How many substitutions are permitted for a team in a field hockey match?

Under the rules of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), there is no limit on the number of substitutions a team can make during a field hockey match. This system is called "rolling substitutions".

How substitutions work in hockey:

Each team can name up to 16 players for a match: 11 on the field and 5 substitutes (some tournaments allow more).

Players can be substituted at any time, as often as the team wants. A player who has been substituted can come back on the field later.

Substitutions are made at the halfway line, within a set area, without needing the umpire's permission. The outgoing player must leave the field before the replacement comes on.

Time is not stopped for substitutions, except for a substitution of the goalkeeper.

Substitutions are not allowed while a penalty corner is being taken (except for the defending goalkeeper in case of injury).

A player who is suspended (shown a green, yellow or red card) cannot be replaced during the suspension.

Why rolling substitutions?

Hockey is very fast and tiring, so fresh players keep the pace high. The FIH introduced unlimited rolling substitutions in the 1990s.

Substitution rules in other sports:

• Football: up to 5 substitutions in most competitive matches; players who leave cannot return.
• Basketball: unlimited substitutions.
• Ice hockey: unlimited, often "on the fly".
• Cricket: substitutes can field but cannot bat or bowl, except for concussion replacements and the IPL's "Impact Player" rule (since 2023).
• Volleyball: up to 6 substitutions per set (under FIVB rules).
• Kabaddi: up to 5 substitutes in the squad.

Why not the other options?

• ✗3 substitutions was the old limit in football before 2020.
• ✗5 substitutions is the current football limit in most competitions.
• ✗7 is not a limit used in hockey.