How to use
- 1Type or paste the player names, one name per line.
- 2Optionally add a skill level from 1 to 5 and a position tag after a comma (e.g. “Jack, 4, GK”).
- 3Choose “Number of teams” or “Players per team”, enter the number and tick the balancing options you want.
- 4Hit “Generate teams”; not happy? Click “Shuffle again”, then copy or share the result.
How the skill balancing works
With “Balance by skill level” switched on, players are sorted from strongest to weakest (players on the same level are shuffled among themselves) and each one goes to the team that currently has the fewest players and the lowest total skill. It works like a schoolyard snake draft, but because it looks at the running total rather than taking turns, the teams usually end up closer. Each team card shows its average skill, so you can see the gap at a glance and reshuffle if you want.
Keep goalkeepers and positions apart
The classic 5-a-side problem is both keepers landing on the same side. Tag your keepers with “GK” and keep “Spread each position evenly” ticked: tagged players are shared out across the teams first, then everyone else is filled in. Tags are free text, so you can spread anything – “DEF”, “FWD”, “NEW” for first-timers, or boys and girls in a mixed PE class.
Number of teams or players per team?
In “Number of teams” mode, 12 players split into 2 teams gives you two sides of 6. In “Players per team” mode, type 5 and the generator works out how many full teams it can make; anyone left over is added one by one to different teams. Your list and settings are saved in your browser, so next week’s Sunday kickabout only takes one click.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick fair teams for 5-a-side?
Give each player a 1–5 skill level, keep “Balance by skill level” ticked and tag your keepers “GK”. The generator keeps each team’s total skill as close as possible and spreads the keepers across the teams.
Do I get different teams every time?
Yes. Players on the same level are shuffled on every click, so “Shuffle again” gives you a new combination without undoing the balance.
Is my player list saved?
Names and settings are stored only in your own browser (localStorage). Nothing is sent to a server.
What if the players don’t divide evenly?
Team sizes never differ by more than one player – the extra players are added to different teams in turn.
Related guides
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