Libero Replacement Issues - USAV

[MCBear]

From: USA Volleyball Referee Training and Education Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

Libero Replacement Issues
March 15th, 2009
No comments

I have observed many libero replacement issues being handled differently (and often incorrectly) by officials. The DCR doesn’t do a great job of addressing some libero situations, and I think there is a fair amount of confusion (especially with those who work multiple rule sets). Perhaps a number of different scenarios, such as the following, could be addressed:

1. Libero (or replaced player) enter/leave outside of the replacement zone.
2. Libero replaced by a player other than whom s/he replaced.
3. Libero replaced by a player other than whom s/he replaced, and whom the coach immediately wants to substitute out.
4. Two replacements (in/out) during the same dead ball.
5. A team attempts a double replacement (like NCAA/NFHS) where two non-libero players replace each other with the libero going back to RB to serve.
6. The libero enters the set and serves.

I will say what I would do, but I would like some feedback as to whether I am correct or not.

#1 - TDW, I believe, although our Referee Chair says that it is an IR (I think she is wrong, but I would like some documentation).
#2 -Illegal substitution - penalized with LOR and line-up is corrected (15.9.2)
#3 - Illegal substitution (16.1.3)
#4 - Team Delay, I believe (?)
#5 - TDW since the Libero failed to sit out one rally (19.3.2.1)
#6 - Legal replacement, Illegal server upon contact with the ball. The Libero may replace any back-row player so nothing illegal occurs until the Libero serves. (19.3.1.1)

Thanks.

[FMadera]

In USAV, we do not intervene with a team delay on libero replacement issues, with the exception of the replacement not taking place in the libero zone, and you should warn on this before assessing a TDW. LOR at the contact of serve. NCAA would be different.

Bringing the wrong player on for the libero is an illegal replacement, not an illegal substitution. Again, contact of serve, loss of rally.

[MCBear]

Thanks, Felix. Just shows how much I have NOT been allowed to ref using USAV rules this year. I forgot that we wait for contact.