A Special Note to Rookie Teams

Don't be nervous! There are teams at all different levels at the tournaments -- the hardest part is getting there. Most rookie teams are nervous that they're not ready, and many consider not attending a tournament. We receive a lot of notes that say, "We're using this as a practice year. We'll be ready for a tournament next year." Don't do it! Tournaments are a great learning experience and generally the highlight of the season for teams. 

What you need:

• Spectators! A poster for the event is attached. Please invite everyone you can to come see what FIRST is all about. Best time for Spectators is from 12:30-3.
• Team Supplies:
  • robot, download cord, charger, etc
  • supplies/props for project performance including connectors for a projector if you’re going to use one.
  • games/books/puzzles just in case the kids need a break from robotics at any point
• Consent forms for all team members and coaches attending the tournament.
• Signs and decorations for your pit table. Make your table memorable! Teams often bring posters, models, costumes -- be creative. Our spectators/parents/teams will spend most of their time in the pit -- give them something to look at!
• FOOD & DRINK! It is a long day. Please make sure that your team has what they need to make it through the day.
• A Watch! It will help you help us keep the tournament running on time.

What we need:

• VOLUNTEERS! There are usually parents that show up on tournament day and didn’t even know that volunteering was an option. PLEASE direct parents, coworkers, friends and family to the volunteer page to learn more!
• Practice Field Sets and Tables – THANKS to the coaches that have volunteered to bring tables and field sets. You guys are awesome! Please note that the tables in the practice area are loaned out by teams. Please make sure that your team treats the practice tables with great care. Also, PLEASE practice your sharing skills at the practice tables. Be polite and make sure you're not taking over a table for more than 4/5 minutes.

 AN OVERVIEW OF THE DAY (Please note that times are a general approximation and may vary from tournament to tournament. A detailed schedule for your tournament will be mailed about approximately two weeks prior to the event.)

Morning Sessions: (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Judging Sessions – Please get to each of your judging sessions and check-in with Norma at least 5 minutes before that session is scheduled to begin.  Remember, your team has five minutes for their presentation including set up time.  In order to keep the tournament on schedule, we need to minimize transition time. One adult will be allowed in the room for the presentations and can video the presentation. We recommend that you check-in with the team about whether or not that adult should be the coach. Whoever it is -- there is no talking, motioning etc allowed from the adult. No adults are allowed in the teamwork session. Teams will receive their rubrics and comments from the judges at the end of the day -- be sure to pick them up from the registration table after the awards ceremony!

Robot Matches – Your first robot match (practice round) in the morning is intended to get your team used to the competition area, queuing process and acquainted with the referees.  The referees will go through and score the match to make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding rules and the latest Q&As.  These scores will not be tallied and will not count towards the tournament results.  This is the appropriate time for your teams to ask questions about rules and scoring.

Opening Ceremony: (12:30 PM -12:40 PM)

All teams should be in the auditorium WITH their robots for the first round of matches. There will be a very quick kick off starting promptly at 12:30 (they’ll start herding you in at 12:20) leading directly into the first official matches of the day. This is when we want energy HIGH and cheering INTENSE.

Afternoon Matches: (12:40 PM – 3:00 PM-ish)

During Official Rounds, referees will score each match at the end of the 2:30 minutes and ask teams to review the score before sending the score sheet to the scorekeeper.  Once a team leaves the competition table, scores are non-negotiable.  Any disputes at the table will be settled by the Head Ref, Dave Patterson. This year, the official rounds are held in very quick succession in the afternoon. Times on the schedule will be approximate. The order of matches is more important. There will be a 10-20-minute break between each round (depending on how quickly the rounds finish). I know that teams will have tweaks and adjustments for their robots between matches, but as much as possible, I hope that you can all gather in the auditorium to cheer each other on during the official robot matches!!!

Project Presentations & Expo Playoff Round (3:40-4:00)

We're taking a tip from the folks up in Bethel and adding something new to this year's competition! After the morning judging sessions, our project judges will randomly select two teams from the top presentations that they see. Those two teams will be invited to present their projects on the competition floor at 3:40 PM so that teams that can see examples of great presentations. There will also be a quick playoff round between the top performing robots of the day. Please note that the expo playoff round is just for fun! We expect ALL of the teams to be in the stands to watch this!!! It is meant to give all of the teams an opportunity to see the highest scoring teams in action, cheer them on and learn from their success. The robot performance award will still be awarded to the team with the highest single score during the 3 official matches, regardless of scores in the playoff round.

Awards Ceremony (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

Please make sure that your team sits together.  The entire team will be invited down to receive their medals and slap the hands of the Judges and referees.  Please lead your team (as quickly as possible) past the line of judges/refs after receiving your medals.

A special awards nomination form is attached. This can be filled out before or during the competition to share information about your team or others. If at any point during the day, you see a team that does something remarkable that you think the judges should know about – let us know! The judges have a few special awards that can be given to a team that stands out, but doesn’t necessarily qualify for one of the four major award categories. These special awards include: team spirit, rising star, young adult mentor, against all odds and more. Please let us know if you have a story from the tournament or the season that you think the judges should know about. The forms can be returned to a the volunteer at the registration desk and will be given to judges during their afternoon deliberations. All forms must be returned by the end of Round 1 of Robot Matches.

Two final words: GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM. Remember that the goal of the tournament is to have fun and inspire kids.  HAVE FUN!  And please make sure that your team leaves your pit area clean and treats all of our volunteers with respect.