Over the past couple years or so, we’ve released quite a few features in the mobile app that has greatly improved how teams communicate and interact. This has driven millions (yes, millions) of new users to the app and raised questions about how to properly set up accounts and use these new features. I’m going to outline common use cases and how to solve them in the SportsEngine account set up.

First, you need to understand that relationship between accounts and profiles. If you're a Netflix user, you'll probably recognize the setup.

• Accounts 
  An account is generally created by a parent. You use an email address to create the account and it’s how you log in to SportsEngine both on the web and in the mobile app. You manage your profiles (more on that in a minute), preference settings, access your calendars, and everything else you do with SportsEngine.
• Profiles 
  Think of these as “people.” - Each account has its own profile (you’ll sometimes see it referred to as a “self profile”) that has your information for when you are signing yourself up for something (as a coach, volunteer, manager, or as an athlete yourself). Accounts also create and manage profiles for each athlete/child. These profiles are used when you register a kid for your local club season or program and also are tied to teams when you get placed on a team.
• Guardians 
  For each profile in your account, you’re considered a “Guardian”. This relationship gives you the ability to create and receive messages for that athlete’s team, respond to RSVPs, participate in chat and anything else connected to your athlete’s team. As the Guardian, you can also connect other accounts to be guardians to your athletes. This allows multiple parents to receive messages, respond to RSVPS, and participate in chat.

Now that we have all of that established. Here are some common questions that come up and what you need to do to solve your challenges.