NCAA LiveStats for Soccer - FAQ

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CRITICAL WARNING: A GAME KEY SHOULD BE USED ONLY ONCE, AND ONLY BY THE HOST INSTITUTION FOR THE OFFICIAL SCORING OF THE GAME. Having two or more people scoring a game with the same Game Key will cause the files to merge and combine, therefore corrupting the statistics for the game.

If you wish to practice with NCAA LiveStats (which we recommend!) please set the game up manually. Please do NOT use the Game Key for this. Any practice or non-official game should always be set up manually in NCAA LiveStats.

Contents

Calling and inputting

What are best practices for communication between the caller and the inputter?

• All NCAA LiveStats products are designed for a two-person crew, but NCAA LiveStats for Soccer can be managed alone in most cases if the user is not attempting to do other tasks.
• The inputter might find it useful to have a second person who can serve as a second set of eyes and to assist with substitutions.

Should I use a mouse or a touchscreen?

• Either method works well. It’s really a matter of personal preference.

Setting up games

How do I set up a regular season match in NCAA LiveStats?

• By retrieving a Game Key from the NCAA School & Conference Manager (NSCM). Sign-in to the NSCM and use the Games List to locate the match you wish to set-up. Click on the match, and the Game Key will be visible. Copy the Game Key to your computer's clipboard. On the Create a New Game menu in NCAA LiveStats, choose “Enter Game Key”. Paste the Game Key into the space to create the match.
• If you wish to set up a practice or exhibition game that is not in the NSCM, you are always able to create a game manually in NCAA LiveStats on the opening screen, but that game cannot be made an official NCAA game.
• Remember: Using a Game Key will make the match official and send the data to the NCAA Statistics Database and the NSCM. If you don't wish to use NCAA LiveStats in an official capacity, create the match manually.

How do I set up a regular season match against a non-NCAA member school?

• Check the NSCM to see if the non-NCAA member team is listed. If they have played an NCAA opponent earlier in the season and NCAA LiveStats was used to score the match, the roster will be visible when clicking their entry.
  • If the non-NCAA opponent has a roster in the NSCM, find the match in the Games List, choose platform "LiveStats", click on the game and copy the Game Key to your clipboard. Create the match in NCAA LiveStats as usual. As always, verify the accuracy of the rosters before stating the game.
  • If the non-NCAA opponent does not have a roster in the NSCM, find the match in the Games List, choose platform "LiveStats", click on the match and copy the Game Key to your clipboard. Create the match in NCAA LiveStats as usual. When you reach the "Players" tab in the match setup progress, you will need to enter the roster of the non-NCAA opponent manually. Upon completing the match, the roster you entered will be stored in the NSCM for the next school who might play that opponent.

What is the difference between Name, Short Name, Short Team Code, and Long Team Code?

• Name – The full name of the school, for example, “Middle Tennessee State University”
• Short Name – An abbreviated version or nickname, for example, “Middle Tennessee St.” or "Blue Raiders"
• Short Team Code – This must be exactly 3 characters, for example, “MTS”. The Short Team Code will not appear on any reports if you also enter a Long Team Code.
• Long Team Code – A school’s most common acronym, using 1-6 characters, that will be used on reports, for example “MTSU”. If you put in a Long Team Code it will override the Short Team Code as that team’s primary abbreviation in reports.

How do I enter...?

How do I enter starters?

• On the Players tab during match set up, designate the 11 players (including one goalkeeper) as starters by checking the box in the Line-Up column.

How do I enter formations? Is this a required step?

• This is NOT a required step for NCAA LiveStats users. To bypass this step choose "-" from the formation drop down box.
  
• On the Formations tab, choose the formation the team intends to play in.
• Those starters who have positions listed on the Players tab will be assigned to position on the field. To change a players position, or add a player to a vacant position, click any two icons and the two icons will trade places.

How do I change possession of the ball between the two teams?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• The easiest way is to use the TAB key on your keyboard. Pressing the TAB key will toggle possession between the two teams.
• The inputter can also click the “Possession” button near the team names.
• The relative possession for each team will be included on the NCAA LiveStats     

How do I update the ball location, and how often should I update the location?

• Watch instructional video HERE
  
• The inputter can update the location of the ball by clicking anywhere on the playing field.
• The inputter should update location as often as they are able. The more often you can update the location, the more accurate your field zone data will be. This data can be used in game centers to show the amount of time the ball spent in different areas of the field, and it is displayed in NCAA LiveStats box scores.

How do I enter a Goal?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Click the Goal button underneath the team name.
• Confirm the goal has been scored or Cancel & Delete if necessary.
• Select the player who scored the goal, or choose the opposing team's name for an Own Goal.
• Click the location on the field from which the goal was scored.
• Click the Shot Position where the ball entered the goal.
• Indicate which part of the body was used to score the goal (left foot, right foot, head, other).
• Choose the player or players to get credit for an assist on the goal, or choose No Assist.
• Use the Kick Off button to restart the game.
• To add or review the Goal Description, click the game from the Action Log and choose the Comments icon in the upper right corner. (Watch instructional video HERE).

How do I enter an Own Goal?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Follow the same workflow as a Goal.
• When asked to enter a player who scored the goal, click the opponents team name at the top of the screen. This will credit an Own Goal.

How do I enter a Goal Description?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• After completing the Goal Workflow, restart the match with the kickoff.
• Click the Goal in the Action Log column to open it in the editor.
• Click the Comments icon in the upper right corner.
  
• Write your goal description in the available space and click OK.

How do I enter a Shot?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click Shot for the team taking the attempt.
• Select the player who took the shot.
• Choose a result of the shot (blocked, off target, or on target)
• If you choose Off Target, choose the Shot Position relative to the goal. Note that you can also select a post or a crossbar from this screen.
• If you choose On Target, choose the Shot Position relative to the goal.

How do I enter a Foul, Offense or an Offside followed by a Free Kick?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click Free Kick for the team that was offended.
• Click a location on the field for the Free Kick.
• Select a reason for the Free Kick (foul, non-contact offense or offside)
• If you choose Foul, select the player who committed the foul, then choose the player who was fouled.
• If you choose Offense, select the player who committed the offense, then choose the player who drew the offense or choose the team name if the offense didn’t have a target, such as a handball.
• If the Free Kick results in a Shot or a Goal, click Shot or a Goal and follow that workflow.
• If the Free Kick is taken without a shot, indicate where the ball has landed and continue from that point.

How do I enter a Corner Kick?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click Corner, and choose which corner the kick will be taken from.
• Confirm the corner will be taken or click Cancel & Delete if necessary
• If the corner kick results directly in a Shot or a Goal, click Shot or a Goal and follow that workflow.
• Indicate the location where corner kick has landed, and continue the action from there.

How do I enter a Penalty Kick?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click Penalty for the team the is receiving the Penalty Kick.
• Confirm the Penalty Kick will be awarded or click Cancel & Delete if necessary.
• Click the location of the foul.
• Select the player who committed the foul.
• Select the player who will be taking the penalty kick.
• Choose the Penalty Kick Outcome (Shot Off-Target, Shot-On Target or Goal)
• If the Penalty Kick is unsuccessful indicate the position of the shot. If it is successful, confirm the goal.
• If a violation occurs and a retake is necessary, click Retake Penalty to repeat the process.

How do I enter a Yellow Card or a Red Card?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Click Yellow Card or Red Card for the offending team.
• Choose the Disciplinary Type, either yellow card, red card, or a second yellow/red card.
• Confirm the card or choose cancel & delete
• Select a player to receive the card. Use the Bench button to display bench players if necessary. Click the team name to charge a card to the coach or coaching staff.
• Choose a reason for the card.

How do I enter a Yellow Card or a Red Card for a Coach?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Make sure that the coach's name has been entered on the Teams tab, and that the coach is marked Active.
• Click Yellow Card or Red Card for the offending team.
• Choose the Disciplinary Type, either yellow card, red card, or a second yellow/red card.
• Confirm the card or choose cancel & delete.
• Select "Bench" from the bottom of the players list.
• Select the coach who is receiving the card.
• Choose a reason for the card.

How do I enter a Red Card for a Goalkeeper?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Begin by charging the Red Card to the Goalkeeper as you would for any other player.
• Choose "Switch Players" to begin the process of identifying a new Goalkeeper.
• From the substitution screen, make any accompanying substitutions to bring a backup Goalkeeper to the field.
• Save and confirm the new lineup.
• If you do not have a player identified by positions as a Goalkeeper, NCAA LiveStats will prompt you to select the new Goalkeeper from the available players on the field.

How do I enter a substitution? 

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click the substitution button for the appropriate team.
• Choose a player from the bench to enter the game and a player from the lineup to leave the game. This action can be done in either order.
• If there is an additional sub, click another player from the bench and a corresponding player from the lineup.
• To enter a large number of substitutions or to reset the field, click "Wave Sub" and then choose the players who are on the field. Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click Save & Confirm.
• Click Confirm.

How do I substitute goalkeepers? What if a goalkeeper enters as a field player?

• For a straightforward 1-for-1 goalkeeper sub, make the substitution just as you would for a field player. Then click Select GK, and choose the proper goalkeeper from the current line-up. Watch instructional video HERE.
• If a player listed as a Goalkeeper plans to enter as a field player, make the substitution as normal. If the substitution results in two listed goalkeepers on the field, NCAA LiveStats will prompt you to select which player will actually be playing in goal. Watch instructional video HERE.

How do I enter a throw-in or a goal kick?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Click Throw In or Goal Kick for the appropriate team.
• Choose the location for the throw or kick from the highlighted area.
• Choose the location where the ball landed.

How do I use and fix the game clock?

• Start and stop the game clock by pressing the Space Bar on your keyboard or clicking the button next to the clock display.
• For small adjustments, you can double click the clock and use the up or down arrows located next to the clock display. If you wish to type in a new time directly, double-click on the clock, and enter a corrected time.

How do I enter a penalty kick shootout?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• At the beginning of the match, make sure that "Enable Penalty Shootout" is checked on the Game Information menu.
• After confirming the score following the second overtime, click "Setup Half" and then "Kickoff" to begin the shootout.
• Choose the player from either team who will shoot first. Indicate the result of the penalty shot and the location of the shot.
• Repeat the same process for each shooter until a winner has been determined.
• Click "End Shootout" and then Finalize the game.

How do I Abandon/Early End a match? (updated based on new NCAA rules in 2022)

• Watch instructional video HERE (awaiting update)
• Soccer game is stopped BEFORE 70 minutes are played... 
  • Just close the app. When the game resumes the next day or a week later, just open the game and continue like nothing happened. Do NOT use End Early or Abandon. No Reset of API or any other action is necessary.
    
• Soccer game is stopped AFTER 70 minutes have been played… 
  • Use Early End. This finalizes the game at a point in time between 70 and 90 minutes. Game is over.
    
• Soccer game is stopped BEFORE 70 minutes and the two teams will NEVER EVER resume playing… 
  • That is the only time to use Abandon game and it cannot be undone. This will wipe out all stats and actions. But it’s always safer to just leave the game in progress, even if it’s until the end of the season, just in case they change their mind and do resume the game. If you are ever unsure, just close the app.
    
• If you need to end a game early click on "Game" then "Abandon/Early End"
• Once there you choose the reason as why you are ending it:
  • Abandon: Any game ended under 70 minutes that will NEVER be resumed must be "Abandon" as those game's statistics will not count. This is not reversible. Use with caution.
  • Early End: Any game played over 70 minutes but ends before normal stoppage time. These game's stats do count
• Enter how much time is remaining and enter the reason as to why you are ending the game.
• Once you confirm it will automatically end the game and finalize it.
• If you need to make post game edits you can enter any Early End games in our Post game Edit mode
• If you mistakenly enter overtime and need to end the game, go to the Full Screen Action Log and delete the end of the period. Return to the Game Information menu and uncheck Enable Overtime. Then you can return to the game and end the half.
• If you mistakenly indicated there would be penalty kicks after the overtime periods, go to the Full Screen Action Log and delete the end of the period. Return to the Game Information menu and disable Penalty Kicks. Then you can return to the game and end the overtime.
  

Editing plays

How can I edit an action?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Double-click the play in the Action Log on the right side of the screen.
• The play will open in the editor where you can adjust or add any attributes of the play.
• Click “Save” to save your changes.

How do I delete an action?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Click the full screen icon in the Action Log, or open the play by clicking on it in the Action Log.
• Choose the Delete icon for the play you wish to delete.
• Confirm your desire to delete the play in the pop-up window.

I forget to enter a substitution and the player I missed has recorded an action. What do I do?

• When selecting a player for an action, you can click “Substitution” from the player list.
• Enter in the appropriate substitution.
• When you finish the substitution entry, you’ll be returned to the play entry at the same point you left it.
• Credit the action to the appropriate player who is now in the game.
• Later, you can edit the time of the sub back to when the player should have entered the game.

How do I insert a play?

• Watch instructional video HERE
• Open the Action Log full screen.
• Select a play in the action log closest to where you wish to enter a new action.
• Choose “Insert Earlier” or “Insert Later” and select the type of action you wish to add.
• Assign all attributes including the time of the action in the editor.
• Click Save & Confirm.

What is Flag & Save?

• You can Flag any play by clicking the gray flag icon directly in the Action Log, without needing to open the play in the editor. This will mark the play with a red flag to indicate that something may be wrong with it, or it needs attention. This will allow you to quickly bookmark a potential mistake so you can find it later. NCAA LiveStats may also Flag plays itself, if it suspects some kind of input error (such as crediting stats to a player not currently in the game). When you return to edit the play click the red Review flag in the upper left corner to read the error message.
• You can also click on any play in the Action Log you will have the option to Flag & Save that play. If you placed the Flag yourself, it will be cleared once you return to edit the play (even if you ultimately don’t make any changes). When you reach the end of the period NCAA LiveStats will prompt you to check all flagged plays.

How do I use the filters in the Action Log to locate a play?

• By clicking on the Arrows icon above the Action Log, you can open the Action Log Editing window full screen. In the left-hand column are a number of filters that you can use to locate a particular play. Choose a filter and the play list will display only those plays that match the selection. You can choose multiple filters to further narrow down the set of plays you are searching. You will see which filters are applied, and can turn off any filter you choose.

Other questions

When I enter a red card does it automatically remove the player from the game?

• Yes. A player the is charged with a red card will still appear on the lineup marked with a red line. You can no longer credit them for any actions, and their minutes played will be properly reflected on the box score.

We had a yellow card, but I’m not sure to whom it was charged. What should I do?

• Watch instructional video HERE.
• Follow the regular steps for charging a yellow card.
• When asked for the player to be charged, click “Flag & Continue”
• Choose a reason for the card.
• This will charge the yellow card and allow you to continue entering the action. Later you can double click the play in the Action Log to open up the editor and charge the appropriate player.

How can I do mass subs or how can I reset my lineup at the beginning of a new half or overtime?

• Click the Substitution button and choose Wave Sub. You can now select the 11 players who are on the field.  Please note that this functionality may not in in place during the pre-season but will be available once the season begins.

Where do I find the NCAA Game ID number for my game?

• Open the game in NCAA LiveStats
• Under the Help menu, choose Game Information
• The ID number is listed as "Game ID" or "NCAA Game ID"

What is the purpose of keeping track of throw-ins and goal kicks?

• Throw-ins and goal kicks have three primary functions in the software:
  • Each of those entries pushes the data out to end users. One of the complaints we heard a lot about soccer is if there’s no action in the game, the live stats/broadcast stats, etc. never update. In particular, the clock doesn’t move. By providing these actions, we expect third-party providers will be able to provide a better Gamecenter that stays more current with the action.
  • These data points will soon be showing up in the Gamecenters and play-by-plays for a richer set of information, so it's useful to begin entering them from the beginning.
  • Each entry assists in the workflow to make it easier for the user to remember to track the possession and ball location. Each of these actions serves as a reminder for the user to stay up to date.

Why should users track ball possession and field location?

• In our user testing groups, the biggest complaint we had about soccer statistics is that there simply isn’t enough data to tell an accurate story of the game. A typical NCAA soccer box score was incomplete, so that was one of the goals with NCAA LiveStats for Soccer. Incorporating possession and attacking/defending zones is a good way to start to match the level of data available in other leagues worldwide. It’s common information that coaches, media and fans routinely see, so NCAA LiveStats for Soccer can provide that.

What is the Medical icon located near the team name used for?

• Clicking the Medical icon will allow you to indicate if an injured player is on or off the field at the moment.
• If you indicate a certain injured player is off the field, you can click their name later to show when they have returned the field.
• This is completely an optional function to use at the discretion of the inputter. 

Do I need to update my team's records at the end of the game? 

• No. NCAA LiveStats knows who won the game and who lost the game, so it will do that for you once you click Finalize Game.

What is the difference between a foul and an offense? 

• A Foul is a physical violation of the rules made against an opposing player (pushing, tripping, etc). On a Foul the user will be asked to input both the player who committed the foul and the player who drew the foul.
• An Offense is a non-contact violation of the rules (handball, dangerous play, back pass handled by the goalkeeper, etc). On an Offense the user will be asked to input the player who committed the offense. If there was a player who drew the foul, that can be entered, or the user can choose the team name to indicate the offense was against the "Team".

What are the Game Messages used for? 

• Game Messages can be selected from the drop box above the clock to indicate an unexpected delay in the action. This information can be pushed downstream by third-party providers so users know when a delay is occurring.
• When you select a Game Message, NCAA LiveStats for Soccer will prompt for an estimated length of the delay.
• When play resumes, simply select "No Interruptions" to clear the Game Message.

How do I upload schedules and rosters to the NSCM?

• All schedules and rosters migrate from the NCAA Statistics database. So by submitting your pre-season schedules and rosters to the NCAA the same way you have always done, that information will get pushed to the NSCM.

• If you need to change a roster in mid-season, log-in to the NCAA Statistics database and make the changes there. That information will be pushed to the NSCM.

• If you need to change a schedule in mid-season, contact the NCAA Statistics office representative for your sport and division. 

In the Pregame check I received a "System Clock Difference Detected" message. What does this mean?

• In order for NCAA LiveStats to properly connect to the Genius Sports servers, the clock on your computer must be in sync to the world clock. This message appears when the clock on your computer does not match the world clock. Without proper synchronization you will not be able to connect to the servers which will prevent the creation of Game Books, Pack files and XML files.
• Use http://time.is to see the current world time and learn how far off your computer is.
• In your computer Settings go to "Change Date & Time"
• Set "Set time automatically" to On.
• If necessary, use "Change Date & Time" to manually set you computer clock to match the world clock.
• If your organization's restrictions prevent you from changing clock settings, please contact your IT department.

My game was postponed. What do I need to do?

• As you have always done, your first step when a game is postponed is to notify the NCAA Statistics office representative for your sport and division.
• As of 2020, NCAA members can edit and update their own schedules in the NCAA Statistics database at stats.ncaa.org.
• Once the NCAA database is updated the new date will be reflected in the NSCM.
• However, if the new date is not showing in the NSCM, there's no reason to worry. Use the same Game Key for that game, and on the Game Information tab adjust the date and time accordingly.

What are Game Keys?

• Game Keys are unique identification numbers assigned to each game in the NCAA School and Conference Manager (NSCM). To set-up a game with a Game Key, copy the Game Key from NSCM to your computer’s clipboard. On the Create a New Game menu in NCAA LiveStats, choose “Enter a Game Key”. Paste the Game Key into the space to create the game. Watch instructional video HERE.
• IMPORTANT - Using a Game Key will trigger the beginning of the game in the database and begin sending official stats to the NCAA Statistics Database and the NSCM. Do NOT use a Game Key for unofficial games, and do NOT enter test plays into a game created with a Game Key.

Why can't I turn off certain stats, or choose to not track some statistics?

• One of the long term goals on the NCAA LiveStats project is to create consistent data collection for all NCAA schools. So with rare exceptions, users are not permitted to turn on or off different statistics. This helps insure that all NCAA schools are collecting the same set of data for each game or match.

Is there a keystroke entry option?

• No, there is not a keystroke option, other than the space bar which will start and stop the clock, and the TAB key which will toggle possession of the ball. NCAA LiveStats is gathering information based on location and many automations are location driven.

If I am using NCAA LiveStats, what happens when I play on the road and the opponent uses StatCrew/Presto?

• The opponent will upload their post-game information to the NCAA Database, and the data will migrate into the NSCM. With that data, users can run any available reports.

What do I put in the Competition field in Game Information?

• The Competition field is required on the Game Information tab. This information will appear in the header on most reports. If this is a tournament, enter the name of the tournament. If it’s an ordinary regular season game, we recommend using “NCAA Men’s Soccer” or “NCAA Women’s Soccer”. 

Error Messages

Application Error: Couldn't open the game. The RPC server is unavailable.

• This is a rather common Windows error that occurs in a wide variety of situations, most of them involving communications between two machines across a network. The solution is to close all programs and restart your machine. For more information, click here.