{"Status":true,"Message":"","Response":{"post":{"postuid":"72000646262","tenantuid":"45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903","projectuid":"4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919","title":"How to Enable Player Scoring and Auto-Run Your Tournament","slug":"72000646262-how-to-enable-player-scoring-and-auto-run-your-tournament","html":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERunning a pickleball tournament just got easier with the new feature that allows players to enter their own scores directly from their phones, while the tournament system auto-runs matches and court assignments. This guide will walk you through the essentials of setting up and managing this feature, along with tips from experienced tournament directors who have tested it extensively.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022getting_started_enabling_player_score_entry_and_texting\u0022\u003EGetting Started: Enabling Player Score Entry and Texting\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo use this feature, the first step is enabling texting in your tournament setup. Texting is crucial because players receive match assignments and score entry links via text messages, making communication seamless and instant.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo to your \u003Cb\u003EEdit Tourney\u003C/b\u003E menu and scroll down to ensure texting is turned on. Note the extra cost per player (not per text).\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENext, navigate to your \u003Cb\u003EEvents\u003C/b\u003E screen and click the edit pencil next to the event you want to allow player score entry for.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScroll to the bottom and toggle on \u003Ci\u003ECan players enter scores?\u003C/i\u003E and set the \u003Ci\u003EMinutes until auto confirm\u003C/i\u003E. A three-minute confirmation window is a good starting point, though some run instant confirmation or 1 minute confirmation for faster flow.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf your event has a playoff scheduled, you\u0027ll see an additional toggle switch to allow player to enter scores for their playoff matches.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESave your changes.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022lazy-load\u0022 data-src=\u0022https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/69352b70766e2dc139451f96e1d0f278.png?v=-919100739\u0022 data-width=\u00221086\u0022 data-height=\u0022611\u0022 style=\u0022\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022/\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003EEditing event to enable players entering their own scores\u003C/figcaption\u003E\u003C/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce enabled, \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/72000617752-how-to-verify-my-brackets-in-live-console\u0022\u003Everify your event in the live console to confirm it is ready for tournament day\u003C/a\u003E. You will see an icon indicating that players can enter scores for that event.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022using_court_desk_and_autorun_features\u0022\u003EUsing Court Desk and Auto-Run Features\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe court desk interface now supports an \u003Cb\u003EAuto-Run\u003C/b\u003E mode combined with player-entered scoring. This means the system automatically assigns courts and sends out matches as players finish and enter their scores.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStart your events from the live console, by selection options, then \u0022start\u0022 in the menu. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo to the waiting tab in live console once you have started matches\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse the \u003Ci\u003EFill Empty Court\u003C/i\u003E button to assign matches to available courts automatically.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENavigate to the court desk to view courts and refresh as needed\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAs scores are entered and confirmed, the system assigns the next matches to freed-up courts without manual intervention.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf you run tournaments on designated courts or \u0022pods,\u0022 \u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/72000633576-how-to-use-the-manage-event-court-counts-\u0026amp;-start-times-tab\u0022\u003Eyou can exclude courts from certain events to control where matches are played.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022lazy-load\u0022 data-width=\u00221086\u0022 data-height=\u0022611\u0022 data-src=\u0022https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/d875b573ca3c7337436bf24229335ac0.png?v=-892425185\u0022 style=\u0022\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022/\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis auto-run setup frees tournament directors from manually tracking and assigning matches, allowing them to focus on helping players and maintaining smooth operations.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022player_experience_how_players_enter_scores\u0022\u003EPlayer Experience: How Players Enter Scores\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlayers receive text messages with match assignments and a direct link to enter their scores after finishing a match. The process is straightforward:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPlayers tap the link right from their phone, or go to the tournament page and click \u003Ci\u003EView Current Matches\u003C/i\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThey enter the score on their phone and hit \u003Ci\u003ESave\u003C/i\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOne player then clicks \u003Ci\u003EFinish Match\u003C/i\u003E to submit the score for opponent confirmation.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe opposing team receives a prompt to either \u003Ci\u003EConfirm\u003C/i\u003E or \u003Ci\u003EDispute\u003C/i\u003E the score.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf disputed, both teams are directed to the tournament desk to resolve the issue.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ol\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022lazy-load\u0022 data-width=\u00221086\u0022 data-height=\u0022611\u0022 data-src=\u0022https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/a867b656ae2729296d6e47a0b9793bfb.png?v=-890969397\u0022 style=\u0022\u0022 alt=\u0022\u0022/\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo ensure smooth operation, tournament directors recommend informing players well in advance to:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBe logged into their Pickleball.com account on their phone before tournament day.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHave texting enabled in their player profile, making sure their phone number as well as their country code are both correct\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBring reading glasses or other aids if needed to comfortably enter scores on their device.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022best_practices_and_tips_from_tournament_directors\u0022\u003EBest Practices and Tips from Tournament Directors\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperienced directors Janice and Kati \u0026nbsp;shared valuable insights based on their real-world use of this feature:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EInstant Confirmation vs. Time Delay:\u003C/b\u003E Instant confirmation speeds up play but may cause issues in single or double elimination brackets if mistakes occur. A 2-3 minute confirmation window is ideal for elimination rounds.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer Education:\u003C/b\u003E Hold a brief meeting before the event to explain score entry. Having a dedicated person to assist players during the first round helps ease anxiety and ensures everyone understands the process.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EScore Entry Responsibility:\u003C/b\u003E Assign the winning team to enter the score to avoid conflicts or multiple entries.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMonitoring:\u003C/b\u003E Walk around with a tablet showing the live court desk or bracket view to monitor score entry and court assignments, rather than staying tied to the tournament desk.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManaging Courts and Pods:\u003C/b\u003E Use the \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/72000633576-how-to-use-the-manage-event-court-counts-\u0026amp;-start-times-tab\u0022\u003EManage Event Court Counts and Start Times\u0026nbsp;\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/i\u003Escreen to exclude courts and assign pods for better control over where matches are played.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHandling Disputes:\u003C/b\u003E Disputes are rare and usually resolved quickly at the tournament desk.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMixed Use:\u003C/b\u003E You can enable player score entry for some events and use traditional paper score sheets for others within the same tournament.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022how_to_know_scores_are_entered_and_verified\u0022\u003EHow to Know Scores Are Entered and Verified\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETournament directors can verify score entry by:\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWatching the \u003Cb\u003ELive Console\u003C/b\u003E bracket view to see scores populate in real time.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMonitoring the \u003Cb\u003ECourt Desk\u003C/b\u003E to track court assignments and match progress.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChecking for matches that have been on a court too long without score entry, then contacting players directly.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERelying on opponent confirmation of scores; if a score is disputed or unconfirmed, players will be prompted to visit the tournament desk.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022additional_considerations\u0022\u003EAdditional Considerations\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf you have referees using the official referee app, score sheets may not be necessary as referees can enter scores on their app, or they can will turn in the score sheet.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPrinted score sheets are generally not needed with player score entry enabled, but you can still print them if desired.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAuto-fill court assignments work best when player score entry is enabled, but you can use auto-fill with some events using paper score sheets and others using phone entry.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe system sends multiple text notifications to players for match assignments, score entry, and confirmations, so encourage players to pay attention to these messages.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022summary\u0022\u003ESummary\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnabling players to enter their own scores and using the auto-run court desk feature transforms how pickleball tournaments are managed. This approach reduces manual score tracking, speeds up match progression, and empowers players to take an active role in tournament operations. With proper setup, clear communication, and some hands-on support during the first matches, tournament directors can enjoy a smoother, more efficient tournament day.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022for_further_review\u0022\u003EFor Further Review\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a deeper dive into this feature and to see it in action, watch the full webinar recording on the Pickleball Play Solutions YouTube channel. It covers all aspects of setting up, running, and troubleshooting player score entry and auto-run tournaments.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ciframe src=\u0022https://www.youtube.com/embed/sH9ZEY5DjTM\u0022 width=\u0022640\u0022 height=\u0022360\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C/iframe\u003E","publish_status":0,"post_type":"Article","authoruid":"6c77a55f-5956-43d0-8fab-ece7148056b1","author":{"authoruid":"6c77a55f-5956-43d0-8fab-ece7148056b1"},"featured_image_updating":false,"meta_description":"Running a pickleball tournament just got easier with the new feature that allows players to enter their own scores directly from their phones, while the tournament system auto-runs matches and court assignments. This guide will walk you through the essentials of setting up and managing this feature, along with tips from experienced tournament directors who have tested it extensively. TABLE OF CONTENTS Enable Player Scoring and Auto-Run Your Tournament Getting Started: Enabling Player Score Entry and Tex ...","display_toc":true,"has_workingcopy":false,"allow_indexing":true,"total_views":75,"date_published":"2025-12-15T08:36:00","date_updated":"2026-04-28T13:26:30.413","date_created":"2026-02-28T20:39:12.273"}}}