Game Scheduling Orientation

Timeline

● December 8 team registration closes● December 8-13 conferences set● December 14 game scheduling begins● Final schedules input into NCJLA site

● Boys by Jan. 22

● Girls by Jan. 26

Timeline

● Why wait until December 14 to begin?● Need to schedule conference games first, conferences might

change up through Dec. 13.● Providing neutral format, so every club arrives on the 14th with

the same advantage to build good schedules.

Meeting LocationsWEST Meeting location: Town School - Cafeteria2750 Jackson StreetSan Francisco

EAST Meeting location:Head-Royce School - Cafeteria4315 Lincoln AvenueOakland

Conference game scheduling only for the first 1.5 hours.

Out-of-conference scheduling cannot start before 11:30am or 3pm.

Boys (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)In conference                10:00 AM - 11:30 AMOut of Conference        11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Girls (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)In conference                1:30 PM - 3:00 PMOut of Conference        3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

West Meeting ClubsCentral MarinCoyotes Lacrosse ClubFirehawksFremont LacrosseMendocinoMenlo AthertonMonterey TribeNapaNovatoPetalumaRancho CotatiRoss Valley

San Francisco RiptideSan Jose Extreme GirlsSan Jose VipersSanta CruzSanta RosaSouth Valley ChiefsSouthern MarinStuart HallTomahawksTown SchoolWest Valley Red HawksWildcats

East Meeting ClubsAlameda AttackBerkeley Lacrosse ClubChico RebelsDavis Lacrosse AssociationDiablo ScorpionEl Dorado HillsElk GroveFair Oaks LacrosseFolsomGold CountryGranite BayHead-Royce School

LamorindaLivermoreOaklandPleasant GrovePleasantonPleasanton Pride GirlsRed Bluff Youth LacrosseRedding LacrosseSacramentoSan Ramon RaptorsSierra FoothillsSkyline Lacrosse ClubStocktonWalnut CreekWoodcreekYuba City

What to Expect

• Large lively social gathering

• Move around a lot and talk to many people

• Have a great time

• Schedulers collaboratively working to accomplish the same goals

• Complete your conference schedule, at best.

• Good result would be ~60-70% of teams’ schedules complete.

Meeting Format

● Arrive 15 minutes early to check in and get settled.● Conferences will be listed on the wall.● WiFi is available at both locations.● First hour and a half is reserved for conference

scheduling only.● Schedulers for both girls & boys programs must only

work on their schedules during the designated times.● Boys game schedulers should vacate the room by 1PM

at the latest, to allow girls game schedulers to arrive.

Things to bring - Summary

1. NCJLA Game Scheduling Appendix & Info Sheets

2. Home field availability dates & times

3. “Blackout” dates by team

4. Conference opponents for each team in your club

5. Non-conference teams in your division

6. List of clubs that you should travel to this season.*

7. Scheduling goals for your organization8. Wear clothing sporting team logos to make yourself visible9. Any materials you need specific to your scheduling needs.

Things to Bring - NCJLA Scheduling Appendix

Contains the following information:

• Opening weekend per division

• League blackout dates

• Last weekend regular season play per division

• Playoff dates per division

• Scheduling requirements per division, # games etc…

Game Scheduling Appendix

Download from NCJLA website, review in advance of the meeting, and bring with you.

Game Scheduling Info Sheets

• Summarizes this presentation in short handout form.

• Available on NCJLA website. • Provides detailed instructions and important

web links.• Includes minimum & maximum time blocks

for games.

Time Blocks for Game Scheduling

Boys

HS – 1 hr 40 min

U15 – 1 hr 30 min

U13 – 1 hr 30 min

U11 – 1 hr 15 min

U9 – 1 hr

Girls

HS – 1 hr 30 min

U15 – 1 hr 15min

U13 – 1 hr 15min

U11 – 1 hr

U9 – 1 hr

Officials ConsiderationsBoys and Girls Officials Considerations:

• Games must be stacked back to back, without any additional time in between games.

• Keep boys blocks separate from girls blocks, not intermingled.

• Schedule in blocks of youth vs. high school, best to schedule in blocks of teams close in age level.

• For example, schedule BU11A, then BU13B, then your GU15A round robin.

• Don’t schedule U9 games (no officials) in between older teams’ games.

Girls Umpire Considerations:

• Girls games must be scheduled in a blocked fashion, not necessarily round robins BUT multiple games at each site.

Things to Bring - Home field info• Dates and times fields are available

• Designate time blocks for girls and boys programs (e.g., Boys from 8AM-12PM, Girls from 12:30PM-5PM)

• Consider the weather and the type of field you have when locking in host dates.

• Do not schedule a game if you do not have a field reserved!

Things to Bring - Team Blackout Date

• Spring Break (try to not blackout both weekends of spring break, just one)

• School trips/Events (Plays/musicals, grade specific field trips, proms/dances, etc…)

• Group events

• Coaches’ availability

• Discuss in advance with coaches and team managers!

Things to Bring - Scheduling GoalsQuestions to consider:

• Do U9 Boys only want to play Saturdays?

• Does your girls U13A team want to save tough matchups before or after Spring Break?

• Do you owe any other clubs a travel trip?

• How many games do your coaches want for their teams?

• What is the furthest this team is willing to travel?

Prepare a Plan that works for you

• Some schedulers use Excel worksheets

• Some schedulers print calendars

• Some use a separate sheet of paper for each home game

• Some use a separate sheet for each team, with available dates as blanks to be filled in.

As simple as calendar pages

With blackout dates entered.

Or more complex spreadsheets

This example is a google doc that multiple schedulers can access.

You must have a plan!

• There is no one “right” way to do this.

• All of the previous plans are great.

• Use a system most familiar to you as a scheduler.

• Talk with a experienced schedulers for ideas and tips.