What are the libero rules by age classification in Volleyball Canada competitions?
Rule- Canada
- Volleyball Canada
- Indoor volleyball
- All ages
- 2026-27
- Referees
From the Volleyball Canada 2026-27 rule change summary and Referee Guidelines (rule 19):
- 14U and 15U: no libero is permitted. The libero lines on the score sheet stay blank and all twelve players are recorded in the team roster.
- 16U and 17U: only one libero per set.
- 18U: up to two liberos per set (new for 2026-27).
- Liberos may be re-designated after each set. Their numbers must be on the line-up sheet for each set, the new libero can be any player registered on the score sheet, and the uniform number must match the player's number on the score sheet. The replaced libero can play as a regular player with the correct uniform.
- The libero must wear a uniform with a different dominant colour from the team jersey that clearly contrasts with the rest of the team, numbered like the rest of the team.
- For the 2027 Volleyball Canada Championships, the Athlete and Coach Pathway Committee is testing 15U teams competing with a libero. Whether competitions run by a Provincial/Territorial Association (PTA) follow suit is up to that PTA.
- A libero who completes an attack hit when the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net is at fault, and so is a player who attacks from higher than the net after a libero's overhand finger pass in the libero's front zone (the referee uses signal 21 and points at the libero).
Sources: Volleyball Canada 2026-27 Rule Change Summary; 2026-27 Referee Guidelines and Instructions, rule 19 and rule 30; Volleyball Canada Rulebook 2026-27, rule 13.3.
Updated 25 Oct 2026