Illegal blocker?
 

A tall back row setter goes after an over pass near the net, jumps above the height of the net. But the other team attacks it when it is directly above the height of the net. Does the setter have to touch the ball to be an illegal blocker or is she illegal just by being above the height of the net during an opponents attack?

Thanks

Short answer...yes, she must contact the ball for it to be a violation.

Long answer...it is only an illegal back-row blocker violation if the back-row player (while part of her body is above the vertical plane of the net) contacts the ball. Even if the official would feel that the back-row player is attempting a block, it is only illegal if the blocker contacts the ball (or participates in a completed composite block).

...or if the libero attempts to block.

Thanks, that's how I read it, but it does seem odd to me. Thanks again.

What is the rule if two blockers go up (or in this case a wise middle realizes there will be an overpass and the setter will try to save it). The ball is attacked and both players, setter and middle are above the net height and the ball contacts the middle.

If it is a collective block, 2 or more blockers in close proximity, then it is an illegal block when one of the blockers is back row and any player participating in the block contacts the ball.