Number of Players - FIFA Law 3

Some of FIFA's 17 laws may be obscure, since they govern aspects of the game that fans take for granted. Law 3 - the number of players - is one such law. However, it is very important in determining critical aspects of play and allows match officials to take appropriate action in special or uncommon circumstances.

== Number of teams and players ==

The first aspect of law three states the obvious-that a football match takes place between two teams. Each team must have a maximum of 11 players, but not less than 7 players. Law 3 dictates that a match cannot commence with less than seven players on the field on play. In high-level or professional soccer matches, the number of players is rarely an issue. However, in some amateur games played under the auspices of a member confederation, some teams have fewer than 11 players available to at the start of play. Under Law 3, the referee is aware that the fixture can begin, even if one team has seven players to the opponents' eleven.

== Substitutes ==

In official competitions, a maximum of three substitutions are allowed. However, the rules governing a particular competition can stipulate more substitutions, up to a maximum of seven. For national A team matches (international friendly games) a team can make up to six substitutions. In all other games, teams can use a larger number of substitutes once two conditions are satisfied:

i) There is an agreement between both teams concerning the maximum number of substitutions
ii) The referee is informed prior to the start of the match

Provision ii) is very important, because if the referee is not informed before the match, the referee would allow a maximum of six substitutions.

== Substitution procedure ==

Law 3 indicates the correct procedure for the substitution as well. First, the referee must be informed of a proposed substitution. Usually, the fourth official or assistant referee is responsible for informing the referee. The referee must give a signal to the substitute before he enters the field of play and the substitute can only enter the field of play once the substituted teammate has completely left the field of play.

The substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and once there is a stoppage in the game. The substituted player ceases to take part in the match, even though he can return to his team's technical area. A team cannot use the substituted player as a subsequent substitute. Law 3 also indicates that substitutes and substituted players are under the authority and jurisdiction of the referee.

== Goalkeeper change ==

Sometimes, in a football match, a player might have to change places with the goalkeeper through injury, expulsion or team tactics. FIFA's law indicates that any player can change places with the goalkeeper, once the referee is informed before the change is made and the change occurs only during a stoppage in the game.