What are the substitution rules at U16, U17 and U18?

The 2026 Youth Nationals guide (section 6.3) sets 16U to 18U at 6 limited substitutions per set at National Championships (15U is 12 limited, and 14U uses Fair Play). The 2027 guide was not yet available when this was written.

Under the Volleyball Canada 2026-27 rulebook:

• Each team may request a maximum of two time-outs and six substitutions per set (rule 15.1).
• Limited substitution (15.6.1 and 15.6.2): a starter may leave once in a set and re-enter once, only to the previous position; a substitute may enter for a starter once per set and can only be replaced by that same starter.
• There must be a completed rally between two separate substitution requests by the same team, except for a forced substitution due to injury, expulsion or disqualification (15.2.3).
• Two or more players may be substituted in the same request.
• If a player (other than the libero) cannot continue because of injury or illness, or is expelled or disqualified, and a legal substitution is not possible, the team may make an exceptional substitution with any player not on court, except the libero, second libero or their replacement. That player may not re-enter the match (15.7).
• A substitution before the start of a set is allowed and counts as a regular substitution in that set (15.3.2).