Is there a limit on subs in soccer?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

In most professional and international soccer matches, teams are limited to a maximum of 3 substitutions during open play. However, additional substitutions may be permitted in certain scenarios like injuries or extra time. The number of possible substitutions is outlined in the rules and regulations set by the governing body organizing the specific competition. For example, in World Cup matches governed by FIFA, a maximum of 3 subs are allowed.

What are the substitution rules in soccer?

The rules regarding substitutions in a soccer match can vary depending on the level and governing body. Here are some of the standard guidelines:

In professional matches governed by FIFA like the World Cup, teams are allowed a maximum of 3 substitutions per match during open play. These can be made at any time during the match, but play must be stopped for the substitution to take place.

In collegiate, high school, or recreational leagues, the rules may allow unlimited substitutions or a higher maximum like 7 subs per team. This allows coaches more flexibility in managing their roster.
Extra substitutions are usually permitted in the event of injuries. If a player cannot continue due to an injury, his team can make an additional substitution above the limit to replace him.
In matches that go into extra time or overtime, teams may be allowed 1 or more extra subs even if they’ve used up their original allotment. For example, in World Cup knockout games, 1 extra sub is allowed in extra time.

So in summary, while 3 subs is the standard limit, organizational rules can allow variations based on the context of the match. It’s important for teams and players to understand the specific rules and sub policies in place for each competition.

Why are substitutions limited in soccer?

There are a few key reasons substitutions are limited in regulation play:

Preserve the Flow of the Game – Soccer is meant to be free-flowing, without frequent stops and interruptions. Limiting the number of possible subs helps preserve this flow and avoids unnecessary game stoppages.

Strategy – Having a restriction forces teams to be more careful and strategic with their substitutions. Coaches must decide the optimal times and situations to use their limited subs.
Fairness – Limiting subs helps maintain competitive balance, as one team can’t endlessly replace tired players while the other team has to leave starters on.
Prevent Time Wasting – Additional subs could allow teams to deliberately waste time off the clock by making frequent changes late in a match.

The 3 sub limit strikes a good balance – allowing occasional squad rotation and strategy while keeping the focus on consistent 11 vs. 11 play. But governing bodies can tweak sub rules as needed to suit different styles of play or match formats.

When can exceptions be made to allow extra substitutions?

Leagues or competitions may allow exceptions to the substitution limit in special cases, typically related to:

Injuries – If a player suffers an injury that prevents them continuing, their team will almost always be granted an extra sub above the limit to replace them on the field.

Youth or Recreational Games – Youth, school, social or recreational leagues will sometimes have more relaxed sub rules to give more game time to inexperienced players.
Extra Time – In cup, playoff, or international knockout games that go to extra time, an additional 1-2 subs may be granted since the game is extended beyond regulation length.
Extreme Weather – During matches with extreme heat or cold, extra subs may prevent injury or exhaustion when playing for prolonged periods in intense conditions.

So player injuries, youth matches, overtime, and dangerous weather conditions are scenarios where officials commonly make exceptions to allow extra subs as needed for safety or fairness. But the original sub limits will apply to a standard length match under normal conditions.

How are substitutions handled in soccer?

The basic process for making a substitution in a soccer match is:

The manager/coach of the team wishing to make a sub will signal to the fourth official or referee that they want to use a sub.

The referee will indicate permission for the sub by holding up a numbered board when play reaches a suitable stoppage.
The player coming off the field exits at the halfway line, and the new player enters from there (after checking in with the fourth official).
Play resumes once the new player is on the field. The sub must wait until the departing player is off before entering.

The sub is officially complete once the new player sets foot on the field. At this point the sub counts against the team’s total allowed subs for the match.

Substitutions must always take place during an official stoppage in play – the ball must be out of bounds and the referee must signal approval. Players are expected to exit and enter the field quickly to minimize game delays. Failure to properly coordinate subs can result in cautions for time wasting.

What happens if a team tries to make too many substitutions?

If a team attempts to substitute more players than are permitted under the rules for that match, the referee will disallow or cancel any sub beyond the limit. Some potential consequences include:

If an extra sub takes place inadvertently, the referee may caution or show a yellow card to the team captain or manager responsible.
If it seems intentional, a direct red card could be justified since attempting invalid subs is considered unsporting behavior.
The extra sub will be sent back to the bench and the original player has to return to the field instead.

Play will be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opponents at the spot where the ball was when the invalid sub occurred.

So while honest mistakes will just result in a reversed sub, deliberately flouting the rules could earn penalties and ejections for the offending team. Referees have the power to enforce substitution limits strictly.

What are the criteria for extra subs in extra time?

During matches that go to extra time or overtime after finishing drawn in regulation, teams are frequently granted permission to use 1 or more additional subs. For example:

In FIFA tournaments like the World Cup, 1 extra substitution is allowed in extra time even if teams used their maximum 3 subs already.
In domestic cup games, leagues may allow 1 or 2 extra subs depending on how many were used during regulation play.
The extra subs in extra time can be made at any point – there is no requirement to wait until before or after the midway break.

Only players who were on the official match roster can be brought on as extra time subs.

So the criteria are fairly simple – teams get additional subs specifically for use during extra time periods only. This provides some flexibility for managers to insert fresh legs late in an intense knockout match.

How many substitutes are allowed on the bench in soccer?

In addition to the 3-5 players who can actively substitute into the match, teams are also permitted to name a certain number of extra players to their matchday squad to sit on the bench as potential backup options:

FIFA competitions like World Cups allow a total matchday squad of 23 players, so with 11 starters that means 12 possible substitutes on the bench.
UEFA allows 12 substitutes on the bench for competitions like the Champions League.
Most domestic leagues globally cap the bench at around 5-7 substitute players who can enter the match if called upon.

Squads frequently name the full complement of allowed subs to give their manager more strategic options in-game.

So in general, while 3 is the common in-game sub limit, teams can designate a bench of 5+ additional players who may warm up and potentially come on if needed. The size of the matchday squad is restricted to keep overall roster sizes reasonable.

Can a player be subbed back in after being substituted out?

Once a player is substituted out of a soccer match, they normally cannot re-enter play again during that game. A player substituted off becomes ineligible to return to the field, and their team must use a new sub to provide a replacement if needed.

However, there are certain special scenarios where a substituted player may be allowed to come back in:

Some youth, amateur, or recreational leagues allow free subs or re-entry as an instructional rule.
In tournaments with penalty shootouts, players subbed off in regulation can return to participate in the shootout.

If a goalkeeper suffers an injury after his team has used all subs, an outfield player may come back on briefly as emergency GK.
Very rarely, if a team has no eligible subs left but then suffers multiple injuries, a previously subbed player might return with referee approval.

So in the vast majority of standard cases, once a player is subbed out in a competitive match they cannot come back on. The only exceptions are for special shootout, injury, or recreational league rules.

Are there limits on when substitutions can be made?

While substitutions were previously restricted to certain stoppages, the rules today allow subs at any point during the match provided play has halted and the referee signals consent. The only general limitations are:

The ball must clearly be out of play – throw-ins, goal kicks, etc – before the ref will allow a substitution.
Subs made at obvious interruptions tend to be processed faster than in the middle of dynamic play.

The referee may delay approving a sub immediately after a goal, penalty, or if game flow seems disrupted.
Excessive repeated subs for time wasting may be cautioned or rejected at the referee’s discretion.

But otherwise, modern soccer does not limit when subs can occur – coaches have great freedom to change personnel whenever they choose during the run of play. The focus is on minimizing delay when subs are made at any juncture of the match.

Conclusion

To summarize key points on substitution rules in soccer:

The standard limit is 3 substitutions per team during regulation play, though some leagues may allow more.
Limits help maintain fairness, flow, and strategy without excessive stoppages.

Extra subs are typically permitted for injuries, youth matches, extra time periods, or extreme weather conditions.
Subbed players normally cannot return after being replaced, with some special exceptions.
Teams can name ~5-12 extra players as potential subs on the matchday bench besides 11 starters.

The referee controls the substitution process during suitable stoppages, and can disallow invalid attempts.

Understanding the nuances of soccer’s sub rules provides key insights into the sport’s unique rhythms and strategic elements. While complex, the focus on limited substitutions aims to balance fairness, injuries, freshness, and flow to heighten the drama of the beautiful game.

Substitution Data Table

Tournament	Subs Allowed During Game	Total Subs on Bench
FIFA World Cup	3	12
English Premier League	3	7
UEFA Champions League	3	12
NCAA Soccer	Unlimited	7