How do substitutions work indoors, and what if we have too many players on?

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Accepted Answer

Team (Indoor Terminology and Rule 2): up to 12 people: 6 on the field and up to 6 substitutes. You play with a goalkeeper or with six field players. Substitutions (Rule 2.3): Unlimited, any number at once, at any time, except from the award of a penalty corner until it's completed (then only an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper may be replaced). The player coming off must be off the field first. Leave and enter within 3 m of the centre-line on the bench side. Time is never stopped for substitutions, including for putting on or taking off goalkeeping kit. New for 2027: the old limit on swapping a fully kitted goalkeeper for an extra field player has been removed. No substitute for a suspended player during the suspension. Players leaving for treatment or kit changes (not as a substitution) re-enter within 3 m of the centre-line on the substitution side. Too many players (Rule 2.1 and 3.4): time is stopped to fix it. If it materially affected the match, a penalty corner is awarded against the team that substituted wrongly, and the captain may get a personal penalty. Decisions made before it was fixed stand once play has restarted. Injured or bleeding players must leave the field and can't return until wounds are covered and blood-stained clothing is changed.