Non-Contrasting Libero Uniform

[pavbref]

Originally Posted by timasdf

Locally, I know of many times that the team intentionally wears non-contrasting uniforms. In some cases, it's simply because the libero likes one over the other. In other cases, it's gamesmanship. Testing to see if the officials will enforce the rule.

I personally know a coach (in another state) that intentionally does things to see if the referee(s) will enforce the rules. Examples:

• Team has dark green (forest green) uniforms. Libero wears dark gray. They have a bright orange libero uniform, in case the referees decide to enforce the uniform rule as written.

• Libero moves (near the end line, within 2-3 feet of the server) across the path of the server at the moment of serve. Libero does this at EVERY serve throughout the match.

• Tells back row setter to dump an (unintentional) overpass early in the match to determine if referees know about alignment.

According to her, these are often not called/enforced. Sometimes it's because the referees are clueless. Sometimes, it's because the referee decided that their rules were better than those written in the rule book.

This happens all the time at all levels. In the current USAVB National Referee Clinic, there is an entire section devoted to this topic because many referees do not call/enforce the rules in regard to back row attack/block. Is it because they choose not to enforce the rules or is it because they aren't aware of the positional alignment?

Having a libero in a clearly contrasting jersey is an aid to making the correct call. The game is getting faster and more athletic, and the coaches will use every thing available to them to gain an advantage.

In my area, about five years ago, a team had a libero jersey that had blue side panels and yellow front panels. The main jersey was solid blue with yellow trim, but a referee using peripheral vision would have a hard time finding the libero unless she was facing the referee. Everyone had problems with this team determining where the libero was at game speed. The coach knew this and used it for the team's advantage. Many illegal sets and attacks were missed because of the difficulty in quickly finding the libero from a side view. This was not a case of the officials choosing not to enforce a rule, but a case where the jerseys made enforcement very difficult