How do substitutions work?
Rule- USA
- NFHS
- Middle school
- Grades 6-8 (ages 11-14)
- NFHS rules
- 2026-27 season
- Coaches
- A substitute must report to the scorer and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official, then enter at once (except between quarters and during a timeout).
- Substitutions happen when the ball is dead and the clock is stopped.
- Halftime: substitutes (or a team representative) must report to the scorer before the 15-second warning at the end of halftime. Otherwise, the players who ended the second quarter start the third.
- After a timeout: report, or be in position to report, before the warning signal.
- A player you take out can't come back in until the next substitution opportunity after the clock has properly started following that player's replacement.
- You can't replace a designated jumper, or a free thrower shooting for a personal foul, unless that player is injured or disqualified.
- After a disqualification or injury, you have a 15-second replacement interval to send in a substitute.
Added 21 Oct 2026