Substitutions (Volleyball)

During a game, there are two ways in which a player may be substituted onto the court – player for player positional substitutions OR continuous rotation. Only one of these methods may be used by a team in a given set. The Captains/Coaches must declare which substitution method they would like to use before each set, and continue it throughout the entire set.

• Positional Substitution.
  • Substitutes may enter the game in the position of a teammate in the starting lineup. Each re-entry must be for the same player or position in the rotation. More than one substitute may enter the game at a time. The player or players subbing in must stand in the substitution area between the 10 foot line and the net. An unlimited number of substitutions are allowed. Captains/Coaches are responsible for tracking their own substitutions by name (on a pad or clipboard).
• Continuous Rotation.
  • Continuous rotations will be allowed. Once a continuous rotation has been declared, the team is committed to the continuous rotation for the entire game. NO substitutions will be allowed, except for an injury (the exceptional substitution). The point of entry and exit must stay the same throughout the game. If a player is not involved in the continuous rotation and will be sitting out the entire game, the captain/coach must let the referee and opposing captain/coach know in advance.
• If a player is injured and there is only one substitute available, that sub may enter the game for the injured player, regardless of where he/she subbed in before (the exceptional substitution).
• An illegal substitution, whether intentional or not, will result in a loss of rally for the offending team with a point awarded to the opposing team. If the offending team is serving, the opponent also receives the ball. The team must also make the correction in rotation or position immediately.