FREE TOOL · 9-A-SIDE

9-a-side substitution planner

To calculate equal playing time in 9-a-side football, multiply 9 players on the pitch by total match minutes and divide by squad size: 9 players × 60 min ÷ 13 squad = 41.5 min each. Over 50 minutes with 12 players: 9 × 50 ÷ 12 = 37.5 min each. Generate your rotation schedule below.

Updated 16 October 2026

Match

Format

Played in

Each half

min

Squad size

players

Goalkeeper

In goal, 1st half

In goal, 2nd half

Sub times

Squad

Players marked Starts begin the game and the rest come on in list order. Use Shuffle to change who starts.

1GK
2GK
3Starts
4Starts
5Starts
6Starts
7Starts
8Starts
9Starts
10Starts
11Bench
12Bench
13Bench

41–42minutes each

Every player gets 41–42 minutes.

12 sub stops, 12 changes
Fair share: 41.5 of 60 min
Bench: 4 at a time

Rotation chart

Player 1

Player 2

Player 3

Player 4

Player 5

Player 6

Player 7

Player 8

Player 9

Player 10

Player 11

Player 12

Player 13

On the pitch In goal Break

Substitution schedule

1st half 0'–30'In goal: Player 1

Player 1Player 3Player 4Player 5Player 6Player 7Player 8Player 9Player 10

Player 11 Player 5

10'

Player 12 Player 7

12'

Player 2 Player 4

14'

Player 13 Player 9

24'

Player 5 Player 2

28'

Player 7 Player 6

2nd half 30'–60'In goal: Player 2

Player 2 Player 1
Player 4 Player 3

33'

Player 9 Player 8

37'

Player 1 Player 10

47'

Player 6 Player 11

49'

Player 3 Player 1

51'

Player 8 Player 12

56'

Player 10 Player 13

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9-a-side minutes per player

The fair share for common 9-a-side squads and match lengths, keepers included. A squad of 12 to 14 gives each player most of the game while leaving cover for absences.

9-a-side: equal minutes per player
Squad	2 × 25 min	2 × 30 min	2 × 35 min
10 players	45	54	63
11 players	40.9	49.1	57.3
12 players	37.5	45	52.5
13 players	34.6	41.5	48.5
14 players	32.1	38.6	45
15 players	30	36	42
16 players	28.1	33.8	39.4

Example: 13 players, keeper swapped at half time

Player 1 keeps goal in the first half and Player 2 in the second. Both play outfield in the other half, so they end up with the same minutes as everyone else.

9-a-side, 2 × 30 minutes, 13 players
Time	Change
Kick-off	Player 1, Player 3, Player 4, Player 5, Player 6, Player 7, Player 8, Player 9, Player 10 start (Player 1 in goal)
5'	Player 11 on for Player 5
10'	Player 12 on for Player 7
12'	Player 2 on for Player 4
14'	Player 13 on for Player 9
24'	Player 5 on for Player 2
28'	Player 7 on for Player 6
Half time	Player 2 on for Player 1; Player 4 on for Player 3. Player 2 goes in goal.
33'	Player 9 on for Player 8
37'	Player 1 on for Player 10
47'	Player 6 on for Player 11
49'	Player 3 on for Player 1
51'	Player 8 on for Player 12
56'	Player 10 on for Player 13
Total	Everyone 41 or 42 minutes each.

What you get

Rotation chart for 13 players in a 9-a-side match of 2 × 30 minutes, with each player on for 41 or 42 minutes, made with the free 9-a-side substitution planner — 13 players over 2 × 30 minutes: every player gets 41 or 42 minutes, keepers included.

How to plan 9-a-side subs

Check the match. The planner opens on 9-a-side in two 30-minute halves. Change the length, or pick quarters, to match your competition.
Set your squad. Enter how many players are available and who is in goal each half.
Name the players. Type the names. Players marked Starts begin the game and the rest come on in order.
Take it to the game. Print the sheet and tick off each change, or copy the plan to the team WhatsApp.

Questions

How many minutes does each player get in 9-a-side?

Multiply 9 by the match length and divide by your squad. Over two 30-minute halves (60 minutes): 12 players get 45 minutes each, 13 players get 41.5, and 14 players get 38.6.

How do I rotate 13 players in 9-a-side?

With the same keeper all game, the 12 outfield players share 8 positions, so each plays 40 of 60 minutes. Swap four players at 10 minutes, four at half time and four at 50 minutes, and everyone gets exactly 40. If the keeper changes at half time, everyone gets 41 or 42 minutes, mostly with one change at a time.

How many subs can a 9-a-side team have?

It depends on your competition. Most junior 9-a-side football uses rolling substitutions with a squad of around 11 to 14, but check your association’s rules for squad limits and when changes can be made.

Should 9-a-side be played in halves or quarters?

Both are common in junior football. Quarters give natural breaks to make changes and talk to players; halves mean fewer stoppages. Choose Quarters under Played in to plan for four periods.

Can the keeper swap at half time?

Yes, that is the default here. Choose who is in goal for each half, and the calculator gives both keepers the same total minutes as everyone else by playing them outfield in the other half.

Read the guide

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