Soccer Substitution Rules

In soccer, substitutions are normally made for one of two reasons: a player is injured or tired and needs to be replaced, or for tactical reasons.

It’s a straightforward swap between two players -- the substitute (previously waiting off the field of play) replaces a player (who leaves the field, becoming a substituted player). The substituted player cannot re-enter the game.

Soccer Substitution Procedure

A substitution can only be made during a stoppage in play (including during the half-time interval and the interval before extra time). Making a substitution is simple, but there is a procedure to follow:

• Your coach tells the linesman (assistant referee) that he wants to make a substitution during the next stoppage in play.
• The linesman signals to the referee that a substitution has been requested (in professional games, the linesman uses an electronic board to show the numbers of the two players being swapped).
• The referee gives the substituted player permission to leave the field (unless he is already off the field due to injury). Always wait until you receive permission -- leaving the field without permission is a yellow card offence according to the Laws of the Game.
• The ref then gives the substitute permission to enter the field of play (entering without permission is also a yellow card offence). The incoming player must enter the field on the halfway line -- and only after the outgoing player has left the field.
• The substitution is complete as soon as the substitute enters the field of play. The substituted player cannot re-enter the game.

More Soccer Substitution Rules

There are a few more substitution rules in the official FIFA Laws of the Game:

• The referee can deny or delay a substitution if necessary. For example, the substitute may not be ready to enter the game.
• If a substitution is made during half-time or before extra time, the referee must still be informed and permission must be received. The substitute will then enter the game at the start of the second half or extra time
• If a player refuses to leave the field, the referee must allow play to continue (the substitution cannot be made). You should never refuse to be substituted! Your coach will be incredibly angry and might even throw you out of the team.

If you have any questions about the soccer substitution rule, feel free to ask in the comments box below. Thanks! 

Photo © Mary Keogh, flickr.com

Read More About the Laws of the Game:

• The Drop Ball Rule
• The Back-Pass Rule
• The Advantage Rule