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ELTTL Availability Tracker - User Guide

Welcome to the ELTTL Availability Tracker! This guide will help you get started with tracking player availability and managing team selections for your table tennis team.

Table of Contents

  1. Getting Started
  2. Importing Your Team
  3. Managing Player Availability
  4. Selecting Your Final Team
  5. Understanding Player Statistics
  6. Tips and Best Practices
  7. Troubleshooting
  8. FAQ

Getting Started

What is the Availability Tracker?

The Availability Tracker is a tool designed to help table tennis team captains:

  • Track which players are available for upcoming matches
  • Select the final 3 players for each fixture
  • View statistics about player participation
  • Keep historical records of past selections

Before You Begin

You'll need:

  1. Your team's ELTTL URL (looks like: https://elttl.interactive.co.uk/teams/view/123)
  2. Access to your team's fixture schedule on the ELTTL website
  3. A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)

Importing Your Team

Step 1: Navigate to the Tracker

  1. Go to the homepage
  2. Look for the "Availability Tracker" tool card
  3. Click "Get Started" or "Learn More"

Step 2: Import Your Team Data

  1. Click the "Import New Team" button
  2. You'll see a form with a URL input field
  3. Paste your ELTTL team URL into the field
  4. Click "Import Team"

What happens next?

  • The system fetches your team data from ELTTL
  • Team name, fixtures, and player roster are automatically imported
  • You'll be redirected to your team's availability page
  • All players start as "not available" for all fixtures

Example URLs

✅ Valid ELTTL URLs:

  • https://elttl.interactive.co.uk/teams/view/123
  • https://elttl.interactive.co.uk/teams/view/456

❌ Invalid URLs:

  • https://elttl.interactive.co.uk/ (too general)
  • https://elttl.interactive.co.uk/teams (missing team ID)
  • https://other-website.com/teams/123 (wrong domain)

Troubleshooting Import

"Invalid ELTTL URL format" error:

  • Check that you copied the complete URL
  • Ensure it starts with https://elttl.interactive.co.uk/teams/view/
  • Verify the URL works when you paste it in your browser

"Failed to import team" error:

  • The ELTTL website might be temporarily unavailable
  • Your team page might be private or restricted
  • Try again in a few minutes

Team already imported:

  • If your team was previously imported, you'll be taken to the existing team page
  • No duplicate data is created

Managing Player Availability

Understanding the Fixture Cards

Each fixture is displayed in a card showing:

  • Match Date and Time: When the match is scheduled
  • Teams: Home vs Away team names
  • Venue: Where the match will be played
  • Player List: All team members with checkboxes

Marking Players as Available

  1. Find the fixture you want to update
  2. Check the box next to each player who is available
  3. Uncheck the box for players who are unavailable
  4. Changes are saved automatically - no need to click a save button!

Visual Indicators

  • ✅ Checked box: Player is available
  • ☐ Unchecked box: Player is not available
  • 🏆 Gold highlight: Player is in the final selection
  • 🔒 Dimmed/disabled: Past fixture (read-only mode)

Past vs Future Fixtures

Future Fixtures (upcoming matches):

  • Fully editable
  • Can check/uncheck availability anytime
  • Can change final selections

Past Fixtures (matches already played):

  • Read-only by default to preserve history
  • Shows historical availability and selections
  • Can enable "Edit Past Fixtures" mode if needed

To edit past fixtures:

  1. Look for the toggle switch labeled "Edit Past Fixtures"
  2. Turn it ON
  3. Past fixtures become editable
  4. Turn it OFF when done to prevent accidental changes

Selecting Your Final Team

When to Make Selections

  • Wait until you have at least 3 players marked as available
  • Typically done a few days before the match
  • Can be changed anytime until the match date

How to Select Players

  1. Check availability for at least 3 players
  2. Click the "Select 3 Players" button on the fixture card
  3. A selection dialog appears showing available players
  4. Click on 3 players to add them to the selection
  5. Selected players show a checkmark
  6. Click "Save Selection" to confirm

Selection Rules

⚠️ Important Validation Rules:

  1. Exactly 3 players: Must select exactly 3 players (not more, not less)
  2. Availability required: Can only select from players marked as available
  3. Maximum limit: Cannot select more than 3 players
  4. Clear selection: Can remove a selection by clicking "Clear Selection" and saving

What If You Don't Have 3 Available Players?

If fewer than 3 players are marked available:

  • ⚠️ A warning message is displayed
  • The "Select 3 Players" button may be disabled
  • You'll see: "Only X player(s) available. Need 3 to select."

What to do:

  1. Double-check if any additional players can play
  2. Mark them as available
  3. Contact players to confirm their availability
  4. Once you have 3+ available, you can make your selection

Changing a Selection

To change who's playing:

  1. Click "Change Selection" on the fixture card
  2. The current selection is highlighted
  3. Click on different players to change
  4. Click "Save Selection" to update

To clear a selection entirely:

  1. Click "Change Selection"
  2. Click "Clear Selection" at the bottom
  3. Click "Save Selection" to confirm

Understanding Player Statistics

Player Summary Cards

Each player has a summary card showing their statistics:

Games Played (past matches):

  • Number of matches where the player was in the final selection
  • Only counts completed fixtures

Games Scheduled (future matches):

  • Number of upcoming matches where player is selected
  • Helps with planning and fairness

Total Games:

  • Sum of played + scheduled
  • Overall participation count

Selection Rate:

  • Percentage of all fixtures where player was chosen
  • Calculated as: (Total Games / Total Fixtures) × 100
  • Useful for ensuring fair rotation

Example

John Smith
🎾 Games Played: 5
📅 Games Scheduled: 3
📊 Total: 8
🎯 Selection Rate: 67%

This means:

  • John has played in 5 past matches
  • He's selected for 3 upcoming matches
  • Out of 12 total fixtures, he's been chosen for 8
  • His selection rate is 67%

Using Statistics for Team Management

Ensure Fair Play:

  • Compare selection rates across players
  • Give opportunities to players with lower rates
  • Balance between regularity and availability

Plan Ahead:

  • See who's scheduled for upcoming matches
  • Identify if someone is over/under-utilized
  • Make adjustments early

Historical Tracking:

  • See patterns in player participation
  • Identify most reliable players
  • Track changes over the season

Tips and Best Practices

For Team Captains

  1. Update Regularly: Check availability 2-3 days before each match
  2. Communicate: Share the team URL with players so they can see selections
  3. Be Fair: Use selection rates to ensure everyone gets playing time
  4. Plan Ahead: Make selections early to give players notice
  5. Double Check: Verify selections before match day

For Players

  1. Update Your Availability: Mark yourself available as soon as you know
  2. Be Honest: Only mark available if you can definitely play
  3. Check Selections: Look at the tracker to see if you're selected
  4. Communicate Changes: Tell your captain if your availability changes

Workflow Suggestions

Weekly Routine:

  1. Monday: Captain sends message asking for availability
  2. Tuesday-Wednesday: Players update their availability
  3. Thursday: Captain makes final selections
  4. Friday: Team is confirmed, everyone notified
  5. Match Day: Selections are locked (past fixture)

Season Start:

  1. Import team at the beginning of the season
  2. Share the team URL with all players
  3. Explain how the system works
  4. Encourage regular updates

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Cannot select player - player is not marked as available"

  • Cause: Trying to select a player who isn't marked as available
  • Solution: First check the availability box, then select the player

Selection button is grayed out

  • Cause: Not enough players available (need at least 3)
  • Solution: Mark more players as available first

Changes not saving

  • Cause: Network connection issue
  • Solution: Check your internet connection and try again
  • Note: Look for error messages at the top of the screen

Can't edit past fixtures

  • Cause: Past fixtures are read-only by default
  • Solution: Toggle "Edit Past Fixtures" mode ON

Player names are wrong

  • Cause: Names come directly from ELTTL website
  • Solution: Names need to be updated on the ELTTL website, then re-import your team

Missing fixtures

  • Cause: Fixtures come from ELTTL at import time
  • Solution: New fixtures added to ELTTL won't appear automatically
  • Note: Re-import your team to get new fixtures (existing data is preserved)

Getting Help

If you encounter an issue not covered here:

  1. Check the browser console for error messages (F12)
  2. Try refreshing the page
  3. Clear your browser cache
  4. Contact support with:
    • Your team URL
    • What you were trying to do
    • The error message you saw

FAQ

General Questions

Q: Can multiple people update availability at the same time?
A: Yes! Changes are saved immediately and shouldn't conflict.

Q: Is my data private?
A: Currently, anyone with the team URL can view the data. Authentication may be added in future versions.

Q: Can I use this on my phone?
A: Yes! The tracker is fully responsive and works on all devices.

Q: Does this integrate with the official ELTTL system?
A: No, this is an independent tool. It imports data from ELTTL but doesn't write back to it.

Data Questions

Q: How often should I re-import my team?
A: Only when new fixtures are added to ELTTL or player names change.

Q: What happens if I re-import?
A: Existing availability and selections are preserved. Only new data is added.

Q: Can I delete old data?
A: Currently no. All data is preserved for historical tracking.

Q: How far back does the data go?
A: All data from your import date onwards is stored indefinitely.

Selection Questions

Q: Can I select fewer than 3 players?
A: The system enforces exactly 3 players. If a player drops out last minute, you'll need to update the selection.

Q: What if a player drops out after selection?
A: Change the selection to include a different available player.

Q: Can I have a backup/substitute player?
A: Currently, only 3 players can be selected. Backup players should remain marked as available but not selected.

Q: Do I have to select players for past matches?
A: No, but it's useful for historical tracking and statistics.

Technical Questions

Q: Which browsers are supported?
A: Modern versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Q: Does this work offline?
A: No, an internet connection is required.

Q: Can I export the data?
A: Not yet, but CSV/PDF export is planned for future releases.

Q: Is there a mobile app?
A: Not yet, but the web version works great on mobile browsers.

Quick Reference Card

Import Team

  1. Click "Import New Team"
  2. Paste ELTTL URL
  3. Click "Import"

Mark Availability

  • ✅ Check box = available
  • ☐ Uncheck box = not available
  • Auto-saves on change

Select Final Team

  1. Mark 3+ players available
  2. Click "Select 3 Players"
  3. Choose 3 players
  4. Save selection

Edit Past Fixtures

  • Toggle "Edit Past Fixtures" ON
  • Make changes
  • Toggle OFF when done

View Statistics

  • Check player cards
  • Compare selection rates
  • Monitor participation

Need more help? Check the main documentation or contact support.

Version: 1.0.0
Last Updated: December 2025