What are the limits on time-outs and substitutions, and what counts as a delay or improper request?

Limits (FIVB Rules 2025-2028, Rule 15): each team may request at most two time-outs (30 seconds each) and six substitutions per set. Only the coach (or, without a coach, the assistant coach or game captain) may request them. A completed rally must separate two substitution requests by the same team, except for an injury, expulsion or disqualification. The 2nd referee authorises interruptions, controls their duration, and reports the 2nd time-out and the 5th and 6th substitutions to the 1st referee and the coach.

The 2026 VA Indoor Handbook also has a 12 substitution rule (Appendix 5). For the Australian Junior Championships, matches that are no longer in medal contention are best of 3 sets with 12 substitutions permitted. Under that rule a team may make up to twelve substitutions in a set, each player may enter the court up to three times per set (the starting line-up counts as one entry), and a player re-entering must take the original position in the service order.

Improper requests (Rule 15.11): requesting during a rally or after the whistle to serve, by an unauthorised team member, a second substitution in the same interruption, or after the limits are used up. The first improper request in a match that does not delay the game is rejected and recorded with no other consequence. Any further improper request by the same team is a delay.

Delay sanctions (Rule 16): the first delay by a team in the match is a Delay Warning (yellow card shown over the wrist). The second and later delays by anyone in that team are a Delay Penalty (red card): a point and service to the opponent. Delay sanctions stay in force for the whole match and are recorded on the score sheet. Delay sanctions given before or between sets apply in the following set.

An illegal substitution noticed after play resumes costs the team a point and service, the substitution is rectified, and the points the team scored since the fault are cancelled.