2025-26 NFHS Softball

STEPPING THROUGH THE DP/FLEX

Updated 1/05/2026

Understanding the DP/FLEX rule

• DP/FLEX is often confusing to both coaches and umpires
• This presentation steps through the DP/FLEX rules
• We will start at the beginning and step through the most questioned parts of the rule showing some common uses
• Each step builds on a previous step

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Step 1��Know Your Job

Step 1 Positions and responsibilities

• Normally starting players have two “jobs”
• They play both offense and defense
• DP/FLEX splits these “jobs” into two positions
• DP in an offensive specialist (3-2-6a)
• FLEX is a defensive specialist (3-2-6b,e&f)
• Positions have to be declared and occupied at the start of the game (3-1-1)
• This is why if you are going to utilize the DP/FLEX it has to be a part of the starting lineup

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Step 2��Keep Doing Your Job

Step 2 Keep doing your job

• DP is an offensive specialist (3-2-6a)
• They keep doing their “job” by playing offense
• As long as the DP continues to play offense in their spot in the lineup they have not left the game (3-2-6d)
• FLEX is a defensive specialist (3-2-6b,e&f)
• They keep doing their “job” by playing defense
• As long as the FLEX player continues to play defense (any of the 9 defensive positions) when their team is on defense they have not left the game (3-2-6f)

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Step 3��FLEX Can Do the DP’s Job

Step 3 FLEX does DP’s job

• DP actually bats for the FLEX (3-2-6b)
• They split one players “jobs” into two positions
• This ties DP and FLEX together on offense
• If the FLEX plays offense (bats or runs) they must do so in the DP’s position in the lineup (3-2-6d&g)
• If this happens the DP has left the game (9 active players)
• Position is still available for starting DP to reenter or legal sub to enter
• If the FLEX bats in any other position in the lineup it is an illegal substitute (3-2-6g)

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Why would FLEX do DP’s job

• FLEX plays 1^st base, is a great hitter but very slow runner
• DP is a very fast runner but not a good hitter
• FLEX bats and gets on base then DP reenters to run for them
• FLEX goes back to playing defense only and has never left the game

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FLEX Does DP’s job

• FLEX is doing both jobs
• DP has left the game
• Arrow up to show who is batting in the 7^th position
• DP (Cooper) leaves the game (has no job) but has one reentry

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FLEX Does DP’s job

• DP reenters to run
• Cooper uses their one reentry
• FLEX (Green) returns to playing defense only
• Arrow down to show FLEX is back to playing defense only
• They never quit doing their job (playing defense) so they have never left the game

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Step 4��DP Can Do the FLEX’s Job

Step 4 DP does FLEX’s job

• FLEX’s job is to play defense
• If they no longer play defense they have left the game
• If the DP plays defense instead of the FLEX, FLEX has left the game (9 active players) (3-2-6e)
• Position is still available for starting FLEX to reenter or legal sub to enter
• If a legal substitute enters the FLEX position (3-2-6f)
• Starting FLEX (player) has left the game has one reentry
• FLEX position remains or becomes active again (10 players)

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Why would DP Do Flex’s job

• Coaches will start with DP/FLEX
• DP is batting 7^th and FLEX is listed as F1
• Once lineup is official they tell umpire at the plate meeting “my DP is playing defense for the FLEX and will be my pitcher”
• Why do this?
• DP is their starting pitcher and a good hitter, FLEX is 2^nd best pitcher but not a good hitter
• If DP begins to struggle pitching later in the game coach can reenter the FLEX to pitch but keep their DP (the better hitter) batting the entire game

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DP Does FLEX’s job

• DP is doing both jobs
• Identify as F1 for courtesy runner eligibility
• FLEX (Green) leaves the game (has no job) but has one reentry

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Step 5��Positions Live Forever

Step 5 Positions Live Forever

• Step 1 mentioned a team has to start with DP/FLEX positions if they want to use them anytime during a game
• Once you start with DP/FLEX those positions are available for the entire game
• These positions can be active (10 players) or inactive (9 players)
• An eligible sub can enter into these positions at any time
• Players lose eligibility but positions live forever
• Players have one reentry, once a player leaves the game for a second time they are done for the game
• But their position can be filled by any eligible sub for the entire game

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Continue with FLEX doing �DP’s job

• Later in game FLEX bats again in the 7^th position
• DP leaves the game again
• Cooper has left the game a second time and has no more eligibility for the game (done for the game)
• FLEX bats again
• Show arrow up to know who is batting in 7^th position

Continue with FLEX doing �DP’s job

• FLEX gets on base
• Cooper cannot reenter
• Any of the 4 substitutes are eligible to enter in the DP position
• Coach says “Blue I want #10 to run for the FLEX”
• VERY important that umpire gets clarity
1. Is #10 entering in the DP position and the FLEX is returning to playing defense only (Green is not leaving the game) OR
2. Is #10 entering in the FLEX position playing offense and defense (Green leaves the game)

Continue with FLEX doing �DP’s job

• Coach wants option 1 with #10 entering the DP position and the FLEX player going back to playing defense only
• Show #10 Howell entering in the 7^th position in the lineup and arrow down to show FLEX going back to playing defense only

10

Howell

Step 6��DP Does Another Player’s Defensive Job

Step 6 Defensive job

• Step 1 mentioned that most players have two “jobs”- playing offense and defense
• Step 4 discussed the DP doing the FLEX’s job and the FLEX leaving the game
• Instead of playing defense for the FLEX the DP could play defense for one of the other 8 batters in the lineup
• In this case the other player still bats in their spot in the lineup and has not left the game(3-2-6e)
• That player still has a “job” as they are still playing offense so they have not left the game
• This allows the FLEX and DP to both play defense at the same time

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Why would DP do someone else's defensive job

• Two most common uses
• A player is having a bad day and coach wants to talk with them to help regain their focus
• A player gets a slight injury and needs treatment that is not able to be done in time to play defense but they do not want to remove them from the game
• Ankle needs taped
• Abrasion from slide needs bandaged
• By definition this is not a substitute and does not have to be reported as no player is leaving the game
• It is good preventative umpiring to ask coaches to report when DP plays defense as it helps eliminate confusion if asked by the other team

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DP Does Able’s Defensive job

• DP is doing two jobs
• Batting in the 7^th positon in the lineup and playing F4 on defense
• Mark as F4 if desired to ensure there is not a question about unreported entry
• Able will continue to bat 2^nd and has not left the game
• They still have a job on offense so they have not left the game

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Summary��Do You Still Have A Job?

Do you have a job?

• If you do not have a job to do you have left the game
• DP’s job is to play offense
• If they continue to play offense they have not left the game
• FLEX’s job is to play defense
• If they continue to play defense they have not left the game
• FLEX can play offense but only in the DP’s position
• When this happens the DP lost their job so they have left the game
• DP can also play defense
• If they play defense for the FLEX the FLEX has left the game (they have no job)
• If they play defense for one of the other 8 batters in the lineup that player still has an offensive job to do and has not left the game
• Positions (jobs) are available for the entire game (jobs can be filled by others)

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Easy reminders

• The DP can never be on defense only:
• If they don’t play offense (Their job is to play offense) they have left the game

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• The FLEX can never be on offense only:
• If they don’t play defense (Their job is to play defense) they have left the game

Easy reminders

• The DP and the FLEX can never be on offense at the same time:
• They are tied together and only one player can play offense in their (DP’s) position in the lineup

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• The DP and the FLEX can play defense at the same time;
• FLEX can keep using their mitt and the DP can use someone else's

DP/FLEX RULE

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SAMPLE EXERCISES

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SAMPLE LINEUP CARD�

All samples will use this lineup card and progress through a series of substitutions

Sample exercise #1

• Jones (DP) bats and gets on base safely

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• The offensive coach asks for time to make a change

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• “Green will run for Jones"

SAMPLE EXERCISE #1�

Green (FLEX) running for Jones (DP)

Sample exercise #1

Note –

Jones has left the game (no longer playing offense), they still have one reentry. Green is now playing offense and defense.

Sample exercise #2

• Two innings later, Green singles to left

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• The offensive coach asks for time to make a change

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• "Smith is running for Green and Green will still be playing right field”

Sample exercise #2

Note –

• This substitution is critical for the umpire to ensure they understand what the coach is requesting
• Coach says “Smith is running for Green” at this point there are two options:
• Smith is substituting for Green and is the new FLEX playing offense in the DP’s position in the lineup. Change is made and recorded in the 10^th position
• Smith is substituting for Jones and is the new DP, Green is going back to playing defense only. Change is made and recorded in the 4^th position.
• By actively listening and understanding the second part of the coach's statement “Green will still be playing right field” we know the coach wants option 2.

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�SAMPLE EXERCISE #2�

Smith (sub) running for Green (FLEX) is recorded as a sub for Jones and becomes the new DP

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Green remains in the game playing right field only

Smith

6

DP

Sample exercise #2

Note –

• Since Green will continue to play defense, Smith enters the game for the first time as the new DP

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• Since Green (FLEX) is still playing defense they have NOT left the game (never quit doing their job using their mitt)

Sample exercise #3

• In the 4^th inning, the offensive coach asks for time to make another change

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• “Jones to reenter and bat for Smith”

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�SAMPLE EXERCISE #3�

Jones (starting DP) reenters for Smith

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Smith

6

DP

Sample exercise #3

Note –

• Jones has used their reentry
• Smith has left the game and has a reentry remaining
• This is no different than a substitution / reentry anywhere else in the lineup

Sample exercise #4

• In the next half inning, the defensive coach asks for time to make another change

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• “Jones will play defense in center field for Thomas”

�SAMPLE EXERCISE #4�

Jones (DP) to play defense in center field for Thomas

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Smith

6

DP

8

Sample exercise #4

Note –

• Jones the DP is now playing offense (still doing their offensive job using their bat) and defense (using Thomas’ mitt)

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• Thomas still bats in the 3^rd position in the lineup is playing offense only (still has an offensive job using their bat) and has NOT left the game

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Sample exercise #5

• In the next inning, the defensive coach asks for time to make another change

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• “Thomas is going back to playing center field, Jones will play defense in right field for Green”

�SAMPLE EXERCISE #5�

Smith

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DP

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Thomas goes back to center field

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Jones (DP) to play defense in right field for Green (FLEX)

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Sample exercise #5

Note –

• Jones (DP) is still playing offense and defense (now doing the defensive job using the FLEX’s mitt)

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• Green (FLEX) has left the game (still has a reentry) since they are not playing defense (no longer doing their job using their mitt)

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