Scrims - Practice Matches Between Teams

Scrims (short for scrimmages) are practice matches between two teams on HubMatch. They let you test strategies, build chemistry with your roster, warm up before tournaments, or simply get competitive reps in a low-stakes environment. Scrims track results and stats, but affect your team's Tournament ELO at a reduced weight (60% of normal), so there is less pressure than official competition.

How to Find a Scrim

The main tool for finding scrims is the LFS (Looking For Scrim) board. Only team captains can create LFS listings. To post one, you select a date, a time window (e.g. 20:00-22:00), a game mode (5v5 or 3v3), and a series format (BO1 through BO7). You can also add a note describing what you want to practice, like "Working on set pieces, looking for a strong defensive team."

Other teams browse the LFS board and can filter by time, game mode, and format. When a captain sees a listing that fits, they click Accept on an available time slot and a Series is created immediately - no approval step needed from the posting team. It is first-come, first-served.

The Time Slot System

A single LFS post covers a time window, and the system automatically divides it into slots based on the series format. For example, a BO3 listing from 20:00 to 22:00 produces four 30-minute slots. Each slot can be accepted by a different team, and the same team can take multiple slots for an extended practice session. The listing stays active until all slots are filled or the time window expires.

Slot durations are calculated from match length estimates: BO1 = 15 minutes, BO3 = 30 minutes, BO5 = 45 minutes, BO7 = 60 minutes.

Auto-Matching

You do not always need to browse and accept manually. If two teams post scrim listings for the same time slot with matching format and ELO range, the system automatically pairs them and creates a Series. No captain approval is needed - both teams are simply notified. When multiple candidates overlap, the system prioritizes the most constrained team (the one with fewer matching slot options) to ensure fair distribution.

This means you can create an LFS listing before dinner, and by the time you come back, you might already have a scrim lined up.

After the Match - Scrim Ratings

Once a scrim series is completed, each captain can rate the opposing team on a 1-to-5 star scale. This rating is optional but encouraged. It is per-team, not per-player, and cannot be edited after submission. The 24-hour window gives you time to reflect.

A team's average scrim rating appears on their profile and on LFS browse cards, helping other teams decide who to practice against. Teams that show up on time, play fair, and communicate well tend to earn higher ratings.

Cancellation Rules

You can cancel a scrim freely as long as the match is still scheduled and no player has checked in. Once any check-in exists, auto-cancellation is blocked - the match appears in the Attention Required section of your dashboard instead, so captains must handle it manually. If the match is already in progress (or results have been submitted), cancellation is not possible; you would need to forfeit instead.

Who Can Scrim

Only team captains can create LFS listings. Your team must meet the minimum roster for the selected format: 5 players for 5v5, 3 players for 3v3. Listings can only be created for future times - you cannot retroactively schedule a scrim.

Scrims are a core part of competitive growth on HubMatch. Regular practice against varied opponents is the fastest way to improve as a team.