Goalkeeper Substitution Rules

Goalkeeper substitution rules by level

Leagues, states and tournaments can change these rules, so check yours before game day. For field players, see the full soccer substitution rules.

Can you sub a goalie in pro soccer?

Yes. Under the Laws of the Game (IFAB Law 3), a goalkeeper is substituted like any other player. In official competitions that allow 5 substitutes, such as top divisions and senior internationals, each team has 3 substitution opportunities plus half-time. A keeper change counts as one of the 5 substitutes, and it uses one of the 3 opportunities unless it's made at half-time.

• No return. A keeper who comes off can't go back on. The Laws allow "return substitutions" only in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots soccer, with the national association's approval.
• Concussion substitutes. Where a competition uses permanent concussion substitutes, a team may use one per match even if it has already made all its subs. The opponent then gets one extra substitute and one extra opportunity, and the replaced player takes no further part, including in a penalty shootout.
• World Cup 26. Each squad had 23 to 26 players, at least 3 of them goalkeepers, and up to 15 substitutes on the match list. Teams could use 5 subs in 3 opportunities, plus 1 more sub and 1 more opportunity in extra time.

Goalkeeper substitution rules in college soccer (NCAA)

NCAA soccer allows unlimited substitutions, up to 11 players at a time, but limits re-entry. Goalkeepers get more freedom than field players:

• Re-entry: in every division, a goalkeeper can re-enter once per period, including each overtime period (Rule 3.5.2). Field players taken off in the first half can't return until the second half. A keeper who moves out to play in the field and is then subbed off follows the field-player rules instead.
• Division I men: field players can't re-enter in the same period, and teams get 6 substitution moments per game. Keepers keep their once-per-period re-entry, but the team "must have a substitution moment remaining" to use it (Rule 3.5.2), unless the keeper was replaced under one of the injury exceptions.
• Penalty kicks: if the referee is told in advance, a teammate already on the field may change places with the goalkeeper for the kick. A keeper from the bench is allowed only if the goalkeeper is injured (Rule 3.9.3), so you can't bring on a penalty specialist.
• Medical exceptions: a player showing signs of a concussion, or bleeding, or injured by an opponent who gets a card, can be replaced without it counting as a substitution, and can return once cleared. A player diagnosed with a concussion can't return that day.

Our NCAA soccer substitution rules guide covers re-entry by half and when you can sub.

High school goalkeeper substitution rules (NFHS)

High school soccer allows unlimited substitutions and unlimited re-entry, so a keeper can come off and go back in as often as the coach likes. The change has to happen at a legal substitution stoppage, such as between periods, after a goal, on a goal kick or during an injury.

• Injured keepers (since 2025-26): an injured player must leave the field if a coach or health-care provider is waved on, and the rule includes goalkeepers. Keep a second keeper ready.
• Holding the ball (new for 2026-27): the goalkeeper's possession limit rose from 6 to 8 seconds, and the penalty for going over is now a corner kick.

The high school soccer rules guide has the full table of who can sub at each stoppage.

Can you substitute a goalkeeper during a penalty shootout?

Only in limited cases. IFAB Law 10 covers a goalkeeper who can't continue before or during kicks from the penalty mark:

1. The keeper may be replaced by a player who was left out to equalize the numbers, or by a named substitute if the team hasn't used its maximum number of substitutes.
2. The replaced keeper takes no further part and can't take a kick.
3. If the keeper had already taken a kick, the replacement can't kick until the next round.
4. A keeper who is sent off must be replaced by an eligible player.

A team can also change keepers without a substitution: any player eligible to take kicks may change places with the goalkeeper. So a team that wants a different keeper for the shootout can use an eligible field player.

College tiebreakers are stricter. Once an NCAA team names its goalkeeper for the kicks, that keeper can't be replaced unless injured or ejected (Rule 7.3.3).

Penalties during the game are a separate case. In college soccer, a teammate already on the field may take over in goal for a penalty kick if the referee is told in advance, but a keeper from the bench is allowed only if the goalkeeper is injured. For how shootouts, extra time and overtime work at each level, see stoppage time, extra time and penalties.

Switching a field player and the goalkeeper

Yes, a field player can swap with the goalkeeper during a game, and it doesn't count as a substitution, because nobody leaves the field. Under IFAB Law 3, any player may change places with the goalkeeper if:

• the referee is told before the change, and
• the change is made during a stoppage in play.

If the players swap without telling the referee, play continues and both players are cautioned the next time the ball is out of play. There's no caution if the swap happened at half-time (including half-time of extra time) or in the break before extra time or penalties. Youth leagues follow this rule unless their own rules say otherwise.

US high school and college rules are close to the Laws:

• College (NCAA Rule 3.9.2): a teammate on the field may change positions with the keeper during a stoppage, once the referee is notified and the new keeper is in a goalkeeper jersey.
• High school (NFHS): the swap can be made whenever the clock is stopped or a substitution takes place, and the referee must be notified. A swap without notice gets both players a verbal warning at the next stoppage, not a card.

A few habits make any keeper change smoother:

• Keep a spare keeper jersey or pinnie and gloves on the bench so the swap takes seconds.
• Wave to the referee and wait for a nod before the players switch.
• Tell both players and the defenders who is in goal now.

Youth soccer goalkeeper substitution rules

• 4v4 (U6–U8): no goalkeepers, so there's nothing to change.
• 7v7 and 9v9 (U9–U12): US Soccer's standards allow unlimited substitutions at any stoppage, so you can change keepers whenever play stops. Players who come off can go back on.
• AYSO: substitutions happen about midway through each half, at half-time, at the start of any overtime period and for injuries. Divisions using "monitored substitution" can sub at any stoppage.
• US Youth Soccer national events: 13U–14U have unlimited subs over three moments per half plus halftime, and 15U–19U have four moments per match plus halftime. A keeper change outside halftime uses one of those moments.

In 7v7, remind each new keeper of the build-out line rules: no punts or drop kicks, and opponents must retreat behind the line when the keeper has the ball in their hands. The 7v7 field and build-out line page shows where it goes.

How to rotate goalkeepers in youth soccer

At U9 to U12, keeper time is a chance for development, not a fixed job. A simple plan works for most teams:

• Give each keeper a whole half or quarter. Changing at a break is calmer than mid-period, and the next keeper has time to put on gloves and a jersey.
• Offer every willing player a turn over the season, and keep track so turns stay even.
• Count time in goal as playing time. A half in goal is a half played.
• Warm up the next keeper on the sideline during the period before their turn.
• Watch big rosters. With 12 players in 7v7 and one keeper all game, the keeper plays all 50 minutes while teammates get far less. Switching keepers each half evens it out.

Here's a 7v7 plan for 12 players with a new keeper each half and subs every 5 minutes, built by the same engine as our planner:

Each keeper plays one full half in goal and a few minutes on the field in the other half, and everyone ends up with 25 to 30 minutes. More patterns, including how to explain the plan to parents, are in our youth soccer substitution strategy guide.