How do substitutions and time-outs work?

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Number of substitutions: under Volleyball England's adopted test rules for 2026/27, each team may make up to eight substitutions per set (the standard FIVB rule is six). Who can swap with whom (FIVB Rule 15) A starting player can leave the game once per set and come back once per set, but only into their original position in the line-up. A substitute can come on once per set, in place of a starter, and can only be replaced by that same starter. Several players can be substituted in one request, but a team can't make two separate substitution requests in the same break: there must be a completed rally in between (except for an injury or expulsion). If an injured or expelled player can't be replaced legally, the team gets an exceptional substitution: any player not on court (except a libero or their regular replacement) can come on, and the injured player can't return in that match. Time-outs: each team may take two time-outs per set, each lasting 30 seconds, requested by the coach (or game captain if there's no coach) when the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service. Libero replacements don't count as substitutions. Volley 4s has its own substitution options.