Your first tournament is a big day — loud, busy, and honestly one of the most fun days of the season. Here's what happens, so nothing surprises you.
When you arrive: check-in
Your team checks in first. You'll get your event packet (and usually a participation medal!), and the check-in crew will point you to your pit table — your team's home base for the day — and tell you where inspection and the drivers meeting are.
Inspection
Before you can compete, an inspector checks your robot against the rules — size, legal parts, safety. Don't be nervous: inspectors are there to help you pass. If something needs a fix, they'll tell you exactly what, you fix it, and you come back.
The drivers meeting
A short meeting where the referees explain how the day will run and answer questions. Send your drivers; listen up.
Matches!
In VEX IQ teamwork matches, you and another team work together on the same field — your two robots, about a minute on the clock, scoring points as an alliance. You'll play several qualification matches through the day, each time paired with a different team. Keep an eye on the match schedule, and be at the queue when you're called.
Between matches: charge batteries, fix things, practice, make friends in the pits. The skills field is usually open all day too — go get a run in.
Judges will come find you
Sometime during the day, judges will interview your team about your robot and your engineering notebook. You do the talking — not your coach — and it's more fun than it sounds. If judges come back for a second chat, that's a good sign.
Finals and awards
After qualification matches, the top alliances play finals matches, and the day ends with the awards ceremony — trophies for match play, skills, and the judged awards. Cheer loud for everyone.
Three things to remember
- Ask for help. Every adult in a volunteer shirt is there for you.
- Referees make the calls. If something seems wrong, your drivers can ask the referee politely — that's the rule everywhere in VEX.
- Have fun. Every team at that event was a rookie once.