Be the Referee: Libero Ejected
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
September 8, 2026
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Libero Ejected - Listen
We’re on the volleyball court today, where the home team only had one libero listed.
In the middle of the first set, that libero is disqualified for making vulgar comments to the first referee.
Can the home team now designate a new libero? Or do they play without a libero for the rest of the match? Or for just the rest of that set before picking a new libero?
If you said they must play the rest of the set without a libero and then can designate a new one before the start of the second set, you are correct.
Remember, a libero is a back-row defensive specialist who focuses on passing and digging. They can’t attack the ball above the net or play on the front row – but can substitute in and out freely for back-row players without counting against official substitution limits.
Previous 2026-27 editions
Sept. 1: Soccer Foul After Shot on Goal - Listen
Aug. 25: Fumble Out of Bounds - Listen
Be the Referee: Kick Returns
October 1, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the difference in high school kick return rules from those in the college and professional games.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Kick Returns - Listen
One of the biggest differences in high school football rules and those in college and pro deal with kick returns. In the high school game, once a kick (a punt or kickoff) breaks the plane of the goal line, the ball is dead and a touchback is awarded.