In team sports, substitution (or interchange) is replacing one player with another during a match. Substitute players that are not in the

starting lineup In sports, a starting lineup is an official list of the set of players who will participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as ''starters'', whereas the others are ''substitutes'' o ...

(also known as bench players, backups, interchange, 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. Futsal,

handball Handball (also known as team handball, European handball or Olympic handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the g ...

, ice hockey and lacrosse are examples of sports which allow an unlimited number of substitutions at any time during the game, subject to certain rules. American football, basketball, and water polo are examples of sports that allow unlimited substitutions during stoppages of play, but not during live play. Association football, baseball, and rugby are examples of sports where teams are only permitted a limited number of substitutions during a game. In

motorsports Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...

, a substitution behind the wheel goes by the term "relief driver."

See also