Replacement Match: Substitute Players to Satisfy Team Constraints

Question

## Problem

A sports team has `n` players, each with a `position` and a `skill_level` (int). The starting lineup requires exactly one player per position. One player is injured and must be replaced by a substitute from the bench.

Given the injured player's position and the list of bench players, return the name of the best substitute — highest skill level among bench players who play the same position. If multiple players tie, return the one who appears first in the bench list. Return an empty string if no valid substitute exists.

```python
def find_replacement(injured_pos: str, bench: list[dict]) -> str:
    # bench: [{"name": str, "position": str, "skill_level": int}]
    pass
```

**Example:**
```
Input:
  injured_pos = "midfielder"
  bench = [
    {"name": "Alice", "position": "midfielder", "skill_level": 82},
    {"name": "Bob",   "position": "forward",    "skill_level": 90},
    {"name": "Carol", "position": "midfielder", "skill_level": 85}
  ]

Output: "Carol"
```

## Follow-ups

1. What if a player can play multiple positions — how does your data model change?
2. Extend this to replace multiple injured players simultaneously without reusing any bench player.
3. How would you rank substitutes if skill level is equal but some have played this match already?
4. Design a bench management system that tracks availability across an entire season.

Replacement Match: Substitute Players to Satisfy Team Constraints

Question Details

Full Details

Topics

More from DoorDash