PRE-SEASON ADVICE FROM YOUR HEAD REFEREES:
Hi Awesome FTC Teams,
As we head into the final weeks before qualifier tournaments start up, we want to make a gentle but firm reminder to really pay attention to the rules regarding the new Team Signs for this season! Please re-visit section 12.4 of the Competition Manual which details the Signs. Specific areas of attention are:
- Make sure you have both Alliance Colors – and 2 Signs per Alliance color for a total of 4 Team Signs (2 Red and 2 Blue)
- Please make sure the Team Numbers are appropriate Size and Contrast so that we Referees know who you are!!!!
- Remember that Team Signs may not have backlighting to indicate the Alliance (R402.F)
- Please make sure the signs are ROBUST and can handle the gameplay… they need to be sturdy and secure when placed on the robot. See rule G415 – A bad Team Sign design that makes the robot not easily identifiable may escalate to a YELLOW CARD situation!!!
And now for the firm aspect of the note… Remember, you are responsible for the team signs and accountable at inspection. If you do not have appropriate team signs, do not plan on the inspection teams having make-shift signs that you can use. A few years ago, when we changed from Alliance Flags to the Alliance Markers, we did offer some last minute handouts to ensure teams could play. Because of the new rules, we will not have the ability to readily produce Team Signs at the tournaments, so please come prepared. A final reminder, if your robot cannot pass inspection your team will not get to participate in the match… see G207 and G303 (RED CARD Potential). We really hope we don’t need to take any drastic measures, because everyone is fully ready and compliant for the upcoming season!!!!
One other note… remember that in addition to the FTC Q&A (https://ftc-qa.firstinspires.org/qa/answered), make sure you are checking the Team Updates (https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info). As of Oct 29, we are on Team Update #4. All updates are also reflected in the online Competition Manual.
We are looking forward to seeing you all in action soon and hope to see some awesome and creative robots out there!
Be Safe and Enjoy,
Your AZ FTC Head Ref Crew - Rich, Robert and Wade
EXAMPLE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Times are subject to change depending on the number of teams competing and the flow of match play. Plan your travel accordingly, and please be flexible and patient with our event volunteers. We reserve the right to change this schedule as needed to accommodate anomalies that arise.
Friday, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue opens to teams for early check in, inspection, pit set up and practice. We encourage as many teams as possible to take advantage of this opportunity. Getting all teams inspected in a timely manner will ensure that the event runs on time. New this season! Teams must be fully through inspection in order to use the practice fields!
Saturday
7:00 am Pits open, Team registration opens, Inspection continues
Practice Fields open to fully inspected teams
8:00 am Student Drivers meeting on the field
Adult Coaches meeting in the pit with the Tournament Director
8:30 am Judging sessions begin
10:00 am Opening Ceremonies
10:15 am Qualification matches
12:30 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Qualification matches resume
2:30 pm Alliance Selections
3:00 pm Elimination matches
4:00 pm Award ceremony
5:00 pm Event ends
ALL TEAMS - Be sure to READ THE COMPETITION MANUAL...then read it again
As we stated at Kickoff, there are a number of program changes this year that all teams, new and veteran, need to be aware of going into the competition. These include (but are not limited to!):
- Alliance selection
- Number of playoff alliances now depends on the number of competing teams.
- All alliances will consist of two teams.
- Playoff structure
- Double elimination bracket instead of "best two of three" semifinals and finals.
- Bracket structure depends on the number of alliances in the playoffs.
- Advancement order
- Awards
- The number of awards given now depends on the number of teams competing.
- Award criteria has changed - some awards no longer require an engineering portfolio.
- Team signs (see above!)
Don't forget:
- Your team must have your season registration paid with FIRST AND have two coaches cleared through the youth protection screening by NOVEMBER 30 or by your 1st tournament, which ever comes first.
- The scoring system actually will not allow us to add your team unless this criteria is met!
- Your team name will be displayed at the competition during matches and awards as it's listed on your FIRST Dashboard. Make sure that you update it if there have been any changes prior to your event. We can't make changes once the event is in progress.
- Questions? Contact Patti or Susan.
