🎉 Early Access Available
With the Flexible Online Booking update, the Resource Blocking Rules experience has been redesigned. Blocking rules are still managed directly within each Resource on the new Resources page.
If your organization does not have Early Access, please continue using the Legacy Resource Blocking Rules article linked below, which reflects the current version you see in Dash.
If you would like to be considered for beta testing of this new feature, fill out the form linked in the main article below.
📝 Overview
Blocking rules allow you to define complex relationships between your resources, beyond the standard resource and sub-resource setup. These rules help ensure that when one resource is booked, other related resources are automatically blocked from being scheduled on at the same time.
Additionally, depending on your desired end-state for Online Booking, you can utilize Blocking Rules to support more complex configurations.
⚠️ Avoid Duplicate Rules
Blocking rules are bi-directional, so you only need to create one rule per resource pair.
The new Blocking Rules section will not allow you to create duplicate rules.
🛠️ Setup
Click the arrow to learn how to create and apply blocking rules
Click the arrow to learn how to create and apply blocking rules
📣 Need to set up a Resource first?
Blocking rules only apply to resources that have already been created. If you’re not sure how to create one, check out our Resources article for step-by-step setup instructions.
Access the Resources Page
In the global search box, type "Resources" and select it.
OR, from the top navigation bar, go to "Calendar" and then click on "Resources".
Select a Resource
From the Resource Management page, find and select the resource you want to add blocking rules to.
Click on Blocking Rules on the left-hand side of the page.
Click on the "Add Blocking Rule" button to create a new Blocking Rule
Select which resource or sub-resource the new blocking rule is for.
Understand Bi-Directional Blocking
Blocking rules work in both directions (bi-directional).
Example: If Entire Facility blocks Field 1, then Field 1 will also block Entire Facility automatically.
Set Up Blocking Rules for Entire Resources
If you want to block an entire facility when one field is booked, set rules like:
Entire Facility blocks Field 1
Entire Facility blocks Field 2
(Repeat as needed for other fields)
Once set up, booking the whole facility will automatically block all sub-resources.
Set Up Blocking Rules for Sub-Resources (if needed)
If a playing surface is rented as half-fields or quarter-fields, configure blocking rules accordingly:
Field 1 (Half Field 1) blocks Field 1 (Quarter Field A)
Field 1 (Half Field 1) blocks Field 1 (Quarter Field B)
Field 1 (Half Field 1) blocks Field 1 (entire resource)
Field 1 (Quarter Field A) blocks Field 1 (Half Field 1)
Field 1 (Quarter Field A) blocks Field 1 (entire resource)
Field 1 (Quarter Field B) blocks Field 1 (Half Field 1)
Field 1 (Quarter Field B) blocks Field 1 (entire resource)
💡 Important Behavior to Note
If you create blocking rules between two resources that each have their own sub-resources, events scheduled on a sub-resource will not block the full paired resource.
By following these steps, you can ensure smooth scheduling and avoid conflicts when booking resources.
💡 Pro Tips
⚠️ Start simple - Create blocking rules at the highest level first (like Entire Facility) before adding more detailed sub-resource rules.
🧠 Think in layers - Use sub-resource blocking if you rent out portions of a space (e.g., quarters of a field).
💬 Use naming conventions - Clear naming of your sub-resources makes creating and reviewing rules much easier.
⛔️ Don't rely on visual hierarchy - Blocking rules define logic—not just display structure. Always double-check relationships.
📌 Review the Blocking Summary View - After creating your rules, use the summary to see how everything connects—including pass-throughs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click the arrow to view frequently asked questions
Click the arrow to view frequently asked questions
Do I need to create blocking rules in both directions?
Click the arrow to see the answer
Click the arrow to see the answer
No. Blocking rules are bi-directional. Adding a rule from Resource A to Resource B will also block Resource B when A is booked.
Why doesn’t blocking a sub-resource prevent another resource from being scheduled?
Click the arrow to see the answer
Click the arrow to see the answer
Blocking only applies at the level it’s created. If two top-level resources are blocked from each other, blocking doesn't automatically extend to their sub-resources.
How do I know if my blocking rules are working correctly?
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Click the arrow to see the answer
Use the Blocking Summary Review on the Blocking Rules tab. It shows all direct and pass-through rules. To test if your blocking rules are working when it comes to online booking, consider testing it out from the member online experience, and then checking your calendar, or vice versa.
Can I block just part of a resource (like one side of a court)?
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Click the arrow to see the answer
Yes. You can block at any sub-resource level, such as halves or quarters of a space.