Ask Mike: What’s with the different volleyball jersey?
Hey Guys,
I wouldn’t call myself a big volleyball fan, but I’ve watched my fair share of Olympic volleyball over the past week and a half. One question that kept coming up during the team competition: Why does one person on the team wear a different jersey than the other five? Bump, set, spike — here’s the scoop.
The man or woman you see in a different jersey isn’t the captain — he or she is called a libero. These are players who specialize in good defense. They can only play in the back line and are not allowed to serve, spike, or block. The different color jersey makes it easier for referees to make sure the player doesn’t make a move he or she isn’t allowed to make.
Livestrong.com explains that a libero player can substitute in an unlimited number of times. However, the ball can’t be in play when the libero comes in. And when the libero steps out off the court he or she must be substituted with the person he or she originally replaced.
Though it isn’t always the case, the libero is often a team’s best defensive player, often a thankless task. He or she might be shorter than the rest of the team, but that lack of height can be an advantage when it comes time to dig out a spike. Plus, they get to wear sweet jerseys.
Thanks for reading,
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Another question: Why are the women’s uniforms so different from the men’s?
I have grown up around volleyball and never understood why the women wear such short shorts if slightly longer shorts (like what the men wear) don’t restrict their movement
the person with the other jersey than their team mates is the barra. i think that’s how my coach pronounced it. i’m a senior in the highschool team and created my own. i dont use a barra. so i dont know the right way to say it. hahaa. but that person can only be in back row and is the main person that passes. if the serve is deep and coming over the net, it’s the barra’s. unless they call help. i hope this can help!
…wow!!! guess i’m wrong all the time but thanks to you, now i am aware!!!
Neat post. I had always thought it was because they were a captain. The more you know. Thanks!
Many people who answered this question got it wrong because they don’t know FIVB rules which is used for Olympic and International volleyball. For example, in the U.S., high school, USA Volleyball, and NCAA allow the libero to serve but not under FIVB. Additionally, depending on which rules, either one or two liberos may be used in matches but both cannot be on the court at the same time.
Finally, I hope people can look to this before flooding the volleyball section with more “Why is there a person with a different uniform?”. Seriously! Have people heard of searching?
was that just a commercial for livestrong.com, the commercial, for profit wing of the livestrong foundation?
@ Charger
I played a little volleyball in high school, and it was always easier to play with shorter shorts. When the shorts got longer, they would always ride up and make it uncomfortable to play. I don’t like wearing short shorts, but they were always more practical and comfortable when playing volleyball.
It’s the Labaro’s jersey. I play volleyball, the Labaro gets a free pass to get in the game whenever they want. They may only play the back row, and no serving. hope it helps!~
Sama: As you said NOTHING that wasn’t in the original post, it CAN’T help.
The person with the different colored jersey is called a libero. S/he is usually in most cases the shortest person on the team and is best at bumping and setting and they can do any movement at any time. I know this from experience(:
I have been playing volleyball for 8 years now & I’m a junior in high school. We wear the uniforms you see now cause they are more form fitting.
i played volleyball for 12 years and wearing short shorts able girls to move well, with no issues with NOTHING getting in the way. plus if you have a nice bodyy show it
i love what i wear for volleyball.
What’s with the fashion attack?
Ok, can I just say that it is spelled L-I-B-E-R-O and pronounced Li-bar-row. I’m sorry, but I have been playing volleyball for as long as I can remember and have been a libero for a few years now.
i like mike!