RESOURCE LIBRARY

At events, each team is provided with a designated pit space marked with their team number, where they can work on their robot. Each team’s pit typically comes with a power outlet and a table, and the pit is typically 10’x10’x10’, but exact size may vary based on the event venue. The team numbers help team members, judges, and visitors find teams easily. Please see the Event Rules for specific rules around the Pit.

All teams must go through robot inspection prior to playing in a match. During the robot inspection, inspectors will examine the robot to ensure it aligns with the rules. Check out the Game Manual for the rules and inspection checklist.

Teams are encouraged to start the inspection process as soon as possible. First, go to the inspection station to figure out how the inspection process works at your event. Even if you are not 100% ready, partial inspections, such as height and weight compliance, can be started early to minimize surprises and ensure you get inspected before qualification matches begin.

Every event hosts a Drivers' Meeting as a way for Key Volunteers to introduce themselves to the Drive Teams and cover event procedures. This meeting is also a time for teams to ask questions to volunteers such as the Head Referee or FIRST Technical Advisor.  

Prior to the Driver's Meeting, teams will be able to go to Pit Admin and request a Drivers' Meeting Question Form to pre-submit questions they have for the Key Volunteers. Pit Admin will be able to tell teams when the deadline to turn in the form is. During the Drivers' Meeting, teams will be asked to sit in the stands and field volunteers will be on the field with a microphone to cover important procedures and answer the pre-submitted questions. 

The Pit Announcer and Team Queuers help maintain the practice and match schedules. Teams should designate a team member to know the team’s match schedule, carefully watch the clock, and alert the team when a match is coming up. Once a team is called, the drive team should report to queuing with their robot.

If a team is in any of the first four matches of any competition day, the team’s robot and drive team must queue prior to the Opening Ceremony.

At the event, all teams will have volunteer judges come by the pit to talk to students about their robot and outreach efforts. Teams should be prepared to speak with judges and can visit the FIRST Robotics Competition Awards Page for a complete description of the awards. Teams may also want to check out the Best Practices for Judged Awards resource and the Inside look at the Judging Process for more details about judging. Some awards require teams to pre-submit information before the event and may require a separate interview. Check out the Submitted Awards page for all the details.

For qualification matches, where teams play with a different set of partners each match, teams typically discuss match strategy before getting out on the field. Some teams visit their partners’ pits up to an hour before the match to get an early start on these strategy discussions, while others will wait until the teams are in the queue line together before the match. Consider who on your team will engage in this discussion; while many teams use the Drive Coach for this role, some teams choose to have a dedicated strategist who then relays the plan to the Drive Coach before the match. Ensure the selected student or mentor that engages in these strategy discussions is apprised of the robot's current status, the team's previous match performances, and the team's desired outcome of the event and upcoming match. For example, does the team want to try to win the match regardless of their role? Or does the team want to play the role they built the robot for?

Another thing teams do to help with match strategy, and later alliance selection, is scout the other robots at the event. Scouting is done by recording information about the other teams at the event and most often consists of team members in the stands recording each action the six robots on the field complete in each match. Teams will often design systems to collect this data using pen and paper, smart devices, or hybrid systems that collect data on paper and then enter it into a computer manually or automatically. Teams can then use this information to assess the strengths and weaknesses of upcoming partners and opponents and, if they become an alliance captain, determine who they may want to play with in the Playoff tournament.

Some events have designated early pit setup times, either the evening before and/or the morning before pits open to all members. A team may use both periods to set up the pit, but, per the Event Rules, must leave once pit set up is complete. Teams may be asked to leave by event personnel if it is noted that their pit set up is complete and they have not yet left the pit area.

Each event sets specific time frames, published on the event’s agenda, in which teams are invited to load their robots and equipment into their pit areas. Please see the Event Rules for specific rules around Load In.

Event check-in takes place at Pit Administration the evening before and/or the first morning of each event. Upon receipt of your team's consent and release forms, each team may receive the following:

• Drive Team & Safety Captain Buttons
• Pit Map
• Practice Match Schedule, if available
• Event Team List

There are Opening and Closing Ceremonies at every event to show honor and respect for represented countries, sponsors, teams, mentors, volunteers, professional educators, and award winners. Ceremonies provide everyone with the opportunity to applaud the successes of teams. They also give teams an opportunity to hear from important guests and sponsors involved with the event.

At the Awards Ceremony, FIRST presents trophies and medallions to outstanding teams. We encourage all team members to attend the ceremonies to show appreciation for the event and those involved who volunteer their time and efforts. An exception is if a few team members (up to 5) need to remain in their pit to continue work on their robot during the Opening or Closing Ceremonies, they may.

Event rules specific to ceremonies can be found in the Event Rules.

Pit Administration is centrally located in the Pit area. FIRST staff members and/or volunteers run this area to check teams in and help teams and visitors. Come to the Pit Administration to:

• turn in your team’s roster and any hard copy Consent and Release forms,
• check-in and receive your check in envelope and badges,
• get answers to most questions, including machine shop access,
• ask about lost and found articles, and
• report an illness, injury, or other incident.

Select robot parts are available at each event, however availability varies from event to event. If a team needs a replacement high-value item, “Loaners” are on hand and must be returned before the end of the event.

Teams are encouraged to bring unused parts to assist and support each other. This kindness can expand your FIRST network of friends as you exchange parts.

Some events host a machine shop, open during specific hours (see the event’s agenda), to help teams with repair and fabrication of their robots. While the machine shops vary, FIRST strives to have welding and a variety of high-powered tools available at all events.

In most cases, the machine shop is on-site and readily accessible to all teams. If a team attends an event where the Machine Shop is off-site, volunteers are in place to transport the robot or parts to and from the machine shop. In this case, a team fills out a Machine Shop Request Form that travels with the robot or parts, so the machine shop staff and volunteers can follow their directions.

Each event hosts a First Aid Station to assist with any injury or illness. First Aid Stations are in the pits (refer to the pit map for the exact location), and teams should make sure all team members know where to get First Aid.

If you find or lose an article, report to Pit Administration to fill out a "Lost Item Report" or to turn in the article you found.

Please do not leave valuable items unattended. Neither the event site nor FIRST is responsible for any theft. Take valuable items with you, or designate a team member to remain with the items in the team Pit or competition areas at all times.

Teams may have questions at an event. This section covers who a team may go to when they need help.

• Robot Control System-related issues? Control Systems Advisors (CSAs) can assist and typically can be found in the pits or by the field and wear bright orange hats.
• Inspection Questions? Robot Inspectors can assist! They typically can be found in the pits and wear bright yellow hats. If you have a question an inspector cannot answer, be sure to ask for the Lead Robot Inspector. They wear a yellow hat and a black vest.
• Other questions in the Pit? Start with Pit Admin who can be found at the Pit Admin Station. They typically know the answers or can help track down the correct person.
• Field related questions? Have a member of the drive team (pre-college student) talk to the FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) or the Head Ref.

Anyone can report a youth safety concern or medical incident to FIRST Headquarters using the FIRST Reporting Portal or by emailing safety@firstinspires.org:

1. Youth Protection Concerns: These can encompass a wide variety of issues impacting the safety of youth participants such as suspected abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and/or questionable behavior or comments by adults.
2.  Medical Incidents: All injuries or illnesses at a FIRST event, no matter how minor, must be reported. Incidents outside of events only need reporting if they involve FIRST materials, game design, or rules. For trip/slip/fall injuries, please include photos of the location, when possible, to help with documentation. Provide detailed information about the injury, immediate actions, and any follow-up care. Names can be removed for privacy, but key details like location and date/time are required. Accurate reporting helps improve safety.

Someone from FIRST will review youth protection reports and contact reporters, as appropriate/necessary. Anonymous Reports of Concern may be made on the FIRST Reporting Portal; however, the lack of contact information may impact our ability to follow up with the reporter and address the concern(s).

Remember that in the United States and Canada there are laws that require individuals working with youth to report known or suspected instances of child abuse and neglect. You can find a complete list for the USA and other contact information on the Child Welfare Gateway website State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers. The contact information for reporting suspected child maltreatment in Canada can be found on the Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal under the Provincial And Territorial Assistance page.

FIRST requires all U.S. and Canadian teams to comply with youth protection policies and expects these standards to be applied internationally in accordance with local laws and regulations.

Note: Feedback about issues such as game play, rule changes, awards, and event management (other than medical/safety issues) are considered program related concerns and not youth protection issues and should be shared with FIRST via customerservice@firstinspires.org. Please note that match results and award results are final and that we will not review match videos.  

FIRST is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and as such, FIRST strives to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities that request accommodation. If a participant needs an accommodation for an event, please talk to a volunteer at the event or contact your local leadership before the event so they can help ensure the accommodation is provided. Accommodations are determined reasonable given they do not create an undue hardship or cause safety concerns.