Substitutions in volleyball are a great way to keep all players engaged in the match and change the flow of the game. Know about different volleyball positions is crucial for every player to follow volleyball substitution rules. But it’s not just pulling a player out of the court and sending the other onto. If you don’t follow the basic volleyball substitution rules, you may have a hot mess on your hands. So, learning about the substitution rules for volleyball is a must for all players, irrespective of their experience level.
These rules vary from organization to organization. When it comes to competitive 6 vs. 6 volleyball, the rules are set out by the FIVB (International Federation of Volleyball). The other organizations in the USA, like the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) or USAV (United States Association of Volleyball), may also set their own rules or simply follow those set by FIVB. Let’s take a closer look at all substitution rules set by these associations.
What is Substitution in Volleyball?
In simple words, substitution in volleyball is the replacement of players. Lets’s break it down further. FIVB rulebook, in its section (15.5.1), states that the substitution is the act where e player other than the Libero enters the court to occupy the position of another player who is just leaving the court at that time.
Both of these players must be part of the team roster and enlisted in the score sheet. A player going in for substitution waits for the other player on the sideline between the attack line and centerline. Once both players have met on the sideline, they wait for the scorer’s table and referee to allow the substitution officially. The substitution rules apply to all players except for the Libero (or their replacements). Is your team handling substitutions correctly? To get the answer, continue reading!
Basic Volleyball Substitution Rules
To have knowledge about basic substitution rules for volleyball, go through the below section:
When to Make Substitutions
Substitutions can be made during a dead ball. This means that the ball must be out of play before a player can be substituted in or out. Players entering the game must report to the scorer’s table and wait for permission from the referee before entering the court.
How Many Substitutions Are Allowed in Volleyball Per Set?
The number of substitutions allowed in volleyball per set varies depending on the level of competition. According to FIVB, each team is allowed 6 substitutions per set. In high school and collegiate volleyball in the United States (NCAA), each team is allowed 15 substitutions per set. USAV allows a max of 12 substitutions per set, and even the team asks for an Exceptional substitution when the team has reached 12 substitutions, but now a player has been injured and needs replacement.
Player Positions
When a player is substituted in volleyball, they must take the position of the player they are replacing. This means that if a middle blocker is substituted, the player coming in must also be a middle blocker.
Where Can Substitutions Be Made?
In volleyball, substitutions are restricted to the substitution zone, meaning that players can only be replaced from within this designated area of the court.
How Many Players Can Be Substituted at Once?
Substitution can be made by one player at a time or more players simultaneously, depending on the needs of the team.
What is An Illegal Substitution in Volleyball?
An illegal substitution in volleyball occurs when a team surpasses the maximum number of allowed substitutions during a game or replaces a player with someone who has already been substituted or an unregistered player, or a player with no proper uniform.
Teams will be penalized for illegal substitutions. The penalty may include the loss of a point or even disqualification from the game.
Libero Substitution Rules for Volleyball
In volleyball, the Libero replacement isn’t considered a normal substitution, so it has different rules.
- There can be 1 or 2 Liberos on the team.
- A Libero can only be replaced by a 2nd Libero.
- Liberoes can only replace the back-row players.
- If a team plays with 2 Liberos, the replacements between Liberos are countless.
- If a team plates with only 1 Libero and when that player is unable to play, the team has the right to remove that player and re-designate a new Libero that will take the responsibility till the end of the match.
- If the team plans for libero substitutions, it must be approved by 2nd referee at the beginning of the set.
- There must be at least 1 rally gap between Libero replacements.
- The players must exit or enter through the Libero replacement zone
- The replacement can only take place at the time when the ball is dead.
Exceptional Substitutions
In volleyball, any player (except the Libero or their replacement) who is unable to continue playing due to illness or injury should be substituted legally. However, in some cases, the team I swallowed to make an EXCEPTIONAL substitution.
In exceptional substitution, any player (Except Libero) who isn’t on the court at the time of injury can substitute an injured or ill player. However, the substituted injured player isn’t permitted to re-enter the match.
Conclusion
That’s all about volleyball substitution rules. Putting it in a nutshell, substitutions are very simple to carry out if the team is familiar with basic volleyball rules. Bear in mind your team may lose a point if it’s found to have committed some illegal substitution. Further, the referee will halt the game if the substitution rules aren’t properly followed. So, make sure your team is aware of how to substitute correctly. Practice this strategy before playing on higher levels.