Volleyball is not an easy sport and all positions require a minimum of skills as well as physical abilities to be able to handle the high pace and intensity.
However, there are some volleyball positions that are usually considered to be harder than others! Indeed …
Many believe that the libero is the hardest position in volleyball, even though it was only introduced internationally in 1998. The position is limited to specific tasks, thus it requires a lot of discipline and a willingness to sacrifice personal ambition and glory for the rest of the team.
In this article, I breakdown this position as well as others that are not easy as well. I also help you figure out couple ways to be good and do well regardless of how difficult the position could be.
What is hard about the libero position?
The libero is a defensive specialist and they are easily distinguishable on court because they wear a different colour jersey to the rest of their teammates.
That in itself comes with its own pressures, because any mistakes by them are magnified and easily apparent.
However, often the work of a libero can go unappreciated, not just by spectators but by teammates as well.
Helpful Tip: Libero is a position that requires a lot of sudden movement changes. However, to be able to so, you definitely need volleyball shoes with really very good grip (Check this example). Otherwise, the player will find him/herself in many slippery situations which will impact negatively his/her overall performance.
A libero must have the ability to read the game and to know where the opposition is likely to hit the ball.
That requires an understanding of an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, determining who their power hitters are, and also to understand their favourite shots.
Because a libero is also the only position where a player can come and go on the court without the formality of introducing a replacement, even when not involved with the play, they need to be following it at all times.
They will need to anticipate when they should come into the backline and when to drop out, and, while the call will often be made by a coach, they may need to make the decision themselves on the spot.
That requires not only quick thinking and determination, but also requires an element of courage as well, especially in a big game situation.
Is this position recommended for beginners?
The libero position is not recommended for beginners! It is, indeed, one of the most important positions in volleyball.
The first is that it requires multi-faceted skills …
The position is all about digging and passing the ball, therefore, excellent ball handling skills are required. Indeed, some claim that the libero should be able to handle and pass the ball better than any other player on the court.
Such skills can take months or even years to acquire and to hone.
The libero also needs to be very quick around the court and have excellent reflexes …
These need to be developed so that a player can anticipate what an opponent is about to do, and where the ball is likely to land.
And the success of the libero lies in their ability to read the play and the game. A beginner just would not have the broader appreciation of the sport to play in the position as well.
There are also personal qualities that need to be developed for those who want to be a libero …
Although it is a key position on the court, it is essentially an unglamorous one, and not a role that somebody new to the sport will necessarily appreciate.
The major stars of the sport tend to be the hitters and blockers, and few players start out in the sport wanting to be a libero.
That means it takes maturity and self-discipline to play in the position.
Finally, a libero must be able to command respect from the rest of the players around them in the backline …
Simply because they will often dictate the play and begin the attack. That respect is earned through months of play and success on the court.
For an in-depth understanding of volleyball positions, don’t miss this detailed guide covering the 6 main positions. You’ll undoubtedly expand your knowledge!
What does it take to be good as a Libero?
All liberoes need to have top-class ball handling skills …
They need to excel at both digging and blocking, so not only do they have to move around the court quickly, but, when they reach the ball, they need to possess the ability to strike it cleanly and accurately, making sure that it reaches its intended target.
Fast reflexes are also a key component – it is one thing getting to a ball, another thing entirely to decide what to do with it, especially when it is travelling at speed.
At any time, a libero has several options as to what they should do next – making the right choice in a fraction of a second though is not easy.
Spatial awareness is important as well, For example, when receiving a serve, there may be a question of whether to play it or leave it if they think that the ball may be long. And, if they do play it, then they need to know on the court where the setter is standing and which spiker at the net is in the best place to make a successful hit.
Above all though, a libero must have a real understanding of the game and an appreciation of its subtleties and different facets.
Arguably, though, above all these individual qualities is a real love of the game, and the ability to put the team above the individual ego.
That is because, in the first place, a libero is purely a defensive position, whereas most beginners want to be an attacker, the one to score the points or to block the big shots.
How fast you can learn such a hard position?
It can take months, but more probably years to learn the position and get to the level where you should be to compete at a high level!
That is because being a libero is not just about mastering technical skills, although that can take time in itself, but it is also about developing the mental toughness and resilience to play the role.
Libero is essentially the defensive captain that carries with it the need for a certain gravity and respect from the other players. Whilst some athletes have an air of natural authority, it is more often developed through regular and sustained playing of the game.
Furthermore, playing libero needs developing an all-round aspect of the game, a tactical awareness of what is happening at all times, as well as the ability to analyse the opposition and determine where they are strong, as well as their weaker aspects.
Again, it can take a long time to develop this mental agility.
All this means that there are no short cuts when it comes to becoming a libero. People can put in the ground work by concentrating on their ball handling skills and to ensure that they have the ability to move around the court quickly.
Is this position also hard for women volleyball?
There is no real difference between men’ s and women’s volleyball, part from the height of the net – 2.24 m for women’s competitions and 2.43 m in the case of the men.
That also means that the positions on a volleyball court are the same, meaning the libero role as well.
One difference, though, is that in certain female competitions, a libero is allowed to serve, although it is only allowed for a specific rotation. She can only serve on behalf of one designated person, not for all the people that she replaces on court.
In fact, as evidence to the fact that the libero is an equal sex position is the fact that some of the best liberoes in the world currently are women. There is Italy’s Monica De Gennaro, as well as Brenda Castillo of the Dominican Republic, and Silvija Popović of Serbia. And there are several highly rated Chinese ones as well.
De Gennaro, in particular, was voted the best in her position in the last two editions of the FiVB (Volleyball’s governing body) World Cup, and is renowned for her hard work, coverage of the court, and ability always to be in the right place and at the right time.
Final Thoughts …
Hope this article has given you good understanding about this difficult position. When I say difficult, I don’t want you to think about it as something that you can’t do …
Even if you choose a different position, I still encourage you to try the libero from time to time to get used to it in case your coach needs you at that position …
Not to mention that trying the libero every once in a while in actual games and in trainings/drills will help you improve your overall skills for the sport!
Finally, if you are looking for a position which is adapted for left handed players, then I highly recommend you check this left handed friendly position.