Banning a player is the "nuclear option" of server moderation. It’s usually the final step when someone repeatedly breaks the rules or tries to ruin the fun for everyone else. Here’s a quick guide on how to handle bans and, more importantly, how to handle the appeals that follow.

1. The Two Types of Bans

The Standard Ban: This blocks a specific Minecraft username (or UUID). If the player tries to join from that account, they’re blocked.
The IP Ban: This blocks the player's entire internet connection. It’s much harder to bypass, but be careful, as it can accidentally block other innocent players if they happen to live in the same house or use the same public Wi-Fi.

2. Essential Commands

You’ll run these directly in your Console:

ban <player> [reason]: Bans the player. Always include a reason so they know why they were kicked!
pardon <player>: The official way to unban someone.
ban-ip <player/IP>: Blocks the IP address.
pardon-ip <player/IP>: Unblocks the IP address.
banlist: Shows you the "Wall of Shame": every player currently blocked from your world.

3. Better Ban Management

If you're running a busy server, the built-in Minecraft commands are a bit basic. We recommend a plugin like AdvancedBans. It adds features like:

Temporary Bans: /tempban <player> 3d [reason] (great for "cool down" periods).
Ban History: See if a player has been a troublemaker in the past.
Warnings: Give players a "strike" before you pull the trigger on a ban.

4. Handling Appeals

Everyone deserves a second chance (sometimes). If you want to let players plead their case:

Set an Appeal Link: When you ban someone, include a link in the reason: /ban <player> Griefing. Appeal at discord.gg/yourserver.
Review the Proof: Check your CoreProtect logs to see if their story matches the data.
Pardon: If you’re feeling merciful, use pardon <player> to let them back in.

The best way to avoid bans is to have clear, fair Server Rules that everyone can see the moment they join.