How the gears turn...

Unlike most sports with meets or games, we participate in all day (9am-6pm) tournaments held on Saturdays or Fridays (usually just one).  We'll do around 5-7 tournaments between early November and early February , depending on how the season is going.  Our tournament schedule is determined by a couple of factors:

• Coach availability

• Location

• Team member discussions

When we agree upon and register for tournaments it IS expected that ALL team members attend the tournament (of course, illness or emergencies are considered).  Regular practice attendance is also required and we do try to work around/with sport schedules.  

While we are an independent organization not associated with a high school, we do expect commitment from our team members.  Every member has a job, their skills are necessary, and they will be needed at tournaments.  

Practices

We have a complete field and accompanying elements fully assembled in a indoor space. With working around other activities/sports most practices will be after school or on weekends (if the team feels it's needed before a tournament).  Teams are encouraged to and able to make a schedule that works for them.

Tournament Day

Most of our tournaments are an hour or so away (as coach I try to keep it less than 2 hours with the exception of St. Cloud). This means the teams sometime meet by 5:30am to help load the robots, tools, etc. into the trailer/truck.  We do drive to tournaments as a team.  This ensures everyone will be to the tournament on time and allows team members to discuss any last minute strategies or concerns they may want to address.

Once at the tournament everyone unloads the robots and equipment, we check-in with the tournament organizer, and get set up!  This time can usually be a little chaotic as there are many other teams setting up, using practice fields, etc.  As early as we may be there the time goes by quickly!  

After a driver's meeting qualification rounds typically start around 9-9:30am.  The number of rounds depend on the size of the tournament, but each team usually has 5-7 matches where they are randomly paired with another team (an "alliance").  Together they work to use strategy and skill to score more points than the other alliance. 

The  2024-2025  game: High Stakes
VEX V5 Robotics Competition High Stakes is played on a 12’ x 12’ square field configured as seen above. Two (2) Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two (2) Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen (15) second Autonomous Period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second (1:45) Driver Controlled Period.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Rings on Stakes, Placing Mobile Goals, and by Climbing at the end of the Match. 

At the end of qualifications the top 16 teams get to chose their alliance to compete with them in the final rounds.  From there it is single elimination until one Alliance (2 teams) is victorious in winning the championship!

We usually stay at the tournament as a team until the end, even if our teams are not selected to compete in the final rounds.  This is both to show support for other teams/friends and see what else we can learn from the advancing competition as it's likely we'll face them in another tournament.  It is also possible to win an award even if we don't advance to finals.  

Most tournaments wrap up around 5:30-6pm.  We return to home base, unload what needs to go back to the practice area, and then everyone is done for the day! 

Tournament days can be long, but also a lot of fun!  We encourage all team members to bring a water bottle and any snacks they may need to stay energized.  Most tournaments will have concessions available for lunch as well.  It is highly suggested to wear comfortable shoes and we do have team shirts and sweatshirts that we wear for unity.