How do substitutions work?

The 2026 handbook sets two substitution limits per set:

• A maximum of 6 substitutions per set in all medal-contention matches.
• The twelve (12) substitution rule in non-medal-contention matches.

Under the twelve substitution rule:

• A team can make a maximum of 12 substitutions in a set.
• A player may enter the court a maximum of three times in a set. The starting line-up counts as one entry, so a starter has two entries left.
• A player re-entering must take the original position in the service order relative to teammates.
• Any number of players may enter the set in each position in the service order.

Under the FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, a substitution request cannot be followed by another consecutive request in the same interruption, and there must be a completed rally between two substitution requests by the same team (except for forced substitutions for injury or expulsion).