MPPSC 2018 Prelims Q49: 'Libero' is related to which

Q: What is the answer to MPPSC 2018 Prelims Q49?

D. Correct — D, Volleyball. The 'libero' is a specialist back-row defensive player in volleyball, introduced into the international game in 1998. The libero wears a contrasting-coloured jersey, plays only in the back court, cannot attack the ball from above the height of the net, and is not a regular server.

MPPSC 2018 Prelims Paper-I · Question 49 of 100

Verified against the official question paper. Answer as per the official MPPSC answer key.

'Libero' is related to which game?

(a)Kabaddi
(b)Kho-Kho
(c)Basketball
(d)Volleyball

Answer

Why

Correct — D, Volleyball. The 'libero' is a specialist back-row defensive player in volleyball, introduced into the international game in 1998. The libero wears a contrasting-coloured jersey, plays only in the back court, cannot attack the ball from above the height of the net, and is not a regular server.

Why the others are wrong

(a)Kabaddi — Kabaddi has 'raiders' and defenders (corners, covers, ins) — there is no 'libero' role.
(b)Kho-Kho — Kho-Kho is played by chasers and runners; it has no position called 'libero'.
(c)Basketball — Basketball positions are guard, forward and centre; 'libero' is not a basketball term.

Concept

A libero is volleyball's defensive specialist — a back-row player who focuses on receiving serves and 'digging' attacks. To make the role visible to referees, the libero wears a jersey of a different colour and follows special limits: no attacking the ball above net height and, under FIVB rules, no serving. The position was added to the international game in 1998.

The word 'libero' (Italian/Latin for 'free') was historically also used for the sweeper in football, which can mislead. Among the given options, though, only volleyball uses 'libero' as a defined playing position — so volleyball is the answer.

Key facts

'Libero' means 'free' (Italian / Latin).
In volleyball it is a back-row defensive specialist, introduced in 1998.
The libero wears a contrasting-coloured jersey and cannot spike above net height.
Volleyball is played 6-a-side; the libero substitutes freely for back-row players.

Study next

Volleyball rules, positions and number of players'Term to sport' general-knowledge matchingIndigenous team sports: kabaddi and kho-khoOlympic team sports and their formatsSporting terms borrowed from Italian/French

Common traps

'Libero' is also the old football (soccer) 'sweeper' — but here only volleyball is an option
Confusing the libero with basketball or kabaddi defensive roles

Direct 'this term belongs to which game' matching — tie 'libero' firmly to volleyball.

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

Practice

practice — not a real PYQ
How many players are there in each team on a volleyball court at one time?
- (a)5
- (b)6
- (c)7
- (d)11
Answer(b) 6 players per side.
practice — not a real PYQ
The libero in volleyball is primarily a specialist in which aspect of play?
- (a)Serving
- (b)Blocking and spiking
- (c)Back-court defence (digging and receiving)
- (d)Setting
Answer(c) Back-court defence — digging and serve-receive.