High school volleyball is adding a second libero.
The National Federation of State High School Associations announced Thursday that teams will be allowed to use up to two liberos in each set, instead of only one. Just one libero, though, can play at a time, but a coach is able to designate up to two liberos prior to each set.
This was one of seven rule changes proposed by the NFHS volleyball rules committee at its annual meeting last month. The NFHS board of directors reviewed and approved the rules changes.
The libero, which is a permanent back-row player identified by a different colored jersey, was added to the high school game for the 2006–07 season, giving teams a position that doesn’t require substitutions.
Other rule changes include liberos now being able to wear any color shorts within the uniform rules, stricter bench behavior rules, shorter time between sets, players on the service team not allowed to raise their hands above their heads until the ball is over the net, and video or audio devices are not allowed to be worn by players.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA volleyball: Second libero, NFHS rule changes in high school volleyball