--- title: "Guide: Half-Time Directions & Substitutions" description: "Guide: Half-Time Directions & Substitutions" url: https://support.goalunited.org/en/articles/178-guide-half-time-directions-and-substitutions collection: "Starter Guides" updated: 2026-10-22 language: en alternates: [fr, de, it, pl, es, tr] --- # Guide: Half-Time Directions & Substitutions Guide: Half-Time Directions & Substitutions goalunited gives you multiple ways to influence a match once it has started. All [half-time changes](https://support.goalunited.org/articles/161) are made in the Halftime Instructions tab of the Live Ticker during the first half, and take effect at the start of the second half. > **Warning:** Half-time changes cannot be made for extra time after 90 minutes. ## **Substitutions** You can make up to 5 substitutions per match:

Substitution Type	Cost
First 2 substitutions	Free
3rd, 4th, 5th substitution	GU STARS each
Injury substitution (automatic)	Free — does not count toward your 2 free subs

To substitute a player, click the player you want to remove from the pitch, then click the bench player you want to bring on. - If the player you planned to sub off receives a red card in the first half, that substitution is cancelled. - You can only bring on players from the bench; no fresh additions mid-match. - If no suitable bench player is available for a position, the substitution cannot happen. - If the bench empties and a player on the pitch gets injured, the team continues with ten men. > **Warning:** After substitutions, recheck the personality count. The 10% bonus for 8 different personalities only applies in the second half if you still have 8 on the pitch. ## **Player Movement** You can also move existing players to different positions on the pitch for the second half, without substituting them. This is useful for shifting formation shape (e.g., pushing an extra attacker forward when chasing a goal). - 2 free movements per match. - Additional movements cost GU STARS. > **Info:** Player movements are a powerful way to change your shape without burning a substitution. Use them before reaching for paid options. ## **Free Half-Time Changes (No Stars Required)** - Change tactic - completely free. - Switch marking (man / zonal) - free. - Enable or disable offside trap - free. - Reassign special jobs (captain, free kicks) - free. Always reassign if the original holder is being substituted. ## **Half-Time Action Cards** Action cards placed in the live ticker within the first 50 minutes from the start of the match activate at the start of the second half. You can also pre-load one when setting your initial formation.

Card	Effect
Encourage (Common)	Increases team effort by 25% (max 150%).
Encourage (Uncommon)	Increases team effort by 50% (max 150%).
Take It Slow	Reduces energy consumption by 50% in the second half.
Full Attack	More chances created; higher counterattack risk.
Full Defence	Reduces opponent chances, but also your own.
Play for Free Kicks	More free kicks won; higher yellow card risk.
Get Penalties	Team tries to win penalties; very high risk of a yellow card.
Midfield Control	Team focuses heavily on the midfield sector.

> **Info:** Encourage cards are capped at 150% effort total. If you already set 125% effort, an Encourage (Uncommon) card maxes out at 150%, not 175%. ## **Reading the Changes Log** After submitting half-time changes, click the Checkout button in the Halftime Instructions tab to review the changes log. It shows: - Every change made (subs, movements, tactics, marking, role reassignments). - Whether each change succeeded or failed (e.g. failed because of a red card). - The GU STARS cost for paid changes. Changes can also be cancelled from this window, up until the deadline (before the start of the second half). > **Info:** Stars spent on half-time changes that fail to apply (e.g. due to a red card invalidating a substitution) are automatically refunded. [Starter Guides](https://support.goalunited.org/collections/31)