Frequently Asked Questions About Scheduling and Standings
What are pools?
Pools are groupings of teams within a division, used to organize competition. Teams are automatically assigned to pools based on division size:
- 6-12 teams: 2 pools (A, B)
- 13-18 teams: 3 pools (A, B, C)
- 19+ teams: 4 pools (A, B, C, D)
- < 6 teams or non-competitive (6U-8U): No pools – uses balanced round-robin
What are cross-pool games?
Cross-pool games are matches between teams from different pools (e.g., Team from Pool A plays Team from Pool B). The season structure typically follows
- Week 1: Friendly games (often cross-pool)
- Weeks 2-6: Pool play (teams play within their pool)
- Weeks 7-11: Mixed play with both pool and cross-pool games
Do cross-pool games count in standings?
Yes, cross-pool games count toward standings. The only games that don’t count are “friendly” games (typically week 1). Both pool and cross-pool games contribute to standings.
How are standings determined?
Standings are determined by points accumulated from games where points count. This includes all pool and cross-pool games but excludes friendly games.
Do other sports do this?
It’s like in professional leagues: Your team is in a group (e.g., the NFC West) and you might play those teams more than once, but all your games count.) Pool winners are selected to make the playoff pools.
Will the schedule change?
It’s unlikely, but possible, if we have field permit problems. We received changes as recently as last Thursday. The most recent schedule was published around 5:00p on August 31, 2025.
Can I ask for an adjustment or change?
No, adjustments are not possible. We have worked hard to minimize conflicts, account for travel time, and ensure fairness.
Why did I get a schedule that looks like X (too many early games, too many late games, too many games at FIS, etc.)?
It’s an algorithm. It’s random luck in the draw.
Why do I play some teams more than once?
You may play a team more than once due primarily to a scheduling quirk or other constraints. Our schedule attempts to manage equity, coach conflicts, field permits, and other restrictions. In 2025, approximately 7% of games in 10U and 12U represent duplicate match-ups.
I coach more than one team, yet my games overlap. Is that a mistake? Can something be done about it?
Overlapping games exist. Unfortunately, they cannot be further resolved. There are 825 games in Fall Core, plus 66 games in G14 Interlock. There are about 35 coaches with more than one team and a couple with 3. We have only about 15 hard conflicts (games that overlap) and 25 tight schedules (games are less than 30 minutes apart). We tried our best, and this is it.
What if I am really convinced something is super wrong?
It’s totally possible. You can contact the scheduler.