In this guide
What a scrimmage is
A scrimmage is a practice game between two teams. It usually does not count toward league standings, so coaches use it to try a new lineup, give more players time on the field or court, or get a game in during an open weekend. A friendly is the same idea; many soccer and rugby clubs use that word instead.
How to schedule a scrimmage in five steps
Find an opponent of a similar age and level
Look for teams in the same age group and a similar level, within a drive your families will accept. A mismatch in either direction wastes the game for both teams. Find a team to play lists club teams by sport, age group and distance.
Offer two or three times, and say who can host
Send a short friendly invite with specific dates and times rather than "any weekend". Say whether you have a field, court or ice slot, or need the other team to host.
Agree the format and length
Decide the number of periods, their length, the team size (for example 7v7 or 9v9 in youth soccer) and whether you keep score. Write it down so both coaches plan the same game.
Settle officials and safety
Decide who arranges a referee or umpire, if you use one, and who provides first aid. Agree any contact or substitution rules for the age group.
Confirm it on both calendars
Once both coaches agree, put the game on each team's calendar with the time, the place and the opponent, and tell players and parents. If anything changes, tell both teams the same way.
How long is a scrimmage usually?
Most youth scrimmages run about the length of a regular game for that age group. Many coaches shorten the periods or add extra rotations so more players get time, and some split the slot into a short shared practice followed by a controlled game.
The slot often decides the length. A basketball gym, an ice sheet or a turf field booked for one hour means a game of roughly 45 to 50 minutes once you allow for warm-up and changeover. These are examples; agree your own times with the other coach.
Is a scrimmage a full game?
It can be. A scrimmage can be a full-length game under normal rules, or a shorter game with changes: unlimited substitutions, restarts from set positions, a running clock or no score kept. Because it usually does not count toward standings, both teams are free to change the format, as long as they agree before the game.
What to agree before a scrimmage
Agree these in writing
- Date, start time and the latest finish time.
- Who hosts, and the field, court or rink.
- Team size and format, and the length of each period.
- Whether you keep score, and whether results are shared.
- Rule changes: substitutions, restarts, contact rules for the age group.
- Who arranges officials, and who provides first aid.
- Who to contact on the day if the game is moved or canceled.
Common mistakes
- Agreeing "a game on Saturday" without a start time, a place or a format.
- Choosing an opponent by name only, without checking the age group and level.
- Telling your own team about a change and forgetting the other team.
- Keeping the details in a message thread that parents never see.
How Play 2 Earn Sports supports this
Game Hub is the scrimmage and friendly game finder on Play 2 Earn Sports. Clubs search teams by sport, age group, level and distance, send a friendly invite with the date, time and their own field, and once the other club accepts, the game goes on both team calendars. Players and parents get the time and place, and changes notify both teams. Game Hub is free for every club. Starter is free for clubs with up to 10 teams.
Looking for your next scrimmage?
Frequently asked questions
Find a team of a similar age and level within a reasonable drive, offer two or three specific times, agree the format, length and officials in writing, and put the game on both team calendars once it is confirmed.
Most youth scrimmages run about the length of a regular game for that age group, often with shorter periods or extra rotations. The booked slot usually sets the limit, so agree the length with the other coach.
It can be. A scrimmage is a practice game that usually does not count toward standings, so teams can play a full game or agree a shorter format with changed rules.
The date and time, who hosts and where, the team size and format, the length of each period, any rule changes, who arranges officials and first aid, and who to contact if the game changes.
Related pages
- Find a team to play: search teams looking for scrimmages and friendly games.
- Soccer teams looking for scrimmages
- Youth basketball teams looking for games
- Hockey teams looking for games
- Baseball teams looking for games
Explore the Play 2 Earn Sports scheduling platform, compare current plans and pricing, or request a scheduling demo.
