What to write, event by event
| Event | Scoresheet | Libero tracker |
|---|---|---|
| Point to the serving team | Strike the next number in its running score. | Nothing. |
| Point to the receiving team (side out) | Strike its next number; write the serving team's score in the server's service box. The receiving team rotates. | If the rotation takes a libero to the front row, the replaced player comes back: write the number. |
| Substitution | Entering number and score (own team first) under the position of the player leaving; tick the count. | Entering number under that position, when the team has a libero. |
| Libero replaces a player | Circle the libero number the first time that libero enters. | L under the player's position. |
| Player comes back for the libero | Nothing. | The player's number under the L. |
| Second libero exchanges in | Circle its number the first time it enters. | Nothing (2026-27 NFHS interpretation). |
| A libero serves for the first time | The service box as usual. | Note the serving position. It is the only one for the set. |
| Time-out | The score, requesting team first, in its next time-out box. | Tell the second referee each team's libero status (NFHS). |
| Card, delay or improper request | Sanctions box: team, type (DW, DP, Y, R, IR), number (T team, C coach), score. A red card or delay penalty is a point to the opponent. | Nothing. |
| End of set | Close the last term, write both final scores and the winner. | Start a new sheet for the next set. |
The numbers
| Limit | Club | High school |
|---|---|---|
| Substitutions per set | 15 | 18 |
| Time-outs per set | 2, 30 s | 2, up to 60 s |
| Set, deciding set | 25, 15 | 25, 15 |
| Liberos per set | 0 to 2 | 0 to 2 |
Stop it, do not write it
- A player coming back in a different position, or in the same dead ball they left.
- A substitution past the limit, or a second request in one dead ball.
- A libero entering as a substitute, being substituted for, or replacing a front row player.
- Two liberos on the court, or a libero serving in a second position.
- Someone other than the replaced player coming back for the libero.
- A third time-out, or the wrong server at the line.
Common mistakes at the table
- Falling behind: write each box before the next serve, not at the next time-out.
- Writing a request before checking it. Check first, then write, or flag.
- Scores the wrong way round: the team concerned always comes first.
Blank sheets to print
Scorerdesk's own practice layout, with the usual fields in the usual order. Hand them out at a training night and play a set from projection mode, or practise alone with the daily set.
Scorerdesk practice sheet, not an official scoresheet. Scorerdesk is not affiliated with USA Volleyball, the NFHS, any region, state association, league or club.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 27 September 2026. Rules are paraphrased, never quoted at length, and local procedures differ by region, state and tournament; where yours differ, follow your referees.
- NFHS Volleyball Rules Book, 2026-27 edition. rule 5 (scorer and libero tracker duties), 6 (positions and serving order), 7 (lineups), 10 (substitution and libero replacement), 11 (time-outs).
- 2026-27 NFHS Volleyball Rules Interpretations, 6 August 2026. situations 1 to 4 on two liberos: one shared serving position, circling each libero's first entry on the scoresheet, and nothing on the tracker for an exchange between liberos.
- USA Volleyball Indoor Rules 2025-2027, published August 2025. rules 7 (rotation), 15 (substitutions, time-outs and improper requests), 16 (delays), 19 (the libero), 25 and 26 (scorer and assistant scorer).