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Drive Team Basics
Drive Team Basics
An FTC drive team is the group of team members responsible for operating and supporting the robot during a match. It typically includes:
Two drivers who operate the robot during the driver-controlled period
One coach who monitors the match, communicates strategy, and coordinates with alliance partners
One human player who performs designated game tasks from outside the field, as permitted by that season’s rules
Teams may also designate a technician to assist with transporting, setting up, and troubleshooting the robot before a match, although the technician does not operate the robot during gameplay.
A successful drive team must understand the game rules, communicate effectively with its alliance partner, practice match strategy, and remain calm under pressure. Because responsibilities and field positions can change from season to season, teams should always consult the current FTC competition manual.
Match Format
Match Format
An FTC match is played between two alliances: a Red Alliance and a Blue Alliance. Each alliance typically consists of two teams, with both robots working together to earn a combined score.
A match includes the following periods:
Pre-match setup: Teams place their robots and game elements in the permitted starting positions. Field personnel verify that robots and drive teams are ready.
AUTO: During the first 30 seconds, robots operate using preprogrammed instructions without input from the drivers. Teams score by completing season-specific autonomous tasks.
TELEOP: For the next two minutes, drivers remotely operate their robots. Alliance partners coordinate their actions to score game elements, defend when permitted, and complete other objectives.
ENDGAME: The final portion of the match (commonly the last 20-30 seconds) introduces additional scoring opportunities. These may include parking, climbing, lifting, launching, or completing special game-specific tasks.
After the match, referees confirm scores and assess any penalties. The alliance with the highest final score wins. Although this general structure remains consistent, the scoring objectives, endgame length, field rules, and permitted robot actions may change each season.
Practice Practice Practice
Practice Practice Practice
Drive-team practice is essential because successful matches require more than simply knowing how to operate the robot. Teams must regularly test their autonomous routines, understand where the robot begins and finishes autonomous, and plan how that final position affects the transition into driver-controlled play. Drivers should also practice match strategy, alliance coordination, and completing objectives within the match’s limited time.
Teams should begin running full practice matches as soon as they have a drivable robot—even before every mechanism is complete. Early practice helps drivers develop control, reveals programming and mechanical problems, improves autonomous reliability, and prepares the entire drive team to communicate and make decisions under competition pressure.
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