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: Spearing
September 3, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the expanded definition of spearing added for football this season.
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 - Spearing - Listen
One of the new changes to the high school football rules for this year is an expanded definition of spearing an opponent with the helmet. With all the attention on player safety and reducing the head-to-head collisions between players, this new definition of illegal helmet contact will better help officials, coaches, players and fans with what is illegal and must be penalized by rule.
Simply put, a spearing foul has taken place when any player hits an opponent with the crown, or top portion, of his helmet as the first point of contact. These fouls where contact has been initiated by a player first with the crown of the helmet must be called and enforced consistently throughout the season.
Past editions:
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen