German word

Libero

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈliːbeːʁoː/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsweeper

Example

Der Libero hat viele Bälle gerettet.

The sweeper has made many saves.

Illustration for Libero (sweeper)

More examples

Als Libero ist er meist in der Annahme und Abwehr.

As a sweeper, he usually handles reception and defense.

Core concept

A defensive player who moves freely behind the main line to receive attacks and keep difficult balls in play.

Common phrases

  • der Libero der Mannschaft

    the team's sweeper

  • als Libero eingesetzt

    used as a sweeper

  • die Rolle des Libero

    the role of the sweeper

Similar words

Zuspieler: A player who sets the ball accurately to create attacking opportunities.
Außenangreifer: An attacking player who spikes from the side of the court to score.
Mittelblocker: A player at the center of the net who blocks opponents' attacks.
Diagonalangreifer: An attacking player who hits from a diagonal position to break through the block.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für einen auf Abwehr spezialisierten Spieler, besonders als feste Spezialposition im Volleyball.

Word origin

German borrowed Libero from Italian libero, meaning 'free', for a player released from a fixed marking or attacking duty.

Usage tips

  • In German, der Libero is masculine, and the usual plural is die Liberos.

Other meanings

  • defensive specialistnoun

Opposites

  • Angreiferattackernoun
  • Außenangreiferoutside attackernoun

Word lists with this word