This article explains what to expect when attending a VEX IQ Robotics Competition, from check-in through the awards ceremony, and how teams and coaches can prepare in advance.
Definitions of the terms used here are maintained in the central glossary.
For inspection requirements, see the VEX IQ Inspection Checklist. For details on judged and performance-based awards, see Award Descriptions. For how multi-day and Signature Events differ from a typical local event, see Types of VEX Robotics Competition Events.
This article describes a typical one-day local event. Multi-day events and events such as Signature Events or the VEX Robotics World Championship follow a different agenda.
Before Arrival
Before you attend a VEX IQ Robotics Competition, review the event information on events.vex.com so you can familiarize yourself and plan accordingly. This includes the event's location, agenda, and judging format, among other details that will help you be adequately prepared prior to the event.
For a quick-reference list of forms and documents commonly used during competitions, see Printable Resources for Competitions.
Event Day Overview
VEX IQ Robotics Competition events are created and managed through events.vex.com, and any information regarding them can be found there. Coaches and mentors should be familiar with event information prior to arrival so they can provide their teams with appropriate support.
Below is an overview of a typical event agenda for a VEX IQ Robotics Competition and how to prepare for attending.
Check-In
Upon arrival at an event, coaches should stop by the check-in desk to confirm arrival and gather any additional information that has not already been shared, such as their pit location.
Inspection
After a team has been checked in, they can head to the inspection tables with their robot, controller, license plates, and a charged battery. Any additional tools or materials can be dropped off and left at their pit for the time being.
Before a team is inspected, they should review the VEX IQ Inspection Checklist and confirm their robot follows every listed rule. A team that does not meet each requirement will not pass inspection and must make changes before they can compete at the event.
Once a team has passed inspection, they are free to go to the practice fields, skills fields (if open), or relax in their pit until the event meeting.
Event Meeting
After all teams have been checked in (or confirmed as not attending), all checked-in teams have been inspected, and the match schedule has been published, the Event Partner will hold an event meeting. This meeting outlines the event agenda and any specific venue guidelines. The Head Referee(s) will also give a quick overview of important rules on gameplay and answer any questions.
Interviews
If an event is offering a judging format that includes In-Person Interviews, teams should be prepared to be pulled for an interview at any point during the competition prior to elimination matches. In these interviews, teams may be asked questions or asked to present on their robot's design and programming, along with team management, and should be prepared to discuss anything the judges inquire.
These interviews are fairly short, but teams should inform judges of any upcoming matches they may have to ensure they do not miss any of their matches.
Qualification Matches
Shortly following the event meeting, qualification matches will commence. Coaches should ensure that teams are familiar with their match schedules so students arrive at matches on time. Event Partners typically post printed match schedules on-site, or share them through VEX Via, so check with the Event Partner if you can't find a posted schedule in the pits.
If a team misses a match, they are marked as a no-show. The team's alliance partner still competes and keeps the score actually earned in that match; only the no-show team's own record shows a score of 0. This could be the deciding factor at the end of the day in whether a team makes the Finals Matches, so it is important for teams to watch the schedule and attend all their matches.
Lunch
Events will likely have a break for lunch built into their agenda. It is important to be aware of both the start and finish times of this break to ensure that teams are able to eat without missing any matches. This lunch could fall during the match schedule, between qualification and Finals Matches, or at any other point the Event Partner chooses. Coaches should also be aware of the event's lunch options prior to arriving to ensure students are properly prepared.
Finals Matches
Once qualification matches have ended, the Finals Matches will begin soon after. The number of Finals Matches, and therefore the number of teams who participate in them, is determined by the Event Partner. Events that qualify teams directly to the VEX Robotics World Championship must run a minimum of five Finals Matches per division when ten or more teams are in attendance. See the VEX IQ Game Manual for full requirements.
Events typically run a single-elimination bracket based on final qualification rankings, where teams are allianced such that the team ranked first is paired with the team ranked second, and so on. Each Finals Match is Best-of-1, and a lower score than one already posted in the Finals Matches will immediately eliminate the alliance from the tournament. The alliance with the highest score at the end of the Finals Matches wins the Teamwork Champion Award.
Awards
After all matches have ended, the Event Partner holds an awards ceremony to present judged and performance-based awards. The Event Partner decides who presents each award; this may be the Judge Advisor or another designated presenter.
Coaches should ensure all teams are present at this ceremony in case they receive a judged award, and to congratulate other teams.
Best Practices
- Familiarize yourself with event information prior to arrival.
- Check the event's judging format a few weeks prior to the event to confirm whether it has any remote components that need to be submitted ahead of time.
- Ensure robots will pass inspection prior to the event to avoid needing last-minute changes or missing out on competing altogether.
- Pay attention to the event schedule and ensure attendance at all matches.
- Be available for any in-person components of the event's judging format.
- Attend any event meetings and ceremonies to stay informed and available to receive any possible awards.