Why Compete?

The purpose of competing is to get hands-on learning experience through seeing other teams' performances and improving your own. It can also be a huge motivator for your team for time constraints and robot performance. In addition, certain awards given out at competitions can qualify your team to higher level and more competitive tournaments. Lastly, you can participate in the Robot Skills Challenge during tournaments, which could qualify your team as well.

Your alliances are randomly picked and are given when the matchlist (schedule of qualification match, alliance, time, etc) is out. After all qualification matches, the top 10 teams play in 5 finals matches. Team ranked #1 alliances with team ranked #2, team ranked #3 alliances with team ranked #4, and etc, going down the list. After all finals matches, the highest scoring alliance out of all 5 matches win and each receive the Teamwork Champion award.

Rankings

Throughout playing qualification matches, a team's ranking is determined by diving the amount of total points they earned throughout the entire tournament by the number of matches they played so far. This amount, the average points, is displayed in the VEX Via app next to your team's ranking, alongside the matches played. Rankings are important because they determine if your team can play in finals.

Finals matches rankings are not the same as qualification match rankings. They are listed separately.

Robot Skills Challenge

During the tournament, your team will be able to participate in the Robot Skills Challenge. This is a challenge where your team works alone (without any alliances) to score the highest amount of points possible in 1:00 minute. There are two types of Robot Skills Challenges- autonomous and drivers. Autonomous is controlled only by programming and sensor inputs (no drivers) and Drivers is by the controller with the drive team. Learn more about Autonomous and Driver Skills here. There are 3 attempts each for Drivers and Autonomous and the best attempt of each are recorded. The final score is an addition of your team's highest Autonomous Skills score and your team's highest Driver Skills score. 

When getting ready for skills, make sure to stand in line when your team's next qualification match is far away/lunch time, providing you with enough time to wait and complete a skills run. Your team could also see if your tournament allows for spot saving, where one teammate can represent the team and save their spot without a robot. Make sure to get at least 1 Autonomous Skills run and at least 1 Drivers Skills run to maximize your score.

Tournament Preparations Tips

Tip #1 - Battery

Bringing at least two (2) batteries is recommended for tournaments. This is because a robot's performance can drastically differ based on the battery percentage. When a battery has low percentage, like one (1) dot or two (2) dots, it can slow down mechanisms on the robot.

Ensure the battery is at three (3) dots or four (4) dots before a match. If bringing an extra, make sure to charge it back at the pit area so there is at least one (1) fully charged or close to charged battery at all times. 

After every match or every two (2) matches, change/charge the battery so your robot can perform at its maximum capacity.

Tip #2 - Sizing

At least a day or two before a tournament, make sure your robot is in size by using a ruler or a sizing tool. Check the game manual for specific sizes per year. It is always better to make the robot smaller to allow for some leeway during competitions.

When going through inspection at a tournament, inspectors will be very strict on the sizing. Generally, they slide a precise sizing tool across the entire robot from all sides to ensure the robot is in size. If the robot is found to not be in size, your team has to fix it as soon as possible before you are not allowed to participate in the tournament. This causes lots of stress and worry so make sure to size it beforehand.

Picture shown in top left is a battery. Picture shown in bottom left is a picture of the logo for the VEX Via app. Picture at right is a sizing tool commonly used in inspections for VEX IQ tournaments.

Tip #3 - Matches

Before matches start, match lists will be given out through paper or the VEX Via App. If you have an electronic device, we recommend your team or one of your teammates download the app as you can access matchlists, rankings, and skills ranking anytime. These lists tell you the time when the match is, what qualification number it is, and what team you are alliancing and playing together with. These alliances are randomly selected beforehand.

Take a detailed look through your matchlist and highlight or write down any of your matches, when they are, which qualification it is, and what team you are alliancing with. Then, about 10-20 minutes before your first match starts, scout for your alliance. Look for them through finding their team members in the pit area. If they are not there, you can wait as they may be playing a match currently; or look in the skills line or where matches are played for them. 

Communicate with the alliance a strategy that will work best for both of your robots. Be flexible and respectful when making this strategy as all robots are different; some may better work in a certain strategy than others. Then, at least 5 minutes before your match starts, go to the correct queing table and line up. If you are not sure which table it is, ask a volunteer at any one of the tables, and they will guide you to the correct one. Make sure your alliance is there with you as well.

Tip #4 - Stay Attentive

Throughout the entire tournament, important information is shared, mainly by the head referee and tournament host. Always pay attention to their words and feel free to even write things down.

Here is a list of some important information usually shared at tournaments:

• When inspection starts/ends

  • Inspection allows your team to compete. Make sure to get inspected as early as possible to avoid stress.

• When Engineering Design Notebooks are due

  • Knowing when the notebooks are due will allow your team to submit it for judging. Like inspection, do this as soon as possible.

• When the Skills fields close

  • This is important so your team knows when to run your skill attempts within time

• Any new game manual updates/rule clarification

  • The head referee will usually share any important rule clarification or game manual updates that may specify any rules. Make sure to pay attention so your team doesn't break any rules.

• When lunch time starts/ends

  • It is helpful to see when lunch is. After eating, lunch is a great time to use the practice fields or skills fields (if open)

Tip #5 - Have Fun

Lastly, have fun! VEX tournaments and competitions are stressful but in the end, they are rewarding and joyous events. Seeing so many people together working to solve the same problem is inspiring to see. Don't be afraid to show your team spirit and cheer your team/alliance on during matches. Cheer in favor for teams in your organization/school/club. Support your team and even others; make new friends and connections. 

Other Resources

Here are some resources related to competing at tournaments. 

1. An article by the REC Foundation about what to expect at a VEX IQ tournament: https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/articles/9757369749783-Attending-a-VIQC-Tournament 

2. A page on the REC Foundation's website related to competing: https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/categories/9699813620631-Competitions

3.  The VEX Forum, which is a compilation of valuable discussion made from other people who participate in VEX IQ. The Vex Forum is a continuous thread of questions and answers: https://www.vexforum.com/c/vex-iq-general-discussion/5

4. The VIQRC Robot Inspection Checklist from the REC Library, which is the same checklist inspectors at tournaments use to inspect robots. https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/articles/9756699624599-VIQRC-Robot-Inspection-Checklist 

5. The Guide to Judging Awards from the REC Library which lists out all awards, what they are, and the specific criteria to get them. https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/articles/9784301424023-Guide-to-Judging-Awards