For the first time ever, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will be allowed to create a Team ‘Standard’, or flag, that will be flown over their player stations on the field during matches. For centuries, standards have been used to rally troops or to show the presence of important leaders. They have been a source of pride and inspiration. FIRST STRONGHOLD is all in good fun, but this is a great chance to show your colors and your team pride on the playing field itself!  We’re releasing this information now so you can get started on this activity if you wish, no need to wait until Kickoff.

Team standard example, over player station

(please note, image is purely illustrative and any other game specific field elements are hidden for the purposes of this pre-Kickoff image)

The Team Standard is completely optional. There is no element of FIRST STRONGHOLD you won’t be able to play if you don’t create a standard. There will simply be an empty spot over your player station during your matches where your standard would have been displayed.

Teams are encouraged, but not required, to make their Standards two‐sided, so any spectators behind player stations are not left out.

Also, Team Standards do not replace the flags or other team pride items many teams give to the event MCs to flourish when introducing them before matches. MCs will still be using these items to introduce teams, so bring them on!

Further, the Team Standard is not an inspection item. Inspectors will not be measuring your Team Standard to make sure it meets requirements before you will be allowed to bring it to the field. However, you should be aware that as Team Standards will be hung over player stations, oversized or otherwise improperly constructed Standards do have the potential to interfere either with game play or with the ability of spectators to see the match. If a referee or other official believes a Team Standard does not meet requirements, it may be checked. If found to not meet requirements, it will be removed from the field.

We also have some interesting items we’ll be providing teams to add to their standards. At the start of every event, each team will be given a ‘history patch’, that will indicate the week in which the event occurred. These patches are designed to be placed on your Team Standard, so be sure to leave room! The history patch for every competition week is different. As most FRC teams now participate in more than one event, teams will be able to show the history of their competition season right on their Team Standards. History Patches will be provided right through the FIRST Championship.

In addition, teams earning the Chairman’s Award, the Engineering Inspiration Award, the Rookie All Star award, or being a member of the Winning Alliance at any events will be presented with Achievement Streamers during the awards ceremony. These Achievement Streamers are designed to be hung on your Team Standards. This is another opportunity for teams to show their pride. Hall of Fame teams and Original/Sustaining Teams will also receive unique streamers so they may display these accomplishments. The streamers for each achievement are different so spectators and other teams will be able to tell at a glance what teams have accomplished in these areas.

By the time we get to FIRST Championship, we’re looking forward to seeing lots of colorful Team Standards showing a history of the weeks in which teams competed and their major achievements.

Full Team Standards specs are shown here.

Please join us in making the 2016 FRC season the most exciting and colorful ever!

Frank