3 step guide to setting up “pods” on OpenSports

Easily set up a mini-series of closed private pickup games that are COVID-19 friendly-er on OpenSports

In this quick guide, we will go over how to set up adult pods, and youth pods. Note that this guide shows screenshots of the web interface, but everything can be set up and registered for via the app as well. We also wrote an intro on the “pods” concept here, with some pros and cons.

We will flush out the details with some screenshots below, but here’s a quick overview of how it works:

1)Organizer creates an event that represents the whole mini season, and collects registration/payment for everyone who’s going to be in that “pod” for that multi-week season. For the sake of the example, let’s say it’s a 4 week season @ $80/player. Members of the group register for the pod.

2)For each of the 4 individual games, the organizer creates a secret event for that “pod”, and only sends invites to everyone who registered in step #1.

3)Players RSVP for each game so that organizer knows who’s coming, and health checks can get sent out automatically (if they’re set up)

Adult Pods

Here’s your step by step guide to create a mini-season of closed, private pickup games for adults:

Step 1: Set up an event to collect registration for the mini-season

First, the organizer creates an event that represents the whole mini season, and collects registration /payment for everyone who’s going to be in that “pod” for that multi-week season. For the sake of the example, let’s say it’s a 4 week season.

Key details when setting up the pod:

• Add a date range (in the example below it’s a 4-week mini season)
• Open up a max # of spots (ie., cap it at 25 spots) and add a price per player for the entire mini season (in the example below it’s $80)
• Make the event public or private so that everyone in your group can view it and join it (read here to learn the difference between a public, private, and secret event)

Once the registration page is set up, the group members can register & pay for the mini-season!

Step 2: Set up individual events to collect RSVP’s for each game

For each of the 4 individual games over the course of the mini-season, the organizer creates a secret event for that “pod”, and sends invites to everyone who registered in step #1, using the amazing OpenSports invite tool.

Key details when setting up the individual events:

• Specify the date, time, and location of the game
• Open up a max # of spots (ie., 25 spots) and set the price per player as free (since players pre-paid in step #1)
• Make the event secret so that only players who you invite can view and join the event

Step 3: Players RSVP

The players who you invited RSVP for each game so that the organizer knows who’s coming, and health checks can get sent out.

• Read here about setting up COVID-19 health checks/screening questions through our easy automated health check system.

Youth Pods

Here’s your step by step guide to create a mini-season of closed, private pickup games for youth (whereby parents can register):

Step 1: Set up an event to collect registration for the mini-season

First, the organizer creates an event that represents the whole mini season, and collects registration /payment for everyone who’s going to be in that “pod” for that multi-week season. For the sake of the example, let’s say it’s a 6 week season at $428 per player.

Key details when setting up the pod:

• Add a date range
• Open up a max # of spots (ie., cap it at 8 spots) and add a price per player for the entire mini season (in the example below it’s $428)
• Make the event public/private or secret. This part depends on how you want to go about recruiting participants for your pod. If you already know that a group is intersted in signing up, make the event secret, and send their “captain” the registration URL, and they can send the rest of the people in their pod the registration link to get everybody signed up. If you want for all members of your group to know that you are offering this pod season, make the event public or private (read here to learn the difference between a public, private, and secret event).
• Optional: Even for a youth pod, you can require that parents and their children register (but the parent’s spot is free — see screenshots below). On OpenSports, you will be registering your child under your name, so it is helpful to create an additional spot where you can indicate your child’s name

Once the registration page is set up, people can register & pay for their children for the mini-season!

Step 2: Set up individual events to collect RSVP’s for each game

For each of the 6 individual games over the course of the mini-season, the organizer creates a secret event for that “pod”, and sends invites to everyone who registered in step #1, using the amazing OpenSports invite tool.

Key details when setting up the individual events:

• It might be helpful to add the name of the “captain” of the pod to the event title
• Specify the date, time, and location of the game
• Open up a max # of spots (ie., 8 spots) and set the price per player as free (since players pre-paid in step #1)
• Make the event secret so that only players who you invite can view and join the event

Step 3: Players RSVP

The parents who you invited RSVP for each game so that the organizer knows who’s coming, and health checks can get sent out.

• Read here about setting up COVID-19 health checks/screening questions through our easy automated health check system.

If you have any questions about pods, we can’t wait to answer them! Email us at contact@opensports.net