So, Soccer substitutions......

[Logical]

It is true that the world cup teams only get 3 subs for the whole game?

And once you leave you cannot go back in? Wow, that is amazing if true.

Does all pro soccer work like that?

[Ron Obvious]

1. Yes and yes.

It was only two not so long ago and the idea of tactical substitutions (as opposed to replacing injured players) is relatively recent as well.

I don't know any fan of the sport who'd want unlimited substitutions. I certainly don't.

[Logical]

4. Pretty amazing deal. UNlike American Football which subs all the time. n-t

[Codeine]

2. Why on Earth would you be allowed back in?

No snark; I'm genuinely mystified. Do other sports allow that?

[Logical]

3. Really. You don't know any other sport rules? n-t

[Codeine]

5. I honestly don't watch other sports.

Grew up a total geek totally avoiding athletics until I discovered tennis in high school. In the early 90s I started watching soccer and became a huge fan. I once watched a baseball (Red Sox) game in Tempe on a lark with a friend who is an obsessive Sox fan.

I've never watched any American football, hockey, rugby, cricket, basketball, or what have you. I don't know how subs work in those sports. Like I said -- no snark.

[Logical]

6. American football allows unlimited subs. So soccer surprised me. Nt

[oldironside]

8. Back in the 60s...

... soccer was still eleven vs eleven with no subs allowed. If a player got injured, tough. FA Cup finals were regularly marred by the Wembley Hoodoo - serious injuries that meant players either had to leave the field or hobble on to the end.

In 1953 Stanley Matthews built his legend against a less than half fit fullback, and when England played Scotland in 1967 Jack Charlton broke his toe early on and had to play the rest of the game as an emergency striker whileGeoff Hurst filled in in defence.

As one columnist opposed to substitutes at the time put it: "I want to see fight, not fakes!".

[SwankyXomb]

7. For the most part

In friendly matches, like if Manchester City or Valencia played against an MLS team, you can have 6 subs, but still no returning once you're out.