Players and Substitutes

Article 1 – Registration

All players must be registered by name and number with the scorer prior to the start of the game.

Note 1: Any score made by a non-registered player is legal, provided the player is then registered on the score sheet.

Article 2 – Substitution Procedure

• a) Substitutes may enter the field of play when the ball is dead and only at that time.
• b) A player leaving the game shall proceed directly to the sideline on which their bench is located, and then to the team bench in the out-of-bounds area.
• c) The sideline officials (Down Judge and Line Judge) shall control the substitutes. As soon as possible after the ball is dead on a play, they shall observe their sidelines for possible substitutes, until Team A breaks its huddle. At this time, they will raise their arms to shoulder level, after which no substitute shall enter the field for any reason – regardless of the number of players a team may have on the field.
• d) The use of substitution proceedings, or alleged substitution proceedings to deceive the opponent is illegal. If one or more Team A players or substitutes legally enter the field or leave the field, a sleeper play is illegal on the subsequent play. A "sleeper play" is defined as a pass play or kick play designed to deceive the opponent.
  • i) Occurs when an A player remains at the sideline adjacent to their team bench area,
  • ii) Often occurs with the ball on the opposite side of the field, Team A lines up quickly, snaps the ball, and throws a forward pass or lateral to a remote A player.
  • iii) A running play, a pass play or kick play to another eligible A player, not in a remote area near their team bench sideline, is legal.

e) A substitute who enters the field to the extent to be able to communicate with a teammate must remain on the field for the subsequent play.

Article 3 – Excess Number of Players

It is illegal for a team to have more than 12 players and/or substitutes on the field during a play, through an error in substitution or otherwise.

Note: Coaches, not officials, are responsible for fielding the correct number of players.