Blackout Dates, Field Times, and Backup Options

Schedule Builder works best when Bravara knows three things clearly: days to avoid, when each field or court is open, and what backup choices are allowed if the normal schedule is too tight.

Blackout dates

A blackout date is a date or date range when games should not be placed. Use blackout dates for holidays, picture day, school events, tournaments, facility work, or any day your league does not want games.

To add season-wide blackout dates:

1. Open Schedule in the left navigation.
2. Click Schedule Builder.
3. In the step list, click Blackout Dates.
4. Click Add blackout dates.
5. Enter the start and end dates, then continue through the setup.

If different divisions need different blackout dates, turn on the division-specific option on the Blackout Dates step and add the dates under the right division.

Venue and field times

A venue is the place, such as a park, school, or gym. A space is the exact field, court, or room where a game can happen.

To check field or court times:

1. Open Schedule Builder.
2. Click the Venues & Spaces step.
3. Open the venue card.
4. Review each field, court, or space listed inside it.
5. Make sure the correct divisions can use that space and the open times match the real facility schedule.

If a venue has its own closure dates, use the Blackout dates area inside that venue card and click + Add blackout. Use this for field maintenance, a reserved tournament, or a school event at one facility.

Backup options

The Overflow step means: what is Bravara allowed to try if the normal setup does not leave enough time for every game?

Examples include using a backup field, adding an extra weekday, allowing a slightly later start time, or letting some weeks have more games than others.

Only turn on backup options your league would actually accept. If Friday nights are impossible, leave that backup choice off. If a practice field can be used for games only in an emergency, turn it on and review the results carefully.

Simple rule of thumb

If Schedule Builder cannot fit the season, first add real playable time. That usually means more dates, more start times, more spaces, or fewer blackout dates. Use backup options after the normal setup is accurate.