COMPETITIONS

KNOCKOUTS Simple format: 1 team plays another the winner goes on to the next round. Mainly played in rounds with teams or players seeded. Used in nearly all major sports and games.

Advantages / Disadvantages Quick and easy Allows for high numbers (half drop out each round) Lose you only play one game May need qualifying events or byes to get the right number to lose half each round.

LEAGUES Most common of all forms of competition. Teams or competitors playing each other, often twice in a season.

LEAGUES ADVANTAGES Can cater for large entry with several leagues Everyone has the same number of games Arrangements made in advance DISADVANTAGES Goes on for a long time Can take years to move up the leagues Fixture congestion at the end of the season.

LADDERS There is a set number of players or teams on a list or ‘ladder’. You challenge people above you and take their place if you win.

LADDERS ADVANTAGES Well suited to squash, badminton or tennis Very simple to run DISADVANTAGES Progress can be slow. Only suitable for a fairly small entry.

COMBINATION EVENTS Combine elements of some or all of the previous competitions. Qualifying competitions may be played in leagues and winners proceed to further leagues or the knock out stage.

COMBINATION EVENTS ADVANTAGES As many games as you like can be played Teams get more than one chance to qualify Allows for high number of teams DISADVANTAGES Long time to complete May be meaningless games where teams have already qualified.

FIFA WORLD CUP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification