Libero Sean Smart making a pass.
Dominating back row, constantly communicating, hustling, and having a strong mental game are all basic requirements for being a libero. HSE Boys Volleyball’s libero, Sean Smart, strives to embody these traits while upholding many others. Being a libero isn’t just about a defensive player that wears a different colored jersey, but a mindset.
A libero is classified as an extended defensive position and is seen as the “go-to” defensive player. They are exclusively for passing and defending, and they can substitute in and out without restrictions. In Sean Smart’s words, “A libero’s only focus is making sure that the ball never touches our side of the court no matter what. What separates liberos for DS’s [defensive specialists] is that we are pushed for perfection in only the defensive aspects of the game, not others.” Overall he says that it lets him “focus on our abilities and strive for perfection.” Alongside the definition, being a libero means to Sean that “[his] team and coach trust [him] as the most knowledgeable and skilled defender on the court. It also means that they trust the information [he] gives to peers and coaches about what [he sees] is happening with the defense and how to improve it.
As a libero, Sean leads the defense and energizes the court. Sean’s position requires superb agility, speedy reaction time, attention to detail, and constant 100% effort. In things like serve receive and defending hits, liberos have a split second to read the ball, travel to it, and execute a clean pass to the setter. These situations and many other spontaneous plays call for specialized and intense training. Sean adds that “Although people don’t always understand why, liberos need to train their legs more than anyone else. It is true that we don’t have to jump every play, but we are constantly low to the ground, moving low so that we are always in a position where we can make a play to the ball.” Sean puts about 13 hours a week into volleyball, with that number much higher if there’s a tournament. Sean’s training requires intensity, as the libero needs to be highly precise and quick. “The stamina that liberos have in their legs is often better than any other player on the team” says Sean.
Beyond the physical demand, the mental strength of a libero is just as important. In serve receive and defending hits, your mental can change your entire way of playing. Sean’s view is that “in volleyball, as much as we don’t like to admit it, we can’t keep every ball in the air. This can cause a major mental blockade because we feel that we only have that one job, and if we can’t do that job right, then why do we wear the jersey.” Mental is just as much, if not more important than the physical skill. “[bad thoughts] can lead to bad play and bad team chemistry. This is why it’s always important to keep yourself aware of your thoughts and understand that not even the best players in the world can keep every ball of the ground so all you must worry about is giving it your all every time you step on the court. “
Being a libero takes more than defensive skills. It takes hard work, trust, grit, dedication, passion, precision, and more. Sean Smart works to embody these skills and utilizes them every time he steps on the court as HSE Boys Volleyball’s libero.