and the open hand is pointed at the libero indicating that they are the one who committed the fault.

This play happens occasionally, especially when the libero receives a first-ball over with a setting motion while in the front zone and she just happens to set it to the setter who decides it would be a great idea to dump the ball to the other side. That is the play you have to be aware of.

The other one is the libero doing a back-row attack from behind the attack line. It is a fine line sometimes as to whether the libero completed the attack while the ball was completely above the top of the net or not. If the ball is completely above the top of the net, we have an illegal back-row attack committed by the libero.


Good luck as you get used to looking for and seeing these plays.