Draw Builder

Q: How can I, as a competition manager, use Rugby Xplorer to create a draw for me? What algorithm does the draw builder use?

Draw Builder Algorithm

• The draw is based on a round robin style, the number of rounds and teams are predetermined in the comp setup. In most cases, if there is the right number of rounds all teams will play each other twice.
• The draw is created so that all teams play each other once and then the loop begins again with each team playing an opposing team once at home and once away, this will repeat again if there are rounds left over or alternatively if there are not enough rounds for all to play twice it will go as far as it can.
• Please note, the algorithm alternates home and away fixtures.

• An example of how the seeding moves around below. Round 1 = 1 v 6, 2 v 5, 3 v 4. Round 2 = 1 v 5, 6 v 4, 2 v 3, etc.

  Round 11 2 3

  6 5 4

  Round 21 6 2

  5 4 3

  Round 31 5 6

  4 3 2

  Round 41 4 5

  3 2 6

• Team 1 has a fixed position while the other teams move in a clockwise direction until the rounds are filled. In the case of uneven teams, a bye will fill the last position. Competition managers can change the positions of the teams in the line up by replacing teams in the order and "refresh". 

Creating the Draw

1. Competition Management > Draw Builder > Create Draw
2. Select Competition from the dropdown, click "Next"
3. Check number of rounds and default start time
4. Ensure the teams are in the order you want, you can drag and drop teams into their correct position
5. Click Draw Refresh to see the updated draw, click "Next"
6. Enter in Round Dates and Start Time, click "Save Draw" 
   • You can have multiple rounds on the same day, with different start times. The default start time of the competition will pre-populate and can be edited as required. 
   • Please note, this time comes from the Competition's Default Start time and can be edited before the draw is created. This time is linked to the home team's venue timezone. If the home team (and/or club) does not have a venue, then the national's timezone will be used.
   • Venues are pulled from the team's home venue, if this is blank it looks for the club's home venue as per their My Club setup. 
   • More information on adding fields to venues and venue blockout dates click here. 
   • Matches should not be created at the same venue at the same time due to venue blockouts. However, you can override this by clicking "I acknowledge these clashes and will resolve them once the matches have been published."
7. Visual scheduler will appear
8. Once happy with the draw, click "Publish" 
9. Confirm and click "Accept"

Updating Matches

• If you need to update or changed any of the matches, this can be done by clicking into the individual match and editing the details via Competition Management > Matches > Select the Competition > Click into a match. 
• Alternatively, changes can be done in bulk via the Redo draw template (available via Competition Management > Matches > Select a Competition > Click "Re-do Draw").