How do substitutions work?

Limits (Rule 15.1 and 15.6):

• Each team may make up to 6 substitutions per set.
• A starting player may leave the game once per set, and re-enter once per set, but only to their previous position in the line-up.
• A substitute may enter once per set, in place of a starting player, and can only be replaced by that same starting player.
• Libero replacements don't count as substitutions.

How to substitute (Rule 15.10):

• The request is made when the substitute(s) enter the substitution zone ready to play during an interruption. The coach doesn't need to signal, except for an injury substitution or one before the set starts.
• If the substitute isn't ready, the substitution is refused and the team gets a delay sanction.
• Several players can be substituted in one request, but they must all enter the zone together. A team can't make two separate substitution requests in the same interruption, and there must be a completed rally between two requests (except for injury, expulsion or disqualification).

Exceptional substitution (Rule 15.7): if an injured, ill, expelled or disqualified player can't be replaced legally, any player not on court (except a libero or their replacement player) may come on, beyond the normal limits. An injured player replaced this way can't return in that match.

Illegal substitution (Rule 15.9): if play has restarted after an illegal substitution, the opponent gets a point and service, the substitution is corrected, and any points your team scored since the fault are cancelled.