How do I record substitutions and time-outs, and what makes a substitution illegal?

Recording: the scorer is empowered to acknowledge and announce requests for player substitutions by buzzer, controls their number, records the substitutions and time-outs, and informs the second referee. The scorer also notifies the referees of a request for a regular game interruption that is out of order.

Limits per set: two time-outs and six substitutions per team. In Volleyball Canada 14U and 15U competitions the maximum is 12 limited substitutions per team per set. All requested time-outs last 60 seconds in Volleyball Canada competition.

Limited substitutions: a starting player may leave once and re-enter once, only to his or her previous position. A substitute may enter once per set, and can only be replaced by the same starting player.

Sequence: no consecutive substitution requests in the same interruption, and a completed rally is needed between two separate substitution requests (except a forced substitution for injury, expulsion or disqualification).

Exceptional substitutions: these are not counted as regular substitutions but are recorded on the score sheet as part of the total substitutions in the set and the match.

Illegal substitution: one that exceeds the limits or involves an unregistered player. If play has resumed, the team at fault is penalized with a point and service to the opponent, the substitution is rectified, and the points the team scored since the fault are cancelled while the opponent's points remain valid.

Source: Volleyball Canada 2026-2027 Official Volleyball Rules, Rules 15 and 27.2.2.