How do substitutions work now, including for goalkeepers, and what if a team has too many players on?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Hockey Association
- FIH Rules of Hockey 2027
- Outdoor hockey
- Senior
- 2027
- Umpires
Team (FIH Terminology and Rule 2): up to 16 people: 11 on the field and up to 5 substitutes, unless regulations vary it. Each team plays with a goalkeeper (different-coloured shirt, at least headgear, leg guards and kickers) or with field players only.
Substitutions (Rule 2.3):
- Unlimited, any number at once, at any time, except from the award of a penalty corner until it's completed. During a corner, only an injured or suspended defending goalkeeper may be substituted (by another goalkeeper or a field player).
- The player leaving must be off the field first. Players leave and enter within 3 m of the centre-line on the team bench side.
- No substitute for a suspended player during the suspension. After it, the player may be substituted without returning first.
- Time isn't stopped for substitutions.
Goalkeeper substitutions (revised for 2027):
- Time no longer has to be stopped. A goalkeeper may leave during play and be replaced, including by a field player, through the substitution area like anyone else.
- A team may still ask for time to be stopped for a goalkeeper substitution (and regulations may require that request). Time isn't extended for putting on or taking off kit.
- Only when time is stopped may a goalkeeper replaced by a field player leave near their own goal, and they must go straight to the team bench.
Too many players (Rule 2.1):
- Stop time to correct it. If it materially affected the match, the captain must get a yellow card.
- Decisions already made can't be changed once play has restarted. Restart with a free hit to the opponents, unless a penalty had just been awarded against the offending team.
Injured or bleeding players (2.7) must leave the field (unless medically unsafe) and can't return until wounds are covered and blood-stained clothing is changed.
Added 22 Oct 2026