Libero serving
 

Went to an IHSA level 2 clinic yesterday. We are one of the test states that will allow the Libero to serve this year. At first it seemed like a major league headache, :confused: but as we watched the girls walking through rotations, I don't think that it will be as difficult as it first seemed ... but it's going to be interesting at first to say the least. Any of you have experience with it and any tips on proper movement, etc?

Make sure ...
 

When the libero rotates back to right back to serve, that the proper player replaces her on the court. It could be a real mess if the incorrect player replaced the libero since the normal libero exchange does not take place, the libero simply goes to the right back position to begin serving.

Also remember...
 

If the libero was on the court, then goes to right back to serve, that is *two* replacements, and as such, needs to be properly recorded on the libero tracking sheet.

Not working with the libero serving rule...Hmmm, how does that work? I thought you couldn't allow the libero to do two consecutive subs all in one shot, such that the libero has to sit out one play. Or is this just part of the libero serving exceptions?

The libero may rotate to right back without having been off for one rally if (and ONLY if) they are rotating to RB to serve the next rally. This would be two replacements at once, with the proper person replacing the libero where the libero was, and the libero replacing the next server in RB.

If the libero is not preparing to serve the next rally, then there still must be one rally between replacements.

Also, let's make sure we have our terminology correct. They are libero *replacements,* not subs. You get 18 subs per game, but unlimited replacements.

So help me do the math here... I can see this so much better when I am actually at the court watching the girls rotate than I can sitting here looking at this computer screen ... the L can now potentially stay in how many consecutive rotations before having to be replaced? 4? 6? Either of the above?:confused:

Conceivably, a libero could:

Replace into RB (1)
Rotate into CB (2)
Rotate into LB (3)
Be replaced/replace into RB to serve (4)
Rotate into CB (5)
Rotate into LB (6)

before rotating into LF and having to come out.

Had our first meeting tonight...Oregon is also one of the States experimenting with the libero serving.

Actually, I don't see it being much of a problem, except when the "phantom replacement" occurs - #4 in Felix's list above. If the libero tracker isn't really on top of things it could get messy in a hurry.

When I'm the U, I fully intend to thoroughly pregame it with the tracker & scorer to make sure they understand the changes in both procedures. For at least the first couple weeks, we'll also probably take a few extra seconds the first time or two it occurs in a match to make sure they got it.

Call me paranoid, but the first time the libero serves I'm also going to mark that position in the rotation on my lineup card with a triangle - just in case....a little prevention never hurts!

More power to you. I figure I've got enough to worry about watching for alignment. I'll let the tracker handle that.