Locking Players Into Position
Overview
By default, the substitution rotation can rotate any outfield player on and off throughout the match. Locking a player pins them to the starting XI for the full match — they won't be included in the rotation plan and are guaranteed to play every minute.
How to Lock a Player
- Open the Lineup screen for the fixture
- Find the player in the starting XI (pitch view)
- Tap the 🔒 padlock icon next to their name
The padlock closes and the player is excluded from rotation. The fairness score and projected minutes update to reflect the new plan.
To unlock a player, tap the padlock again — it opens and the player re-enters the rotation.
When to Lock a Player
Locking is useful in specific situations:
| Situation | Why lock? |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Not needed: the player in the goal slot keeps goal all match in the fair-play plan |
| Returning from injury | Guaranteed minutes helps rebuild confidence; manage their load by locking |
| Trialist | The trialist needs to be seen for the full match |
| Player with a specific tactical role | Your playmaker or captain needs to be on for the whole game |
| League rules | Some age groups require specific players to play a minimum number of minutes |
How Locking Affects Fairness
Each locked player receives the full match duration in the projected minutes calculation. This pulls them ahead of rotating players, which reduces the Fairness score.
| Players locked | Effect |
|---|---|
| No locks (default) | No effect |
| 1–2 additional players | Small fairness reduction, usually acceptable |
| Majority of starting XI | Significant fairness drop — very few players to rotate |
A Fairness score of 70% or above (less than an 8-minute spread) is generally acceptable. If locking is dragging the score below 50%, consider whether all locks are necessary.
💡 If you need a player to play at least a full half rather than the full match, consider locking them until half-time, then unlocking after the break and adjusting the second-half plan.
Locks and the Refresh Button
Tapping the 🔄 refresh icon clears all locks and regenerates the auto-suggested lineup from scratch. If you want to keep your locks but reset swaps only, avoid the refresh button — manually undo individual swaps instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to lock the goalkeeper?
No. The player in the goal slot keeps goal for the whole match in the fair-play plan and isn't counted against the fairness score. If your team gives players a turn in goal, switch on Take turns in goal instead (see Taking turns in goal).
Can I lock a bench player?
Yes. Locking keeps a player where they are, so a player locked on the bench stays on the bench all match and isn't counted in the fairness score. (Until September 2026 a locked bench player came on at the first sub window and then stayed on.)
I locked a player but they're still showing in the rotation plan — why?
Check you tapped the padlock icon and it closed (locked state). If the padlock is open, the player is still in the rotation.
Does the lock carry over between sessions?
Locks are saved when you tap Save match plan. If you leave the screen without saving, locks are discarded.