Really, really confused!
 

I'm a new observer of the sport, so please forgive me. I understand that non-libero substitutions must be okayed and can only occur in the substitution area. I see the players stand and face each other, touch hands, get the ok, and then switch. I also understand at least some of the libero-nonlibero replacement stuff.

But I see this at Women's NCAA D1 volleyball at least 2 or 3 times per match: libero is on the court already, dead ball at end of rally, then player on the court runs directly to bench as bench player runs on the court...high fiving each other as they pass. Neither player goes through the substitution area. It SEEMS that libero is somehow involved in this, as I think the occurrence of this switcher-oo only happens when libero is on the court in the back row position 2 or 3 but somehow then moves into position to serve. This is so confusing. Thanks.
-Dave

Dave,

Normally the libero, when they reach the Left Back (LB) position, would have to sit out the next rally when she is to rotate to the Left Front (LF) position. However, she does not have to do this if she is going to serve. What you are seeing is actually two libero replacements. The player running on to the court in to the LF position is replacing the libero. The player running off the court, from the Right Front (RF) position, is being replaced by the libero, who is moving back to serve. Since these are replacements and not substitutions, the exchanges must occur behind the 10' attack line, and not within the substitution zone. Since the libero may only serve in one spot in the order, this can not happen each time the libero is to rotate to the LF position. You might typically only see it every other time through the libero's rotation.

I've heard this referred to (informally) as a dipsy-doodle or something along that line.

Hope this helps!

Thanks! I had a feeling it was some sort of double-replacement scheme. I asked a local HS volleyball coach about this, and she told me it was impossible and that I was dreaming...

Your local coach obviously has limited volleyball experience and, therefore, doesn't understand how the Libero is used.

Oddly enough, her team is a powerhouse, having been undefeated in her scholastic league through almost 800 games, now going to HS Girls V-B Regionals this weekend. However, I have seen her lose V-B games, and softball games as well, due to coaching errors IMHO. Her libero is one of the best players on the team and it would seem to me that she should know this replacement scheme and use it. Hmmmmmm.

You folks are great...one more: what is the tactical advantage of this? Does this keep libero in play more?

Two advantages....as you guessed, it does keep the libero on the court longer without having that player have to sit out a rally.

If your libero is a strong server, it also allows you to replace a potentially weaker server with the libero to serve.

Thanks Andy and everyone else. I know this is an officials forum (I'm an official in several sports, just not in V-B!) so extra thanks for answering my non-rule, strategy question.
-Dave

If your coach has that kind of record, she/he obviously just misundertood your question.