Substitution Rules

CGVA SUBSTITUTION RULES

[As of January 2025]

Note: These rules are regarding substitute players who are not on a team's roster. CGVA uses NAGVA's substitution rules for in-game player substitutions / liberos.

In general, Division Representatives (DRs) are required to approve all non-CGVA-rated sub requests during League Play as well as all subs during the End of Season Tournament.

FOR ALL GAMES

If a team is caught playing with unapproved subs, the games will be forfeited, even if they have already been played.

DURING LEAGUE PLAY

There is no limit on number of subs a team may use during regular league play games. However, teams must play with a minimum of three "registered core team players." If a team only has two registered core team players, they will need to forfeit their games. Teams are strongly encouraged to find enough subs to filed a full team, even if the game will be officially forfeited, to ensure the opposing team(s) are still able to play scheduled games.

CGVA-rated subs are required to be rated at or below the level of the division they are subbing into. For example, a 3-rated player can substitute in Yellow, Orange, or Red, but not Green.

Non-CGVA-rated subs must have approval from the Division Representative.

DURING END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT

Each team may have up to two subs playing. Please recall that teams must play with a minimum of three "registered core team players." If a team only has three core team players available during the End of Season tournament, that means the team can pick up two subs, for a total of five players. This would implicate the "ghost player" rule.

All tournament subs require approval from the Division Representative. Sub requests must be emailed or texted to the DR for approval prior to the start of play. Please submit sub requests and challenges to the DR as early as possible to provide ample time for review/approval!

All tournament subs are required to have an official CGVA rating. Non-rated or provisional-rated players will NOT be allowed to sub.

Players from teams who are still in the tournament should not sub for other teams in the same tournament; however, if a player's team has been eliminated from the tournament, they are eligible to be a sub.

DISPUTE OF A SUB

If approved by the DR, an email or text will be sent to the opposing team captain for review of the submitted sub.
The opposing team's captain will have until the start of game play to challenge the sub proposal.
Any challenge to a sub proposal will be the final discretion of the DR based on the specifics of the reason, timeliness, and best possible fair game play.