A libero in volleyball is a specialized defensive player who plays only in the back row and wears a different colored jersey from the rest of the team, making them easily recognizable

. The position was created to enhance defensive skills and ball control, especially in serve reception and passing

. Key characteristics and rules of the libero include:

• The libero cannot serve, block, or attempt to block, and cannot complete an attack hit if the ball is above the net at the time of contact

• The libero cannot rotate to the front line and is restricted to back-row play only

• The libero can substitute freely for any back-row player but can only be replaced by the same player they substituted for, and these substitutions do not count against the team's substitution limit

• Typically, the libero is the team's best passer and defensive specialist, skilled at digging, receiving serves, and setting up offensive plays

• The libero plays a crucial leadership role on the court, often organizing the backcourt defense and communicating actively with teammates

• The position was introduced in 1998 and is credited with increasing the length of rallies and overall defensive quality in volleyball

In summary, the libero is a defensive specialist focused on ball control and serve reception, playing exclusively in the back row with unique rules that allow them to substitute freely and wear a distinct jersey for easy identification