Volleyball Illegal Substitution
Substitutions are a key part of any volleyball game, but an illegal substitution can provide a team with a very unfair advantage. This violation exists to make sure teams follow proper substitution practices throughout a match. If teams fail to execute substitutions correctly, they will be issued a penalty.
Definition
An illegal substitution in volleyball occurs when a substitution does not follow the rules for a standard substitution in a volleyball game. The volleyball substitution rules state that a player can be substituted only once per set, and six players can be substituted per set. This player may re-enter the game during a later set.
When replacing a player on the court, a substitute must also enter the game in the same position. For example, a substitute for an attacker must enter the game as an attacker, a setter’s substitute must play the set as a setter, and a blocker must be replaced by a blocker. Players may not change their original rotation through substitutions, so they must be substituted in their original position when rejoining the game.
If a player is injured during the game, they can be substituted, but if the team no longer has any legal substitutions left, the coach can use the “exception substitution.” In this case, the injured player can not join the game at a later time. The exception substitution does not need to be signaled by the coach, but it must be recorded on the score sheet.
If a player is disqualified during the game, they also must be substituted, but if the team has no substitutions left, the team must play with one less player until the next legal substitution is permitted. An illegal substitution is called when the team has exceeded the number of substitutions allowed per game or if a player is replaced with an unregistered player.
Result
If a team attempts to replace a player with an illegal substitute, they are charged with unnecessary delay of game. If the illegal substitute is identified after the whistle goes off for the team to serve, they are charged with illegal alignment and lose a point. Any points scored by the serving team while an illegal substitute was on the court during the set will be lost. If the team is receiving, all points earned in the previous term while the illegal substitute was on the court will be canceled.
Referee Signal
When this violation is called, the referee blows their whistle to stop the game. They will then raise their hand and move it repeatedly in a circular motion to signal that an illegal substitution has been identified. Lastly, the referee will point to the illegally substituted player and charge them with a penalty.
Examples
- A player who is not registered is substituted for another player of the same position.
- A player is substituted back into the same set they were substituted out of.
- A player is substituted after the team has already used all of their substitutions.
Helpful Links
Similar Violations to Illegal Substitution
- Unnecessary Delay of Game
- Illegal Libero Replacement
- Rotational Fault
FAQ
What is an illegal substitution in volleyball?
An illegal substitution in volleyball is when a player is substituted illegally, not following the rules for executing substitutions properly. This can happen when a non-registered player is substituted into the game or when a team uses more substitutions than allowed during a set. A player can only be substituted once per set and may not re-enter the game during the same set. A substituted player must play out the set in the same position the player they replaced was in.
What are the consequences of being called for an illegal substitution in volleyball?
If an illegal substitute is put in the game, they are charged with unnecessary delay of game. If the whistle has already been blown for the team to serve, and the illegal substitution is identified, they are charged with illegal alignment and lose a point. All points scored by the team who was serving while an illegal substitute was on the court will be lost. If the team is receiving the ball, all points they earned during the time they were serving while the illegal substitute was on the court will be canceled.
How do substitutions work in volleyball?
A coach can request a substitution by signaling to the referees or by the player entering the substitution zone. The referee then whistles and signals that the substitution may occur. The substitute then reports their number to the second referee and the number of the player they are replacing. If multiple substitutions are taking place, they occur in succession.