Repeating task within an if statement.

Ok, so I've got the basic understanding of how to use a repeating task. However, I'm having an issue when I try to place it inside of an if statement. Okay, so here is my code:

Code:java

int players = 2; boolean gameStart = false; int timer = 30;
 
if(players > 1){
int countDown = this.getServer().getScheduler().scheduleSyncRepeatingTask(this, new Runnable(){
public void run(){
if(timer != -1){
if(timer != 0){
Bukkit.broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.GOLD + "" + ChatColor.BOLD + " " + timer);
timer--;
}else{
Bukkit.broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.GREEN + "" + ChatColor.BOLD + " " + "GO!");
timer--;
gameStart = true;
}
}
}
}, 0L, 20L);
}
if(gameStart){
Bukkit.getServer().getScheduler().cancelTask(countDown);

Okay, so the goal is to only run the countdown if there is more than 1 player. The problem is that the variable "countDown" is not accessible when the task is inside of an if statement. It works when I remove the if statement, but then it'll start regardless of how many players there are, which I do not want. Keep in mind this is not my full code. Also, some of the variables, such as timer and players are actually in a different location, but I am showing you them so you know how they are used, I suppose. I can show more if need be, but this should suffice for now. I appreciate all help, thank you.

P.S. Bonus points(a like) for whomever can tell me how I can make it so that when a player leaves, the timer cancels and the game doesn't start. Screw it... Here's some more code, lol:

Code:java

int players = 0; boolean gameStart;int num = 0;int timer = 30;
 
@EventHandler
public void onClick(PlayerInteractEvent e){
ArrayList<Player> pList = new ArrayList<Player>();
Player p = e.getPlayer();
World world = e.getPlayer().getWorld();
Location queueSpawn = new Location(world, 100, 100, 100);
Location gameSpawn = new Location(world, 100, 99, 65);
ScoreboardManager manager = Bukkit.getScoreboardManager();
Scoreboard board = manager.getNewScoreboard();
if (e.getAction().equals(Action.RIGHT_CLICK_BLOCK)) {
if (e.getClickedBlock().getType() == Material.QUARTZ_ORE){
if(players > 8){
e.getPlayer().teleport(world.getSpawnLocation());
e.getPlayer().sendMessage(ChatColor.RED + "This game is full, sorry!");
}else{
p.teleport(queueSpawn);
players += 1;
pList.add(p);
num++;
getServer().broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.LIGHT_PURPLE + e.getPlayer().getName() + ChatColor.GREEN + " has joined the game!");
getServer().broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.GREEN + "There are now " + ChatColor.BOLD + ChatColor.GOLD + players + ChatColor.RESET + ChatColor.GREEN + " players");
}
}
}
if (e.getAction().equals(Action.RIGHT_CLICK_BLOCK)){
if (e.getClickedBlock().getType() == Material.IRON_BLOCK){
players -= 1;
pList.remove(p);
p.teleport(world.getSpawnLocation());
getServer().broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.LIGHT_PURPLE + e.getPlayer().getName() + ChatColor.GREEN + " has left the game.");
getServer().broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.GREEN + "There are now " + ChatColor.BOLD + ChatColor.GOLD + players + ChatColor.RESET + ChatColor.GREEN + " players");
}
}
int countDown = this.getServer().getScheduler().scheduleSyncRepeatingTask(this, new Runnable(){
public void run(){
if(timer != -1){
if(timer != 0){
Bukkit.broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.GOLD + "" + ChatColor.BOLD + " " + timer);
timer--;
}else{
Bukkit.broadcastMessage(ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "[" + ChatColor.GOLD + "CF" + ChatColor.DARK_BLUE + "]" + ChatColor.GREEN + "" + ChatColor.BOLD + " " + "GO!");
timer--;
gameStart = true;
}
}
}
}, 0L, 20L);
if(gameStart){
Bukkit.getServer().getScheduler().cancelTask(countDown);
int arraySize = pList.size();
int teamNum = 0;
Team red = board.registerNewTeam("Red");
Team blue = board.registerNewTeam("Blue");
while(arraySize != 0){
if(teamNum == 0){
red.addPlayer(pList.get(arraySize));
teamNum++;
arraySize--;
}else if(teamNum == 1){
blue.addPlayer(pList.get(arraySize));
teamNum--;
arraySize--;
}
}
}

Really, I just want to know if I'm going about this the right way, cause I'm getting a sort of 'stuck' feeling. :3

EDIT: When I run my plugin, the timer counts infinitely down and it doesn't execute code from the gameStart area. Why is this? I tried to stop it, but it's not working. Any ideas why? Thanks again.
DOUBLE EDIT: The statements in above edit with a strike through it no longer apply. I have fixed that issue and changed the above code accordingly; I had a squiggly bracket in the wrong place.

Anyone? I could really use some help. I'm confused as to why I cannot use the task within an if statement.

EDIT by Moderator: merged posts, please use the edit button instead of double posting.