Tournament Tips

Tournament Tips 
Schedule:
From your tournament game schedule, assign each game a name and/or a game number.  If the games are being played on more than one rink, it works well to have a Master Rink Schedule ...showing which games being played at each rink.
Computers and Printers:
If more than one rink is being used, you will need a computer and a printer at each rink. 
Gather Rosters:
Obtain all team tournament rosters prior to the tournament.  Include each player's number and primary position.  Sometimes, teams are late with rosters, so plan to get them several days before the tournament.  Sometimes, team rosters can be obtained from team web sites.
Master RinkWriter® Folder/Computer:

Create a new "RinkWriter" tournament folder on your computer desktop.  Rename the "RinkWriter" folder to represent the name of your tournament.  The folder needs to contain the RinkWriter® software.

If your tournament is being played at more than one rink and you are using more than one computer, enter the names of the teams and player rosters into the master "RinkWriter" folder on your master computer.

The master folder... along with all of its contents will eventually be copied and pasted into the other computers that you are be used at your tournament.

Rosters:
Obtain all tournament rosters prior to the tournament.  The player's name, number, and primary position should be included.   If a player's position is unknown, designate the player as a "Forward" (because there are usually more forwards than defensemen).  Every team must designate at least one player as a "Goaltender".
Coaches:
It is helpful to to obtain the names of all of the coaches prior to the tournament.  Enter the names of all of the coaches into your master computer.
Officials:
It is helpful to to obtain the names of all of the officials prior to the tournament.  Enter the names of all of the officials into your master folder.  If their names are unavailable, they can be entered at rink-side prior to or during each game.
PDF Files & Names:
If you plan to send scoresheets as e-mail attachments or uploaded them to the Internet, each scoresheet must be printed as a PDF file and each scoresheet will need a unique PDF file name.
Web Page:
If you choose to upload your tournament results to the Internet, it is helpful to have a web page showing both your schedule and results.  Your web page may be set up in various formats.  These web pages are intended as samples:  2011 Granite City Classic, 2012PeeWee A CIC, 2012 Bantam A CIC, 2011Boys MN Selects, 2011Girls MN Selects, 2012 ND West Regional,  2012 ND State H.S. Tourney, 2008 MN Bantam A West Regional, 2008 Bantam B W. Regional, 2008 MN Pee Wee A State. 2011 Pee Wee A West Regional, 2011 Pee Wee B West Regional 2011 MN Girls U12 Nat. Regional , 2012 Bantam A West Regional, 2012 Bantam B West Regional.
Set up a web page with your web master.  If your arena has an Internet connection, upload your scoresheets to the Internet from rink-side.  

Have your a web master update your web page throughout the tournament.  Contact RinkWriter® if you would like assistance with a tournament web page. 

Create a Rink Schedule:  
Create a "Schedule" for each rink.   It should display the Game Number, Date, Time, Home Team, Visiting Team, PDF Name, and name of Scorekeeper.   Sample Schedule.   
Setting up Multiple Computers
Master Computer
  • Prior to the tournament, entered the team names, rosters, coaches, officials, game announcements...and other game setup information into the "Master Folder" on your master computer
  • Copy the master folder to a flash drive and paste it to the desktop of the other computers you are using.  
  • The computer for each rink will then have its own tournament master folder. 
Individual Rink Computers
From inside the master folder on each rink's computer, run the software to fill in other specifics...like name of rink, name of scorekeeper, PA announcements, etc. 

After each rink's master folder is ready for its rink:

  • Make multiple copies of the folder for the desktop...  
  • Make enough copies so you will have one copy for each game being played at that rink.  
  • Rename the folders on your desktop.  There should be one folder for each game being played at the specific rink:
    • "Game 1"
    • "Game 5"
    • "Game 8"
    • "Game 15"
    • "Game 22"
    • "Game 37"
    • etc.  
  • Games can be set up ahead of time
  • Every game will have it's own folder and data base.  

This procedure will allow you to go back to any game at any time to make changes or corrections.

Pre-tournament Game Setups:
  • Prior to every game on each day (as soon as you know the 2 participating teams).
    • Run the software inside of the folder named "Game 1" to set up Game 1, 
    • Run the software inside of the folder named "Game 2" to set up Game 2, 
    • Run the software inside of the folder named "Game 3" to set up Game 3, 
    • etc.
    • etc.
  • Each game should include the visiting team, home team, coaches, scorekeeper, etc.
Pre-Tournament Printouts:
Before each game print the Worksheet (Tally Sheet) and the Pre-Game Rosters.
  • These printouts should be given to the scorekeeper/announcer prior to each game.  
  • For durability and identification, you may print these on colored cardstock paper.
  • Label each printout with the correct PDF name/Game Number, Rink, Day, and Time (Blanks are provided on the printouts). 
  • Prior to each game someone (tournament coordinator or other?) should take the "Pregame Roster" printout to each team.  They should mark the starting lineups, alternates, scratches, or roster changes.  
  • This printout is also a good tool for noting the correct pronunciation of each player's name.  
  • The scorekeeper will use this information for entering the Starting Lineups, Coaches, Officials, etc.  
  • This printout matches the rosters as they are already saved in all the computer. 

 
Rink Coordinator:
  • It is helpful to have a person at each rink available to assist any new scorekeepers if needed.
  • This person may also help with getting the starting lineups and with distributing the scoresheets to the teams after each game.
Scorekeeper Training:
  • RinkWriter® is intuitive and easy to learn, but sometimes, unexpected things can happen very quickly under game conditions.  
  • It is helpful if your scorekeepers are familiar with RinkWriter®.  
  • It is advisable for your scorekeepers to view the audio visual Instructions provided on YouTube.
  • They may also visit the Instructions Manual provided on this web site.
Printing the Game Scoresheet
  • At the conclusion of each period, the scorekeeper should enter the "Shots on Goal", "Saves", "Quality Scoring Chances" and "Face-Offs Won".
  • Quality Chances and Face-offs Won are optional.
  • When entering Quality chances at the end of each period...all defaults are setup for the next period.
  • At the end of the game, the scorekeeper should print the Scoresheet.
  • Paper copies should be delivered to each team.
  • If you are uploading the scoresheets to web site
    • Print a PDF file
    • Upload the scoresheet (according to the method specific to your tournament)
    • Contact RinkWriter® if you would like assistance with a tournament web page.
Rink-Side Manual:  
It may be beneficial to have this information available for you announcer/scorekeeper: 
  • The Date and Time for each game.
  • The game number for each game.
  • Level of competition for each game.
  • The PDF name for each of the games if they are being uploaded to a web site.
  • The names of the scorekeepers for each game.
See sample printout for a rink.
It may also be beneficial to provide your announcer/scorekeeper with the:  
  • Tournament Rules
  • Pre-game announcements
  • Post-game announcements
  • Procedure for awards ceremonies
  • Names of coaches for each team
  • Names of officials for each game.
  • Procedure for uploading scoresheets to the Internet
   
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