The NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committee has approved the libero player with 12 substitutions among rules changes for the 2002 season.

The committee, which met February 18-21 in Scottsdale, Arizona, also determined a timeline for rules book production and distribution as well as topics for the annual rules survey and data-collection studies.

In what is expected to be an exciting new element to the women's game, the libero position will allow for a back-row player with unlimited replacement opportunities. Based on the international restrictions regarding the position, the libero cannot serve, attack or set inside the attack line. The libero must wear a contrasting jersey color from her teammates and can be replaced only by the player whom she replaced.

Terry Pettit, assistant to the athletics director at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and chair of the committee, said, "We believe the adoption of the libero will add a new element of excitement to the game and raise the level of play. It also has the potential to create opportunities for the smaller athlete."

A list of frequently asked questions outlining the provisions of the libero position accompanied a memo sent to all head women's volleyball coaches February 26. Both documents also are posted online at the American Volleyball Coaches Association and NCAA Web sites.

Other important rules changes adopted for 2002 are:

The use of the pursuit rule allowing players to retrieve a ball that has crossed the centerline outside the court under certain circumstances.

In a deciding game, teams must switch sides at eight points.

Expulsion or disqualification of a player results in a loss of rally (point for the opposing team).

Net sleeves will be allowed on the top of the net with adequate securing devices.

No change was made in the way individual red cards are issued. Games still will be played to 30 points for games one through four and to 15 points in the deciding game.

The court shall be set up and available at least one hour before the start of the match. The warm-up protocol will be part of the rules code, and adjustments will be made only in tournament situations and if the visiting team arrives late.

The committee also heard reports from representatives of USA Volleyball and the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO). Each organization invited a member of the committee to attend its respective annual meeting. The committee also instructed PAVO on rules and mechanics issues to be emphasized in the training of officials.

Rules survey

In a continuing effort to evaluate the current rules and to gather feedback from coaches, the committee created a timeline for the annual rules survey. A call for rules proposals will be sent to head coaches April 1 with a detailed description of the survey process.

In the area of data collection, the committee will gather match- and game-length times and the number of substitutions used each game during the period of October 1 through November 1 in the 2002 season. Six conferences per division will be selected/recruited for participation in the study. More information will be available in August.

The NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules book is to be completed by June 1. Each head coach will receive one complimentary copy. Additional books will be available for order online at NCAA Online (www.ncaa.org) or by phone. Rules books also can be viewed at no charge in the publications section of NCAA Online.

The committee's annual rules meeting for 2003 was moved up several weeks to better coincide with coaches' recruiting schedules and to expedite the distribution of information to coaches. The meeting is scheduled for January 27-30 in Indianapolis.