Libero-Middle Back

Question
Hello,

This is my first year playing club volleyball at the university level. I was training to be a setter however because of my 5'5 stature i got moved to libero. I play the middle back position, and my question is:

When should i release from my base to my defensive spot (we run a perimeter defense, and i play middle back). I try to stay a while at my base in case our middle cant close the whole, and sometimes he closes it and sometimes he doesnt, and if i leave my base and dont step into the hole i get burned and if i stay and he closes the hole then the deep line shot is wide open and i get burned there as well. (assuming they run outside sets or back sets).

Also, i have a confidence problem when i play libero. I just feel like i dont have enought expierence and they expect so much out of me and i want my team to depend on me, but i just get in my head and manage to mess up. I feel like im more confident in my setting but my team needs a libero.  How can i get confidence to play this libero position? Please Help!

Thank you!
Thank you  

Answer
Welcome Felix to www.ALLExperts.com

Well Felix, I used to play as both a defense specialist(libero) and a setter for my college club team. I was very good at it because I remembered two steps in the whole defensive process.

1. Which set type will leave our team more defenseless.

Explanation: I would always take a small step towards a quick, meter, shoot, or rainbow      
set(soft shoot), or when the setter got the ball to set it. I will do this because those
type of sets will burn you every time, especially when you have 3 front row players
spread out all hitting meter sets. If you take a quick 8 inch step towards the
play, you will have an advantage of starting you up to move towards the play as
quickly as possible plus it will get you to balance yourself back into a
receiving/defensive position.

2. Go through a step plan.

Explanation:
Step 1: Identify the 3 front row players, know where they are at all times(remember their no.'s).
Step 2: Take a step as soon as the ball is bumped once by your opponent becasue the
ball might be over bumped and they might hit a 12 or 14 play. This means that any 2nd player eligible to hit the ball, can hit the ball.
Step 3: Take a step when the setter is about to set the ball for a spike and/or a drop ball(expect anything)
Step 4: Take a step when a player(s) looks like they are going to hit a quick ,meter,or a soft shoot.
Step 5: Take a step when your opponent is about to hit the ball so that you can wait for the dink plus taking a step will take you into motion to get a  ball that has been tipped.

Use your words instead of the 5 steps. Ex. Steps 1-5 = hitters ,bump ,setter ,quick ,dink. Use these five words as they are happening to remind you of your five steps. You can change these or add to them later.

EXTRA HELP: Go to www.YouTube.com and look at college volleyball mens and womens libero players. DO NOT FOLLOW Olympic Liberos because you will not be able to be consistent with the way they play this position.

PS I have a website that totally destroys any defense and even though these five steps will not help you with my new system, it will help you with any other team in the world. My website lets you create hundreds of plays without having to learn all the plays plus lets you destroy defenses. Membership is always free. My website name is www.volleyballplaystorun.com

Again Thank you for using www.AllExperts.com
Please send me any replies if you need more help.
Coach Tovar