Substitution (sport)
In team sports, substitution (or interchange) is replacing one player with another during a match. Substitute players that are not in the starting lineup (also known as bench players, backups or reserves) reside on the bench and are available to substitute for a starter. Later in the match, that substitute may be substituted for by another substitute or by a starter who is currently on the bench.
Some sports have restrictions on substituting or interchanging players whereas others do not. American football, ice hockey and basketball are examples of sports which practice "unlimited" substitution, albeit subject to certain rules. Substitution is unlimited during play in ice hockey. In basketball, substitution is permitted only during stoppages of play, but is otherwise unlimited. In baseball, substitution is permitted only during stoppages of play, and once a player has been substituted out of a game he cannot reenter it.
In motorsports, a substitution behind the wheel goes by the term "relief driver."
See also
- Interchange (Australian rules football)
- Interchange (rugby league)
- Substitute (association football)
- Substitute (cricket)
- Basketball#Playing regulation
- Baseball rules#Substitutions