How to split a team into squads on a voice call and bring them back
You know the scene. Before a tournament or an evening session the whole clan piles into one call. Twenty people, everyone talking at once, the captain trying to explain the plan while each squad needs to sort out its own. Usually what follows is "make your own call" and "drop the link in the chat", and half the people get lost. It is much simpler when squads are built into the call itself: briefing, squads, debrief, all on one link. Here is how to do it on Joyin.
The flow: briefing, squads, debrief
A typical team evening goes like this:
- Briefing. Everyone in one room. The captain shares a screen with the map or the strategy and explains the plan.
- Squads. The team splits into squads of 2, 3, 4 or 5. Each squad has its own voice and chat, so nobody talks over the neighbours.
- Captain on call. The captain drops into any squad, listens, gives advice and leaves. A squad can also call the captain with a button.
- Debrief. When the timer ends, or with one button, everyone returns to the main room to go over the game.
The same flow works for practice sessions, scrims, recruiting new members and streamer communities.
How to do it on Joyin
Create a meeting: one button on joyin.work and the link is ready. Post it in your clan chat. Nothing to install: the call opens in a browser on a computer or phone, and cameras can stay off.
Once everyone is in, the captain taps Groups:
- chooses how many people per squad or how many squads;
- splits at random (handy for practice matches) or by hand if the line-ups are set;
- renames the groups: "Squad A", "Squad B", "Bench";
- optionally writes a task and sets a timer;
- sends everyone to their squads.
If you want players to choose their own squad, turn on "Participants can choose a group themselves". The main room then shows a list of squads and everyone moves where they want.
What a squad and the captain get
Each squad gets:
- its own voice channel: squads cannot hear each other;
- its own chat that only squad members can see;
- a "Call the host" button: the captain sees the signal right away;
- a timer and a one-minute warning before returning, if the timer is on.
The captain gets:
- a panel showing who is in which squad;
- a way into any squad and back out;
- an announcement to all squads at once: "everyone back in two minutes, we are starting";
- "Bring everyone back" with one button.
Fixed line-ups: one click instead of a roll call
If your squads stay the same from game to game, set them up once and tap "Save set", for example "Main and bench". Next time the captain starts it from "From a set" in one click. It works best with a permanent clan room at an address like joyin.work/clan/lobby that does not change for months. Players in a set are matched by account, so anyone you want to keep in the line-up should sign in once with Google or Apple.
Captain ranks
Hosts earn ranks for the meetings they run: Rookie, Connector, Talkmate, Orator, Room Captain, Maestro and Joyin Legend. The rank badge shows on the avatar and on the video tile in the meeting, so the squad can see at a glance who is the veteran captain. Ranks count for signed-in hosts: regular meetings longer than three minutes with at least two people.
Good to know, honestly
- Groups work in the browser. Players who joined through the Joyin mobile app stay in the main room for now. For a squad night, join by link from the browser.
- Playing on a phone? Keep the call on a second device, a computer or another phone. A mobile browser in the background may mute the microphone when you switch to the game.
- Connection. Media runs through servers in Germany, so for a squad anywhere in Europe the route is short. If audio still breaks up, see camera or microphone not working.
- Recording covers the main room only; squad conversations are not recorded.
- No time limit: keep it going all evening. Free Zoom would end the call, squads included, after 40 minutes.
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Squads, like the whole meeting, have no time limit and no plans.
How many people fit?
Up to 100 participants per meeting and up to 20 groups.
Does everyone need an account?
No. A player opens the link, types a nickname and is in. The captain needs an account for a permanent room and saved line-ups, and players only if you want to keep them in a saved line-up.
Can I share a screen with the map?
Yes, screen sharing works from a browser on a computer. How browser calls work in general: browser video call with no download.
Get your clan together tonight: create a meeting, post the link in the chat and tap Groups once everyone is in. Everything about squads and groups is on the Joyin breakout rooms page.
