> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.framesports.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Player identifiers

> How to keep two players with the same name from being mixed up.

## Why player identifiers matter

Framesports links each player's clips, stats and notifications to their name. If two different people share the same name (for example two players called "John Smith" in your account), their data can end up mixed together.

A **player identifier** keeps them apart. It is a short piece of information that is unique to one player, so Framesports always knows which person you mean.

## When you are asked for one

When you add a player whose name closely matches someone already on your account, Framesports asks whether it is the same person:

* If it **is** the same person, choose the existing player and the jersey is linked to them.
* If it is a **different** person, you give each of the two players an identifier so they stay separate and are never merged by mistake.

## What to enter

Enter something that is unique to the player across your whole account. In order of preference:

1. **Email address** — the player's, or a parent or guardian's for junior players.
2. **Phone number** — theirs or a guardian's.
3. **ID number** — for example a national ID or passport number.
4. **Player registration number** — their union or Rugby Xplorer registration number.

Do not use something many players share, such as a position, a squad or a jersey number. Those do not tell two players apart.

<Note>Each identifier must be unique within your account. If you enter one that another player with the same name already uses, you are asked to enter a different one.</Note>

## Telling two players apart

The quickest way to recognise which player is which is by sight, not by spelling:

* **Profile photo** — add a photo to each player who shares a name. A face is the clearest way to tell two players apart at a glance, so it is worth doing for any duplicate.
* **Recent sessions** — when Framesports shows you a possible duplicate, it lists that player's most recent sessions. If one "John Smith" last played against the Falcons and the other against the Lions, you know which is which.

## Where the identifier appears

The identifier is saved on the player and shown wherever that player appears, not only on the session you added them to. You can change it later from the player's profile.

## Related

* [Finding and merging duplicate players](/players/introduction)