The best way to explain how to setup and use the knockout facilities is by example.

Example Knockout:

Scenario: You have three groups of under 11's, they are called 

Under 11 Group A

Under 11 Group B

Under 11 Group C

Group A has five teams, Group B as four teams and Group C has five teams.

In order to set up a knockout for the above groups, the following actions are required.

Create a section called Under 11's

Link each of the groups to the section

*** WARNING ***

If you change a groups 'Section' once you have created a knockout using the original section, the knockout matches will become inaccessible. If you need to change a groups section, you will have to recreate any knockouts that use that section.

Setting up the knockout:

Select 'New Knockout from the 'Create New' button on the toolbar or the 'New Knockout' option in the 'Knockout Stages' section of the 'Tools' menu. You will then be presented with a list of sections. Select 'Under 11's' from the list by double clicking it with the left mouse button. 

You will now be presented with the 'New Knockout' screen. Edit the knockout name by clicking the 'Edit Stage Details' button.

To create the first stage of the knockout, click the 'Add Stage' button and you will be presented with the 'New Knockout Stage' screen. 

In order to set up a the knockout stage follow the following instructions.

Enter the stage name 'Quarter Finals' in the 'Stage Name' box.

Select 'Under 11 - Group A' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Select 'Under 11 - Group B' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Enter 'QF1' in the 'Code' box (this is the match code'.

The 'Kick Off' and 'Pitch' can be left blank unless needed.

Click the 'Add' button to add the match to the stage.

Select 'Under 11 - Group A' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '2' in the place box. 

Select 'Under 11 - Group C' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Enter 'QF2' in the 'Code' box.

Click the 'Add' button  to add the match to the stage.

Select 'Under 11 - Group A' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '3' in the place box. 

Select 'Under 11 - Group B' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '2' in the place box.

Enter 'QF3' in the 'Code' box.

Click the 'Add' button  to add the match to the stage.

Select 'Under 11 - Group C' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '2' in the place box. 

Select 'Under 11 - Group C' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '3' in the place box.

Enter 'QF4' in the 'Code' box.

Click the 'Add' button  to add the match to the stage.

If you wanted to select a 'Best' place with in the groups, you should select 'Best' from the drop down list and enter the required place in the 'Place' box.

Click the 'Ok' button in order to save the stage details.

Click the 'Add Stage' button on the 'New Knockout' screen.

Enter 'Semi Finals' in the stage name box.

Select 'QF1' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Select 'QF2' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Enter 'SF1' in the 'Code' box (this is the match code'.

The 'Kick Off' and 'Pitch' can be left blank unless needed.

Click the 'Add' button to add the match to the stage.

Select 'QF3' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Select 'QF4' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Enter 'SF2' in the 'Code' box (this is the match code'.

The 'Kick Off' and 'Pitch' can be left blank unless needed.

Click the 'Add' button to add the match to the stage.

Click the 'Ok' button in order to save the stage details.

Click the 'Add Stage' button on the 'New Knockout' screen.

Enter 'Final' in the stage name box.

Select 'SF1' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Select 'SF2' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '1' in the place box.

Enter 'F1' in the 'Code' box (this is the match code'.

The 'Kick Off' and 'Pitch' can be left blank unless needed.

Click the 'Add' button to add the match to the stage.

Click the 'Ok' button in order to save the stage details.

In order to create a play off for third place, 

Click the 'Add Stage' button on the 'New Knockout' screen.

Enter 'Third Place Play Off' in the stage name box.

Select 'SF1' from the group 1 drop down list and enter '2' in the place box.

Select 'SF2' from the group 2 drop down list and enter '2' in the place box.

Enter 'P1' in the 'Code' box (this is the match code'.

The 'Kick Off', 'Pitch' and 'Date' can be left blank unless needed.

The 'Cert' check box should be checked if you wish to print a match certificate for this match.

Click the 'Add' button to add the match to the stage.

Click the 'Ok' button in order to save the stage details.

The knockout is now ready for use. click the 'Close' button. In order to see the knockout stage, click the 'Knockout' tab on the left hand side of the screen and click the knockout you want to display.

In order to populate the knockout, select the 'Populate Knockout' from the Group Details' drop down menu or the 'Knockout Stages' menu on the 'Tools' menu. You will be presented with a message saying that any data already populated in the knockout will be overwritten if you continue, this is because the populate routine will attempt to populate the knockout fully and only present another screen you need to check anything or make some decisions. click you to continue. The next screen that may appear is the 'Knockout Checks/Choices' screen. This screen consists of two buttons that will only be enabled if you need to check for 'Unplayed Matches' or 'Possible Payoff's. The grid will display any options that you entered into the first knockout stage and require you to check them because 2 or mores teams match the required criteria. If you are happy with the results displayed on this screen, click the 'Complete' button'. If you click the 'Don't Complete' button the population will end, please be aware that this could leave to knockout only partly populated and you will need to run the complete population procedure prior to entering match results.

Once you have fully populated the knockout and start entering the match results, the stages after the first stage will be populated automatically.

To enter match results, simply double click the required match and the match details screen will be displayed. On the match details screen, you can enter the match results and even change the teams if required.