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Volleyball Rules Interpretations - 2026-27
Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Davis Whitfield, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2026
SITUATION 1: Team S designates two liberos for the first set. When player No. 3 rotates to the serving position for the first time, L1 replaces No. 3 and serves. Later in the set, L2 serves for No. 3. RULING: Legal. COMMENT: When a team designates two liberos, either libero or the position player may serve in one position. (10-4-1a, 10-4-5a)
SITUATION 2: Team S designates two liberos for the first set. When player No. 3 rotates to the serving position for the first time, L1 replaces No. 3 and serves. Two rotations later, L2 replaces No. 7 and prepares to serve in a different position within the serving order. RULING: Illegal libero replacement. COMMENT: L2 completes an illegal libero replacement by replacing someone other than No. 3 in the serving position. The L1, L2 and No. 3 are tied to that serving position and it is an illegal replacement if the L1 or L2 attempt to enter the set for another player in position to serve. An unnecessary delay (administrative yellow card for the first offense or administrative red card for subsequent offense in that set) is charged to Team S if identified before contact for serve. If identified after contact for serve, an illegal alignment/improper server (loss of rally/point) results. (10-4-1a, 10-4-5a, 10-4 PENALTIES 1)
SITUATION 3: Team S designates two liberos for the first set by listing both libero uniform numbers at the top of the scoresheet and libero tracking sheet. When the L1 enters the set, the scorekeeper circles the player’s number entered at the top of the scoresheet. When the L2 enters the set, the scorekeeper circles the player’s number entered at the top of the scoresheet. RULING: Correct scorekeeper procedure. COMMENT: The scorekeeper must indicate with a circle the first time a libero enters the set. There is no other notation necessary for indicating additional entries. (Instructions for Scorer)
SITUATION 4: Team S designates two liberos for the first set by listing both libero uniform numbers at the top of the scoresheet and libero tracking sheet. During the first set, L1 completes a libero replacement for No. 2. The libero tracker marks an “L” on the line next to player No. 2. A few points later, L2 exchanges with L1. Nothing is recorded by the libero tracker. When player No. 2 replaces L2, the libero tracker enters the player number next to the “L” (2 L 2). RULING: Correct libero tracker procedure. COMMENT: If a libero exchanges with another libero, there is nothing to record on the libero tracking sheet. The libero tracker is only tracking libero and player replacements. The scorekeeper will indicate with a circle the first entry for each libero into the set. (Instructions for Libero Tracker).