5 Event Rules (E)
This section includes general rules which apply from the beginning of the public schedule when teams arrive through the end of the event with departure from the venue. These are high-level rules intended to promote an orderly and safe experience for all participants. The Event Director may specify additional restrictions beyond those listed here based on local venue requirements which in most circumstances will be communicated to teams in advance of the event.
FIRST® is committed to STEM for Everyone™ 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, we ask that they talk to a volunteer at the event or contact their local leadership before the event so they can ensure the request is addressed. Accommodations are considered reasonable if they do not create an undue hardship, cause safety concerns, or fundamentally alter the nature of the event.
Rules around safety and security within this section are minimum requirements, and Program Delivery Partners are able to implement increased restrictions due to local or venue requirements (e.g., requiring badging for all attendees, reserving seating for accessibility). Partners should communicate additional local requirements early enough to allow teams to plan.
Safety is always paramount, and many rules are intended to establish norms at each event that will mitigate injury risk to all participants.
The Event Director has the final decision authority for all safety-related issues within a venue.
5.1 General Rules
A. wear safety glasses or safety rated glasses with side shields (ANSI-approved, UL Listed, CE EN166 rated, AS/NZS certified, or CSA rated) while in and around the playing FIELD and in the pit area. Clear or lightly tinted safety glasses are preferred. Shaded glasses are allowed for those who need them and do not require a specific accommodation request. The only instances where teams are not required to wear safety glasses are in their first 10 minutes of their event load in, and for the first 10 minutes pits are open each day of the event as long as they’re not working on the ROBOT or setting up their pit,
B. wear closed toed/heeled shoes,
C. control entanglement risks by tying back long hair and removing other dangling decorations including lanyards, spirit wear and rings as needed while working on or around a ROBOT or ROBOT related materials or tools,
D. wear appropriate clothing,
E. walk in the venue, and
F. comply with government and venue-specific health and safety requirements in place for that event (i.e., mask wearing).
Teams are responsible for bringing their own personal protective equipment.
For more information about safety at FIRST® events, please reference the FIRST® Safety Manual.
A partial list of footwear that is not allowed: Crocs, slides, sandals, flip flops, Birkenstocks, sandals with an ankle strap, clogs.
Examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to:
A. use of offensive language or other uncivil conduct towards someone,
B. “weaponizing Gracious Professionalism” by accusing another person or team of being “not GP”,
C. intentionally blocking the view of other participants or spectators for an extended period (Team members momentarily holding up team signs while directly supporting their team is not considered a violation of this rule.), and
D. jamming or interfering with the remote sensing capabilities of a ROBOT or the FIELD while in open-access spectator seating areas.
Examples of remote sensing capabilities include, but are not limited to, vision systems, acoustic range finders, sonars, and infrared proximity sensors.
Use of imagery that, to a reasonably astute observer, mimics the AprilTags employed on the FIELD is a violation of this rule.
Examples of particularly contemptible behavior that may result in ejection from the event include, but are not limited to, the following:
E. assault, e.g., throwing something that hits another person (even if unintended),
F. threat, e.g., saying something like “if you don’t reverse that call, I’ll make you regret it,”
G. harassment, e.g., badgering someone with no new information after a decision has been made or a question has been answered,
H. bullying, e.g., using body or verbal language to cause another person to feel inadequate or unsafe,
I. insulting, e.g., telling someone they do not deserve to be on a team,
J. swearing at another person (versus swearing under one’s breath or at oneself), and
K. yelling at another person(s) in anger or frustration.
Teams may not set up their own practice equipment outside their pit in other areas of the event venue. If the Event Director determines a pit practice setup is unsafe or interferes with activity in adjacent pits or aisles, the team must discontinue the activity.
Demonstrating robot functionality to guests or JUDGES is not considered practice.
A. in their pit area,
B. in another team’s pit area with permission from that team,
C. while queued for a MATCH or practice FIELD (given space constraints, extra scrutiny regarding safety is required),
D. any area designated by event staff (e.g., playoff pit area), or
E. as permitted at provided machine shops that are available to all teams.
A. Skateboards,
B. ‘hoverboards’,
C. drones,
D. bottled gas tanks (e.g., helium),
E. noisy devices or noisemakers, such as floor stompers, whistles and/or air horns,
F. walkie-talkies, or
G. scooters, except for those used for accommodations.
A. Do not cover or move other team or sponsor signs already in place.
B. Share the available space fairly with other teams.
C. Do not obstruct the view of spectators.
D. Get permission from the Event Director before hanging banners outside of your pit.
E. Hang signs and banners in a safe manner.
F. Banners hung outside team pits must not be larger than 25 ft.2 (2.3 m2).
We encourage teams to bring team flags and/or signs for display in their pits and/or the ARENA.
Respect venue-specific rules regarding sign location and hanging methods. At the end of the event, safely remove all signs and anything used to hang the signs (tape, string, etc.).
Please note that many FIRST® events are livestreamed and FIRST® participants have given permission to appear in footage from FIRST®. This does not mean that people can record specific interactions without additional consent.
Laws regarding recording of conversations vary state-to-state and country-to country, and, in some cases, recording without consent may be criminal. Introducing the idea of recording a conversation with an implied reason of proving someone’s error can escalate a discussion and is likely to increase its adversarial nature.
5.2 Machine Shops and Host Team Build Spaces
Rarely, some events host a machine shop or open their team’s build space, during specific hours (see the event public agenda), to help teams with repair and fabrication of their ROBOT. Machine shops are typically sponsored by the local host organization. In most cases, the machine shop is on site and readily accessible to all teams. All competing teams should have access to the same resources.
5.3 Wireless Rules
A wireless hot spot created by a cellular device, camera, smart TV, etc. is considered an access point.
Some smart TVs have access points enabled by factory default. Please make sure that functionality is disabled for any TVs brought to the event.
Bluetooth uses 2.4GHz frequencies to communicate which can interfere with venue and ROBOT systems.
Many R/C toys (including drones, wireless vehicles, FPV systems) use 2.4GHz and 5GHz communications. Do not operate these in the venue.
5.4 Load-In
Some large events (often multi-day events) may set specific time frames, published on the event public schedule, in which teams are invited to load their ROBOT and equipment into their pit areas before pits officially open.
Load-in can be stressful for teams and volunteers, which can be mitigated by preparation and planning. Unanticipated factors, like traffic or weather, can change a team’s scheduled arrival time, making the process difficult. The most important things a team should remember are to be safe, gracious, and professional. Teams who experience smooth and easy load-ins are encouraged to check with others to see if they can help and make their experience as positive as possible.
5.5 Pits
A team pit is the designated space, typically a 10 ft. by 10 ft. by 10 ft. (~3 m x 3 m x 3 m) area, where a team may work on their ROBOT. Each team is assigned a pit space typically marked with their team number. This helps team members, JUDGES, and visitors find teams easily. Pit spaces may vary based on competition venue size limits.
The pit area refers to the general area where team pits are located which encompasses the aisles between the pits, pit admin, ROBOT inspection, practice FIELD, or other areas where ROBOTS may be active or worked on. All pit rules apply to the full pit area.
Additional limitations beyond those listed below may be imposed by the Event Director but they should be clearly communicated at least 48 hours before the event start time and applied to all teams fairly. Team pits may or may not have a table and power outlet. If individual team outlets are not provided, the venue must provide access to team-usable outlets in the pit area for charging batteries. Power may not be available overnight for a multi-day event.
Teams, volunteers, FIRST® staff, and guests spend a lot of time in the pits. Get to know other teams and help each other when you can. Time is short and help is very often right "next door" in the adjacent team pits.
Small, bench-top machinery, with appropriate guards, is permitted in team pits. ‘Small’ machinery is machinery that can be easily lifted by one person and examples include, but are not limited to: 3D printers, small band saws, small drill presses, desktop CNC mills, and sanders.
A. run power or internet lines from their team pit to any other area except as instructed or allowed by the Event Director,
B. swap team pits with other teams if pits have assigned team numbers, or
C. move themselves to empty team pits without Event Director approval.
5.6 ROBOT Carts
Most teams use carts to transport their ROBOT throughout an event. Carts are not required but are recommended (to minimize risk of muscle strains, dropped ROBOTS, and other hazards). In addition to the rules listed below, teams are encouraged to put the team’s number on the cart, refer to the FIRST® Safety Manual for key safety guidelines and practices.
5.7 Ceremonies
At most events, there are opening and closing ceremonies to show honor and respect for represented countries, sponsors, teams, mentors, volunteers, and award winners. Ceremonies provide everyone with the opportunity to collectively applaud the successes of all participants. They also give teams a chance to "meet" the volunteers and other people and sponsors involved with the event. Closing ceremony elements are at the end of most events and are integrated into and presented between Playoff MATCHES.
At the awards ceremony, FIRST® presents trophies and medallions to outstanding teams. All team members are encouraged to attend the ceremonies, be punctual, and show appreciation to volunteers that staffed the event.
A. use power tools
B. use loud hand tools (hammers, saws, etc.), or
C. shout, yell, or use loud voices, unless as a demonstration of approval during a ceremonial activity.
5.8 In the Stands
Teams may not hang banners or ribbons or otherwise designate seating. (Event staff will remove and discard any banners, roping, etc., used to designate seating.) Please take turns sitting in the bleachers/stands if seating is limited. If there is a crowding problem, we ask that you kindly leave after your team's MATCH and return later, if possible.
The Event Director may reserve seats for attendees who require accessible seating, for certain volunteers, or to ensure teams in the Playoffs have seats to watch their teams play.
