- THE DEAN
WELCOME TO SCHOOL OF SOCCER!
Welcome to the School of Soccer! This website is the culmination of years (2) of co-running the original PICK 'EM contest, and will serve both as a platform for the ever expanding league as well as a place to get your soccer info.
First off, PICK 'EM. There isn't too much change in the way that the PICK 'EM game will function. But let's go over how all this works step-by-step for Scott since this soccer thing doesn't seem to come naturally to him.
1. YOU NEED TO REGISTER!
Before you do anything else, besides read the rest of these instructions (don't go away Chip), scroll down on the School of Soccer (SOS) Home Page and complete this form:

Now that I have all of your personal information, let's continue.
2. YOU NEED TO PAY
To ease the payment process ($40), we will now be using the site LEAGUESAFE. This site collects the money and places a hold on it until the end of the season. Makes it easier on everyone. To pay for the season just CLICK HERE or go to the SOS homepage and in the top corner you'll see:

Once you have gotten to the LEAGUESAFE site, create an account and pay for the league. If you have any questions just email theschoolofsoccer@gmail.com and I can help you out. The payment deadline is 8/26/2016. Note the year Spinelli! It nearly got ugly this summer.
Once you have registered and paid you are all set. I know it was only two steps but I have to make sure everyone (Chase) can keep up.
Now onto PICK 'EM and the rest of SOS.
Now, for those of you who are new to PICK 'EM, or apparently didn't understand how to score points (Scott), we will go over how it works.
First, you will go to PICK 'EM on the SOS homepage. (BELOW)

Then, just simply fill out the ENTIRE form on the page.

The home team is always listed first and games are listed by kick off times. PICKS ARE DUE BY KICK OFF OF THAT GAME. Although it certainly makes it easier if you put in all your picks before the week kicks off (and as you will see there is some value to it).
Ok, now I am registered, paid, and made my picks, now what?
Alright, alright...when the first game kicks off, all of that weeks picks will show up on the SOS main page. As games are completed scores will be tallied based on the results. Scoring is as follows:
Result CORRECT 3 points
Result EXACT: 4 points
Match of the Week CORRECT: 6 points
Match of the Week EXACT: 8 points
Weekly Winner: 10 points
WOAH!? What the hell is Match of the Week? (MOW)
Each week, one game will be designated MOW. This designation can be given for (but not limited to) the following reasons: difficulty in choosing an outcome, personal or professional happenings in the world, I feel like it, or any other explanation that may arise. Deal with it.
If you get this match correct (EX: you pick 2-1, it ends 3-0) you will score 6 points. Get it EXACTLY RIGHT (EX: you pick 2-2 and it ends 2-2) and you earn 8 points.
Ok. Now once the last game ends, the scores will be totaled and the winner of the week will be awarded an extra 10 points. If the case of any ties the following tie breakers will be used in the following order:
1. Match of the Week Pick
2. Most matches exactly right
3. First person who submitted ALL that weeks picks
The season begins in mid-August and continues until mid-May. At the conclusion of the 38 week season the person with the most points will be declared the winner. Pretty simple!
The season long tiebreakers are:
1. Most weeks won during the season
2. Most MOW EXACT
3. Most MOW CORRECT
4. Most OVERALL EXACT
Between now and then there will be a 'LIVE' leaderboard on the SOS front page. It will be located right by the comment board. I expect you to openly offend each other both as individuals and fans.
WHAT IF I DON'T WIN THE SEASON? IS THERE A CHANCE I CAN AT LEAST BREAK EVEN??
Yes.
There are only 2, calm down.
1. Boxing Day
The day after Christmas the Premier League gives us the greatest gift of all when all 20 teams play. The winner of the Boxing Day competition will win $5 from each entry fee, with the total TBD. The more players, the more money you make, so go recruit some suckers! You get it at the end of the season when the overall winner does.
2. Match of the Week
At the end of the season, the person who has accumulated the most points on Match of the Week picks will win their $40 back.
SO THE PAYOUTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Match of the Week: $40
Boxing Day: $5 from each player, TOTAL TBD
Season Long Winner: EVERYTHING ELSE!
Well, that just about covers PICK 'EM, what's the rest of the site for??
Besides being able to log onto the site to enter your picks (check out the mobile site, it's fantastic and the picks work) The School of Soccer will be a place to read some writings from some people I know mixed in with a bunch of good links to people who know way more than anyone I know personally. Generally, if you are trying to get into the sport a little bit more I am trying to help you out. I'll post some historical stuff so newbies can learn about the history of the league and individual teams, and put my own thoughts down for you to peruse as well.
Most importantly, I would greatly appreciate you passing the website along to anyone who may be interested, whethere they want to play PICK 'EM or not. (Although we would happily accept their $40.
I'm excited to grow our league some more and hopefully create a hub of soccer info and chatter.
So Register, pay, make your picks then recruits some more people to play!! (We will let people join until week 2 kickoff with their week 2 picks counting twice). If you have any questions email me at theschoolofsoccer@gmail.com.
I leave you with a review of last season to wet your appetite! COYT!!
The Dean