Tokyo Olympics: Why does one volleyball player have a different colour jersey?
Libero position was only introduced to the sport in 1996 and has special rules attached to it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Viewers of the Olympic volleyball tournament at Tokyo 2020 may have noticed one team member on the court wearing a different coloured jersey.
That player is a defensive specialist known as a libero, and their jersey is normally one of that country’s official colours but always contrasts that being worn by the rest of the team.
Follow Tokyo Olympics 2021: Latest medals and updates
Two of the squad’s 12 players can be assigned as a libero, a position that comes with a specific set of playing restrictions.
The libero is only allowed to play in the back row of the court, and they are not permitted to jump and spike a ball in the front row, or block an attack at the net.
The position was introduced by the International Volleyball Federation, which governs Olympic volleyball, in 1996, to help defensive strategy.
The libero is made to wear a different colored shirt so that the referees can spot them easily and enforce the rules of that position.
“The Libero’s jersey or jacket must clearly contrast in color to the color of the jersey worn by other members of the team,” state USA Volleyball’s rules.
“The Libero jerseys do not have to match, but they must both be contrasting from the other members of the team. ‘Contrast’ means ‘strikingly different.’ As such, two dark colors (or two light colors) often do not provide sufficient contrast from one another.”
Liberos also do not substitute in the same way as the rest of the team, with at least one point having to be played between a libber leaving the court, and their replacement coming on.
And the libero has only been allowed to be the team captain since earlier this year, after the rules were changed.
For the Team USA men’s team, Erik Shoji and Dustin Watten have the role, and for the women’s team it is Justine Wong Orantes, with Megan Courtney as an alternate.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments