Aydın Tiryaki (2025)
8-TEAM LEAGUE SECOND HALF OPTIMIZATION
I. INTRODUCTION AND THE BASIS OF THE MODEL
The initial proposal for an 8-team league suggested a model with 4 groups of 2 teams each. While that model remains valid, this current proposal is simpler and more operationally efficient.
This algorithm is designed to transform the second half of an 8-team league into a “Final Marathon” once the first half of the season is completed. The model divides the teams into two primary blocks of four (A and B) based on their performance rankings at the end of the first half, and constructs the second half’s fixtures upon this real-time performance data.
II. INITIAL CONFIGURATION
Based on the standings at the end of the first half of the season, teams are divided into two operational blocks:
- Block A (Upper Division): Teams that finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the first round.
- Block B (Lower Division): Teams that finished 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th in the first round.
III. STAGE 1: INTER-BLOCK MATCHES (WEEKS 1-4)
During the first four weeks of the second phase, teams only compete against opponents from the opposite block. No team plays against an opponent from within their own block during this period.
- Week 1: A-B Cross Match (Set 1)
- Week 2: A-B Cross Match (Set 2)
- Week 3: A-B Cross Match (Set 3)
- Week 4: A-B Cross Match (Set 4)
Field Rule: Teams must adhere to Field Symmetry in the second half. Matches are played on the opposite venue of where they were played in the first half, regardless of the ranking.
IV. DYNAMIC RERANKING (END OF WEEK 4)
Before Week 5 begins, both blocks are re-ranked internally based on the current standings at the end of Week 4 of the second phase:
- A1-A4: Current performance ranking of the teams in the Upper Division.
- B1-B4: Current performance ranking of the teams in the Lower Division.
Importance: This ranking serves as the fairest “Dynamic Key” for the final weeks, as teams have not yet faced opponents within their own block during the second half of the season.
V. PHASE 2: INTRA-BLOCK SHOWDOWN AND FINAL (WEEKS 5-7)
Teams enter the final three-week period to face rivals within their respective blocks:
- Week 5:
- Group A: A1-A4, A2-A3
- Group B: B1-B4, B2-B3
- Week 6 (Critical Threshold):
- Group A: A1-A3 (Summit pursuit), A4-A2
- Group B: B2-B4 (Relegation zone tension), B1-B3
- Week 7 (FINAL WEEK):
- Group A: A1-A2 (Championship Match), A3-A4
- Group B: B3-B4 (Relegation Decider), B1-B2
VI. STRATEGIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE MODEL
- Rewarding Performance: Due to the re-ranking at the end of Week 4, the top performers (A1 and A2) are guaranteed to face each other in the final week for the championship.
- Tension Management: The A1-A3 and B2-B4 matches in Week 6 act as “preliminary finals” that set the stage for the final week.
- Fairness: By the end of this 7-week phase, every team has played all 7 league rivals, and the overall home-away symmetry is perfectly balanced.
10-TEAM LEAGUE MANAGEMENT ALGORITHM (2×5 STRUCTURE)
I. INTRODUCTION AND OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES
The DFM divides the second half of the league into two performance-oriented phases, eliminating the influence of draw-based luck. In this 10-team model, the goal is to maximize competition based on current form while maintaining calendar continuity through reserved matches.
Basic Parameters:
- Field Symmetry: All second-half games are the exact opposite venue selection of the first half.
- Block Stability: At the start of the second half, teams are assigned to Upper (A) and Lower (B) blocks based on first-half standings. These blocks remain fixed for the duration of the season.
- Algorithmic Match Pool: Matches between equivalents (e.g., A1-B1, A2-B2) that are not played in the cross-series are stored in a “Reserved Match Reservoir” based on performance ranking.
II. FIRST STAGE: CLASSIFICATION MARATHON (WEEKS 1-4)
Teams are divided into blocks based on their standings.
- Operation: Blocks A and B are cross-matched during the first four weeks.
- The Pool: Each team’s match against its equivalent from the opposite block (e.g., A1-B1) is NOT played during this phase and is kept in the pool as a “Reserved Week” match.
- Result: At the end of Week 4, points are totaled to create an updated group performance ranking for the Showdown Phase.
III. DYNAMIC REORGANIZATION AND Ay/By CODING
Standings at the end of Week 4 determine new performance identities: Ay1, Ay2, Ay3, Ay4, Ay5 and By1, By2, By3, By4, By5.
Matchmaking Constancy: Even if the performance codes (Ay/By) change, the opponents for the stored week remain fixed according to their first-round performance match. For example, if the 1st team (A1) becomes Ay2 after 4 weeks, it will still play its stored match against its original opponent (B1, the 5th team from the first round) waiting in the pool. This prevents any match from being played twice.
IV. SECOND STAGE: SHOWDOWN AND THE HIDDEN MATCH EXECUTION (WEEKS 5-9)
Teams play within their respective groups. During their weekly “Virtual Bye” slot, they execute their reserved matchups from the pool:
- Week 5: Teams A1 and B1 utilize their virtual free slot to play their assigned reserved match from the pool.
- Week 6: Teams A2 and B2 play their reserved matches.
- Week 7: Teams A5 and B5 play their reserved matches.
- Week 8: Teams A4 and B4 play their reserved matches.
- Week 9 (Closing): Teams A3 and B3 complete their reserved matches to conclude the schedule.
V. STRATEGIC FINAL AND JUSTICE (WEEK 9)
The Ay/By system ensures high-performing teams advance to meaningful finals in Week 9:
- Championship: Ay1 and Ay2 (the current top teams in Group A) face off in the final match.
- Relegation: By4 and By5 (the last two teams in Group B) play a decisive match within their block.
- Integrity: By incorporating postponed matches, no team remains idle, and everyone finishes the season with an equal match count.
VI. CONCLUSION
The 10-team DFM (2×5) algorithm offers a flawless model in sports management by rewarding success through performance data and ensuring mathematical fairness and competitive excitement.
Aydın Tiryaki
Ankara, December 22, 2025
Aydın Tiryaki 