What to expect at a FIRST Tech Challenge event

FIRST Tech Challenge season is here and now! Teams are building, programing, performing outreach, fundraising, and gearing up for an exciting event just around the corner. For many of our teams, this may be their first event. For Rookies (and even Veteran teams looking for a reminder) it is highly recommended to check out the Preparing for Competition Resources Page. This resource goes into great detail on:

·         Competition Preparation (Review our "How to Prep for and Event" article)

·         Inspection Process

·         Judging Process

However, as most experience event goers would say, "You truly will not understand until you go to your first, FIRST Tech Challenge event." In an effort to paint a better picture, here are some key areas and timelines most** events will cover.

·         Set-up, Pit Displays - Events can range from a single to multi-day extravaganzas. In each of these, what brings color and energy to the event are the teams themselves. Teams not only bring  the gear and tools they will need to compete during the event, but also a Pit Display that will show off their Team Spirit. Pit Displays vary in complexity, but must be contained within the 10x10x10 ft (3.048x3.048x3.048 m) of their Pit. NOTE: Pit size is determined by the event's venue. Check with your hosts to make sure what you have will fit into the size allotted, as some venues may have reduced pit sizes to accommodate the number of teams. Being mindful and gracious regarding space (especially space restrictions) help facilitate the spirit of FIRST Community.

Set up starts early, so make sure you note when you are allowed in the Pits to get set up and ready for the day. For some events, set-up can start the night before. If you are able to, take advantage of this early set-up time so you can start your day with everything already in place.
 

·         Inspection: Robot and Field - Before any team is able to actually compete in an event (at any level) inspection of the Robot and both its hardware as well as software must be conducted by Certified Volunteers. Make sure to your entire time has read Game Manual I for Robot and Tournament rules. To learn more about the role of Robot Inspector and review the Robot Inspector Checklist (what they are exactly looking for), check out our Volunteer Resources Page.

·         Judging - Judging occurs first thing in the morning at most events. Make sure you are aware of both your Inspection and Judge Interview times (as they may occur in a different order depending on the event). These roughly 15 minute interviews are when teams have their best opportunity to present their Robot, their team, their outreach efforts, and their team's journey throughout the season. This is often presented as a 10 minute presentation, with the Robot being present so teams can highlight what failed, what worked, and how they approached this year's challenge. Check out the Team Judging Self-Reflection Sheet when practicing for the interview. Make a note, Judges observe team's throughout the day, both asking follow-up questions in the Pits as well as observing Robot performance on the field and a team's Gracious Professionalism throughout the day.

·         Opening Ceremonies - Once all the Inspection and Judging Interviews have finished, Opening Ceremonies for the event occur. This is a grand start to the day, where the audience learns more about the challenge, we introduce our judges, volunteers and special guest speakers, and launch our first Qualifying Match.

·         Qualifying Matches - Teams compete throughout the day on alliances made up of another team against another alliance of two teams. These teams consist of two student drivers and a coach (who may be either an adult or fellow student). The alliances they compete with and against change throughout the day, giving opportunity for teams to learn about the strengths and weakness of other teams. Qualifying Points (QP) and Ranking Points (RP) are earned to determine team's ranks for Alliance Selection. Learn the details regarding game play and how QP and RP's are used for Alliance Selection in Game Manual 1. 

·         Alliance Selection - Depending on the size of the event, the top four to eight FIRST Tech Challenge Teams of the event, ranked using QP and RP points, will select their Alliance Partners for the Elimination Matches. 

·         Elimination Matches - These matches happen after Alliance Selection and between the top teams at the event. This determines which two alliances will compete in the Finals.

·         Finals - The top two alliances, as determined from the Elimination Matches, compete for best 2 out of 3 matches to find the overall Winning Alliance of the event.

·         Closing Ceremonies - The day finishes with a Closing Ceremony of the event. Here, the Winning, Finalist Alliances as well as all Judged Awards are recognized. Often times, if this an event where team's advance from, those teams are also announced.

This is just a highlight of what to expect at an event. The excitement, energy and  Other than attending your very first event, look to see if you and your team could potentially volunteer at an earlier event. Consider talking to nearby teams or reaching out through Social Media. Regardless of where you look to help better prepare for you event, we wish you the best of luck at all your events to come!

**This represents what happens at most events in FIRST Tech Challenge. In the League Model of play, meets are held, where teams must participate at least three meet events before attending the League Championship (which follows the above outline). The meets are game play only, with no Judged Award component. Teams' Qualifying and Ranking points are carried with them throughout their League Meets and best ten matches are used to determine ranking for the League Championship.