> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podplay.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podplay.app/coaches/set-ball-machine-as-coach.md).

# Ball Machines

### Customer Books a Ball Machine

Customers can book a Ball Machine during the Reservation booking flow. For a Customer to reserve, they can:

* Go to the Book tab of the App
* Select a preferred day and time
* Land on the Order Summary page
* Choose to add a Ball Machine
* Complete the booking

{% @supademo/embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmp4ppxjk0mpwc0qmp55wwrcq>" demoId="cmp4ppxjk0mpwc0qmp55wwrcq" %}

### How to Set Up a Ball Machine as a Coach

Ball Machines are configured using the Coach feature. A dedicated Front Desk Profile is given the Coach role with the Ball Machine toggle enabled, so Customers can book the machine like any other Coach Reservation while Front Desk staff manage the bookings on its behalf.

#### **1. Create a Front Desk Profile with a general Club email**

Use a general Club email like `info@clubname.com` for the Ball Machine Profile so multiple Club employees can monitor incoming Customer requests. Keep this email signed in on the Front Desk computer so any Front Desk employee can monitor and manage lesson requests. If a general Club email isn't available, use a `+` variant on an existing address (e.g. `info`**`+ballmachine`**`@clubname.com`). The address continues to receive all email while being treated by the system as a separate Profile.

#### **2. Rename the Profile**

Update the Profile name to:

* First name: Front Desk
* Last name: Ball Machine

#### **3. Provide the Coach role to the Ball Machine Profile**

* Turn on the Coach role toggle

<figure><img src="/files/5A4LAxFdmMp8Gxxhj9GN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **4. Turn on the Ball Machine toggle**

* Go to the Coach page
* Open the Coach settings for the Ball Machine
* Expand the Coach Details drawer
* Flick on the `Ball Machine` toggle

<figure><img src="/files/IzJwAf41BBAXGdxZMWv7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This tells the system that the Profile represents a Ball Machine rather than a human Coach.

#### **4. Set the hourly rate and availability**

* Set the desired hourly rate for using the Ball Machine ([Coach Rate](https://podplay.gitbook.io/docs/coaches/coach-setup-and-profile/how-does-a-coach-set-up-their-profile#coach-rate))
* Add public availability so the machine appears as bookable during the desired hours ([Weekly Availability](https://podplay.gitbook.io/docs/coaches/coach-setup-and-profile/how-does-a-coach-set-up-their-profile#weekly-availability) and [Public Availability](https://podplay.gitbook.io/docs/coaches/set-up-a-coach-profile/public-availability))

#### **5. Monitor and accept Customer Reservations**

When a Customer books the Ball Machine Coach, a Front Desk employee accepts the Reservation on behalf of the Coach Profile from the shared Club email inbox.

### Verify It Worked

If you set up the Ball Machine correctly, you will see the Ball Machine Profile appear as an add-on option during the Reservation booking flow

#### Common Issues

* **Ball Machine doesn't appear bookable:** Confirm Public Availability is set and that the Ball Machine toggle is on inside Coach Details.
* **Multiple Ball Machines at one Club:** Create a separate Profile per machine using distinct `+` variants of the same Club email so each machine can carry its own hourly rate and availability.


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