Tournament

Tournaments are held all over the world and can be run differently from place to place. However, there are some common characteristics that you should know before arriving. Here is a document with 101 things you should know before your first tournament.

Check-In

It is important to check in right when you get to a tournament. The event partner hosting the tournament needs to run the match schedule and can only do so once all teams check in. The tournament should also provide an estimated schedule of the day.

When you arrive, you will also be turning in any paperwork, like the VEX Release Form, for all students participating. Engineering Notebooks are usually collected at the check-in table as well.

Robot Inspection

Every robot needs to pass inspection before participating in the event. If your robot does not pass inspection, you can go make the necessary changes and return to try and pass inspection again. Please carefully read the inspection checklist to make sure you are ready when you arrive.

Team Meeting

All coaches and team members need to attend the Team Meeting to review the day's rules and expectations. This usually happens just before Qualification Matches begin.

Qualification Matches

Each tournament has a different number of qualifying matches depending on the schedule for the day and the number of teams competing. As soon as the event partner runs the match schedule, one will be provided for each team. There are times listed for matches, but do not depend on this as the schedule often changes. Somebody on each team needs to keep a close eye on the matches taking place.

It is best to be ready to check in at the Queuing table two matches before your match. Those who are running the queuing table will often send you to a field to set up while another match is taking place on a second field. You must check in on time to get to play in your match.

Lunch

The event partner may or may not provide lunch. An email to the coach should communicate this. Often there are snack bars available, but either plan on bringing lunch or purchasing at the event. Usually, lunch is 30 - 60 minutes; therefore, there is not enough time to leave the venue to buy lunch.

Alliance Selection

When the qualification matches are complete, an Alliance Selection will take place. Then, depending on the size of the tournament, the top-ranked teams will pick an alliance partner to compete in the finals.

Please be aware that if you refuse to align with a top-ranked team, you cannot align with any other teams that may want to choose you. Only if you are bumped into the top-ranked teams to become a team captain will you be able to compete if you refuse to align with another team.

Final Matches

The final matches are played in a tournament bracket system. The #1 Seed Team Alliance will compete against the #8 Seed Team Alliance; the #2 Seed Team Alliance will compete against the #7 Seed Team Alliance, and so on. Final matches are usually best 2 out of 3, so if each alliance wins one, a third match will be played to break the tie. Time-outs are only allowed in the finals since so many matches are played back-to-back.

Judging

Judging will likely occur in the pit area, where you are provided a table to work on your robots during the match. Listen to the event partner at the start of the day to see how judging will take place and where to turn in your notebooks at the beginning of the day.

Judges often return for a second or third time to decide between teams for the awards. Therefore, always be courteous and available to be interviewed when judges arrive.

Awards will be given out at the end of the tournament.

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