The maximum number of matches a player may play in a season is the number of matches their team plays in that season plus two. This enables them to play all their team’s matches and to play up or down twice. However, when the different divisions have different numbers of teams, this maximum becomes more fluid.
In a 6 team division the maximum number of matches is 12.
In a 7 team division the maximum number of matches is 14.
In an 8 team division the maximum number of matches is 16.
In a 9 team division the maximum number of matches is 18.
If a player plays in more than one division then their maximum becomes the maximum for that division but, and it is a very big but, they cannot exceed the maximum for a smaller division in that division.
Example 1: X plays for a large club and plays in their D team in a division which, because a team drops out, ends up with 6 teams. During the season X plays 10 matches for the D team and 2 matches for the C team. X has played his 12 matches. At the end of the season the B team, in a division with 9 teams are desperate and ask X to play. Because his 13th match is in a 9 team division this is perfectly OK.
Example 2: Y plays for a club with 2 teams, Y is mainly a B team player but is often called upon by the A team. The A team has 9 teams in their division; the B team has 8 teams in theirs. Y plays the first 12 matches for the B team but also plays up 4 times: 16 matches in total. Y may play two more matches for the A team but cannot play the final two matches for the B team.
If you require ruling on a specific case and the above does not help then contact the League Match Secretary before you select your team.