How to handle team substitutions and absences

It's a fact of life: players will get sick, have work conflicts, or go on vacation. Without a clear substitution policy, one player's absence can lead to a frustrating forfeit for three other people. Here’s how to manage it effectively.

The key to avoiding conflict is to be proactive. Publish your sub rules on your league website or registration page so everyone is aware from day one. Your policy should answer these key questions:

• Who can be a substitute? (e.g., must be of a similar skill level, cannot be rostered on another team in the same division).
• How does a team find a sub? (e.g., from an approved sub list you maintain, or can they find their own?).
• What is the skill rating cap? A common rule is that the substitute's DUPR rating cannot be higher than the player they are replacing.
• Is there a limit on sub usage? (e.g., a player can only be subbed for a maximum of 2 times during the regular season).
• Are subs allowed in the playoffs? (Most competitive leagues do not allow substitutes during playoffs).

The best practice is to create an official "sub list." You can gather names during the main registration with a simple checkbox: "I'm interested in being on the sub list." This provides a pool of vetted players for teams to contact, ensuring that substitutes are of an appropriate skill level and have agreed to the league rules.