– FIRST Tech Challenge DECODE Season Guide

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Overview
Job Description
Field Supervisorshelp supervise the setup and maintenance of the fields throughout the event with the
FIRST Technical Advisor(FTA). They work closely with the FTA and other event staff to ensure matches
stay on time, the field is maintained, and safety is upheld. Field Supervisorslead Field Resetvolunteers,
help manage match transitions, and often support both setup and teardown of the field.

Requirements
Technical
Medium
Physical
High
Administrative
High
Communication
High
Pre-event Training High

Time Commitment
A Field Supervisor should expect to spend 10-12 hours at a full day event and 5-6 hours at a league
meet. Approximately 6-10 hours of pre-event training and planning is required.

Attire
• Comfortable closed-toe, closed-heel shoes, much of the day will involve standing and walking.
• ANSI Z87.1 (or regional equivalent) certified safety glasses are required in team pits and
competition areas.
• As one of the event leaders, comfortable professional wear is encouraged.

Training and Certification
Read and complete all tasks listed in thePre-Event Trainingsection.
Any volunteer who applies to a role will be able to get into the Learning Management System (LMS)
using theFIRST^® Trainingbutton. Roles with the training required will appear in the 'roles missing
certification' area. For more help, you can read moreabout how to access your training.
If you have applied for a role but have not received access to the training, please email
training@firstinspires.org. A separate confirmation of the role assignment will come later.
Field Supervisors should speak to the FIRST Technical Advisor to learn about additional requirements,
such as meetings before the event or run-throughs of the space before the event.
All Volunteers are expected to read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook.

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Roles and Responsibilities
FIRSTis fun for all. The most important role of a volunteer is to provide a
safe, fun and welcoming environment to all FIRST^® participants. When
executing the duties of your role, always make decisions with the team
experience in mind. Ask for help from event leadership if you feel your
required duties conflict with the best team experience.

Core Responsibilities
The Field Supervisor assists the FTA with managing the arena. In particular:
• Together with the FTA, ensure FIRST^® Tech Challenge events provide an exceptional team
experience where participants feel safe and supported.
• Assist the FTA by supervising the assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of competition and
practice fields according to standards set by FIRST^®.
• Assist the FTA in providing leadership over all field operations and volunteers, including match
queuing and field reset.
• Observe and adjust the pace of match play to align with the event schedule.
• Guide all event staff, volunteers, and participants in the arena towards safe locations and
behavior that does not interrupt field operations.
• Mediate and de-escalate conflicts that may arise between participants, volunteers, and staff.
• Serve as a model for Gracious Professionalism^®.

Core Skills
Anyone with good communication and organizational skills can serve as a Field Supervisor. However,
highly successful Field Supervisors develop the following skills:
• Empathetic and clear communication with volunteers and participants of all ages.
• Leadership and decision-making skills to lead volunteers and teams, as needed.
• Well-paced energy throughout the day as they do a lot of walking around the arena, conversing
with teams and volunteers, and helping with event load-in and load-out.
• Cheerleading of teams and fellow volunteers.

Prerequisites for Field Supervisor
To serve as a Field Supervisor:
• Minimum age: 18 years old (must be post-high school or equivalent)
o Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval
by the local Program Delivery Partner
• Either FIRST^® or related field experience preferred.

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Reporting Structure
Field Supervisors report to the FTA (for single-
division events) or a Division FTA (for multi-
division events). They assist the FTA in leading
Field Reset volunteers and supervise the Lead Queuer.
In practice, the Field Supervisor will:
• Assist the FTA with as-needed tasks.
• Empower Field Reset volunteers and the Lead Queuer to
support the efficient flow of matches by observing and
adjusting processes within guidelines set by FIRST^®.
• Support all field staff with managing stress, maintaining
safety, and staying hydrated.

Before the Event
FIRST^® Tech Challenge competitions squeeze a lot of activity typically into a single day. One of the keys
to running a smooth and successful event is for teams and volunteers to show up prepared. Teams
spend countless hours preparing for competition day, and we ask our volunteers to prepare too. It is
important that prior to the event, the Field Supervisor reviews the Pre-Event Trainingresources
listed in the checklist below.

Pre-Event Training
Field Supervisors must complete the required reading in this section and are required to pass a
certification test prior to serving in this role.
Resources for training and certification:

Field Supervisor Pre-Event Training List
Requirement
Resource
Required
Welcome to FIRST
Required
Field Supervisor Manual(this document)
Competition Manual, specifically:
• Section 8 — Game Overview
• Section 9 — ARENA
Required
• Section 10 — Game Details
• Section 13 – Tournament
• Section 14 — League Play Tournaments(if applicable)
Field Operations Guide,which contains training and advice for
Required
managing the fields and related volunteers
Required
Event Field Setup Guide,for event-day setup instructions
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Field Supervisor Pre-Event Training List
Required
Field Reset Guide
Competition Manual, specifically:
Encouraged
• Section 5 — Event Rules
• Section 11 — Game Rules
Encouraged
Event Management System Guide
Encouraged
Complete Strategies for Inspiring Success for All modules.
Initial Field Element Assembly Guide, with instructions for initial
Informational
field construction that may help with field repair
Informational
Watch the game animation videofor an overview of the game
Complete theField Supervisor Certification Testin the FIRST^®
Learning System
Required
(For volunteers outside of North America without a FIRST^®
Dashboard Account use thePDF to self-certify)

Pre-Event Preparation Work
Prior to every event, the Field Supervisor should check in with the FTA regarding event planning and
setup. Familiarity with overall event layout and arena diagrams will help expedite the setup process.

Event Setup
Competition setup generally occurs on the day before the event. Setting up the arena, testing the
wireless environment, and testing the FTC-Live scoring system normally takes 2–3 hours for single-
field events, 3–4 hours for a two-field event, and anywhere from half to a full day for larger events. See
theField Operations Guidefor more information about set up of the arena. Seasonal instructions for
setting up the field can be found in the Event Field Setup Guide.
The Field Supervisor is responsible for setting up the arena as described in diagrams provided by the
FTA and Event Director. This includes:
• Competition field(s)
• Practice field(s)
• Scorekeeper’s table
• Queuing tables
• Crowd control stations (if applicable)
• Oversee the installation of the sound, video, and lighting systems
At some events where the Technical Director role is staffed, scoring-related setup may be led by that
individual. The Field Supervisor will work with the FTA and a team of volunteers to set up and test the
competition field(s) and the practice field(s).
Initial Field Assembly
The Field Supervisor should check with the FTA regarding initial field construction. In general, this
process should begin before the first event of the season. Verification of newly constructed fields
should occur one week or more prior to an event. This guards against cases where field components
are damaged or missing. See the Field Consistency and Field Tolerance sections of the Field
Operations Guidefor more information.
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Required Event Day Equipment and Document List
• ANSI Z87.1 or regional equivalent certified safety glasses are required.
• Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes that will not damage the playing field are required.
• Hardcopy or electronic copy of theField Supervisor Manual(this document)
• Hardcopy or electronic copy of theField Operations Guide

The Field Supervisor should coordinate with the FTA to ensure the following items are available with
the help of the Event Director or local Program Delivery Partner:
 Flashlight
 Pliers
 Cordless drill
 Tape measure
 Diagonal cutting pliers
 All-purpose drill bit set
 Multi-meter
 Utility knife
 Safety glasses or side shields
 Hex key set (English)
 Gaffer’s tape
 Rubber bands
 Adjustable wrench
 Duct tape
 Scissors
 Phillips screwdriver
 Cable ties (zip ties) – various sizes
 5/32 hex drill bit
 Slotted screwdriver
 Assortment of fasteners
 Phillips and slotted drill bits
Field Supervisor Topics for Emphasis
The following are important topics the Field Supervisor needs to be aware of prior to event day.
Practice Matches
Practice matches (defined in Section 13.5 of the Competition Manual) are an optional part of an event.
The FTA should work with the Event Director to determine whether and when to schedule practice
matches. More information is available in the Practice Matches sections of theTournament Guide,
FTC-Live Setup Guide, and Field Operations Guide.
Unified Inspection
For the 2025–2026 season, processes previously known as Robot Inspection and Field Inspection have
been combined into a single, unified inspection process. Events are encouraged to use practice
matches as a way for teams to validate on-field operation and practice the match flow.
Robot Sensor Calibration
Events may specify a window of time for teams to calibrate their robot’s sensors on the competition
field(s) under competition lighting conditions. The FTA should work with the Event Director to
determine whether and when to schedule this opportunity. See the Sensor Calibration section of the
Field Operations Guidefor more information about sensor calibration.
OpMode Initialization
Teams participating in a match are required to initialize an OpMode (even if it is their TeleOp program)
as part of their pre-match setup. Teams with version 11.0 or above of the FTC Driver Station app have
an enhanced indicator of match readiness under certain conditions. SeeSection 11 – Game Rulesof
the Competition Manual and the Pre-Match Setup section of the Field Operations Guide.

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Event Day
Report Time
The Event Director or Volunteer Coordinator will confirm the time you should arrive typically via email
the week before the event. In most cases the Field Supervisor should arrive immediately when the
doors open and volunteer check-in begins. When you arrive onsite, check-in with the Volunteer
Coordinator and FTA.

Set-up
After checking in, the Field Supervisor should head directly to the arena. In collaboration with the FTA,
the Field Supervisor should perform a final check to ensure the arena is ready for volunteers and teams:
• Check for any safety hazards (make sure cables are taped down, queuing pathways are clear)
• Check the fields to make sure:
o Field elements are set up correctly and to the proper specs
o Field tape lines are correctly placed and not peeling
o The field(s) are set up to start the first match of the day

Event Day for the Field Supervisor
The following is an overview of the Field Supervisor’s focus on event day:
• Check in with the FTA regularly and advise them on important decisions.
• Oversee practice matches and robot sensor calibration as described in the Practice Matches
and Sensor Calibration sections of the Field Operations Guide.
• Attend opening ceremonies and be prepared to start the first match immediately afterwards.
• Lead field operations and related volunteers during qualification matches and playoff rounds as
described in theField Operations Guide. This includes:
o Overseeing queuing and field reset processes,
o Remaining schedule-aware (seeSchedule Mindset), and
o Acting as a delegate for the FTA when necessary.
• Write down observations about successes and issues faced during the event and share these
with the FTA to include in post-event reports.
Providing a safe and exceptional team experience is the highest priority, and an efficient flow of
matches is one measure of this experience.

Schedule Mindset
A valued measure of event quality is starting and finishing on time. Field Supervisors are well-
positioned to ensure a smooth and successful event. For a deeper discussion of this topic and
strategies the Field Supervisor can use for success, see the Schedule Mindset section of the Field
Operations Guide.

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Volunteer Interaction
As a volunteer leader, the Field Supervisor interacts and collaborates with many volunteers on event
day. The following is an outline of key volunteer relationships the Field Supervisor should maintain.
FTA
Field operations represent a portion of the FTA’s responsibilities on event day, and the Field Supervisor
is critical in sharing the leadership of field operations and related volunteers. Field Supervisors should
feel empowered to manage the flow of matches and maintain the fields.
By observing the workload and level of stress of the FTA, the Field Supervisor can strike a balance
between collaborating with the FTA on non-urgent issues or managing them without the FTA’s input. In
either case, the Field Supervisor should record information about their experience so that the FTA can
effectively track long-term issues and make post-event reports.
Head Referee
FIRST^® strongly recommends that FTAs and Head Referees follow the FTA & Head Referee Workflow
outlined in the Field Operations Guide. As a delegate of the FTA, the Field Supervisor may step into this
workflow throughout the day.
Occasionally the Field Supervisor may have feedback or requests for the Head Referee in the pursuit of
efficient match flow. It is recommended that the Field Supervisor discuss this with the FTA rather than
approaching the Head Referee directly. Similarly, if the Head Referee has feedback or requests of the
Field Supervisor, it is recommended that the Field Supervisor involve the FTA in the discussion.
Emcees and Game Announcers
Occasionally the Field Supervisor may have feedback or requests of Emcees or Game Announcers in
the pursuit of efficient match flow. Keeping open and collaborative communication with these
volunteers throughout the day is a good strategy for success. While these volunteers may not always
be able to accommodate the Field Supervisor’s feedback and requests within the guidelines of their
role, the Field Supervisor should keep them apprised of how well matches adhere to the published
schedule. In case of disagreement, involve the FTA early in the discussion.

End of the Day
Once the event has concluded, the Field Supervisor should assist the FTA with leading the teardown of
the arena. This can be a chaotic period, and having a plan for teardown and load-out is important.
Complete a final check-in with the FTA to share notes on successes and issues faced during the event.
At the end of the day, walk away from the event knowing you have done your absolute best to be an
exemplary role model and provide an exceptional event experience.

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Team Interaction and Support
When interacting with teams please always consider the team’s perspective. The teams have put
significant time and effort into preparing for this event and may be feeling very stressed about
everything working out as they have planned. Today is a very big deal for the team and we are here to
help!
While it is our job to help guide the teams to a successful event, it is their responsibility to follow the
rules and be on time for judging and matches.
If you feel there is an issue with an individual or several individuals from a team that warrants specific
intervention beyond just a kind reminder, please consult with the FTA.

Note: the only person at an event who can give an official warning or
issue a yellow/red card is the Head Referee. Please refer more severe
issues to the Head Referee and notify the Program Delivery Partner.

Be cautious about passing on any negative feedback about any teams directly to the Judges or Judge
Advisor (JA), because it is not possible to know all the contributing factors around such a complaint or
observation. If there are issues which are repeated or egregious follow the process for Reporting
Other Issues or Concernsand inform the Program Delivery Partner. The Judge Advisor may seek
feedback from the Event Director to determine if there is any relevant information to provide the Judges
for their evaluation process.

Emergencies
The Program Delivery Partner, Event Director and the event site host organization are responsible for
having safety and security plans in place for each event. Included in the plan should be topics such as:
• A map of all the emergency exits
• Knowledge of where on-site medical support is located
• Shelter in place plans in the case of severe weather
• Evacuation plans
Teams should have their own safety plans before attending the event. Here are some team-focused
recommendations for Preparing to Safely Attend a FIRST^® Event.
Lost Children
FIRST^® Tech Challenge events can be very hectic, and it can be easy for a child to get lost amongst the
shuffle of a busy event. Ensure you have a plan prior to the event in the instance of a lost child.
In some cases, the team roster will list Coach phone numbers which can be used to reunite team
members, in some regions they collect “Day-of” cell phone numbers from each team at check in.
Coordinate your plan with your Program Delivery Partner.
Code Adam Guidelines (www.missingkids.com/CodeAdam) are also a great resource.

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Medical Incident Reporting
Event volunteers are not responsible for diagnosing student injuries,
handing out medication, or first aid equipment. You and other event
volunteers should refer medical issues and emergencies to a medical
professional on site, such as an EMT. If an incident or illness occurs at
an event, the Event Director, Pit Administrator, or another trained
delegate should do the following:
• Call 911 if there is any question whether the injured
person/persons require urgent medical attention.

• Respond to the scene immediately. Bring a clipboard, pen, or
www.firstinspires.org/report
electronic device to complete the incident report on theFIRST^®
Reporting Portal.
• Complete the incident report for the injured party.

The Event Director or Pit Administration volunteers are responsible for completing incident reports.
Although most incidents will not result in a claim, it is better to act on the side of caution and report
them. Should an incident result in a claim after the event, the documents will be on file, complete with
witnesses and a written report.
Youth-Protection Reporting
Issues that are non-medical but are of concern to a
participant/participants should also be reported. Anything that
happens during an event that made a youth volunteer, team
member or spectator feel uncomfortable or threatened should
be addressed.
As appropriate and if you feel safe doing to, speak directly with
the offending party and try to quickly and calmly defuse the

immediate issue. Call the Event Director and/or the Program
www.firstinspires.org/report
Delivery Partner and inform them of the issue and seek
assistance as needed with any immediate remediation of the issue.
Ensure all issues are reported in a timely manner using theFIRST^® Reporting Portal.Youth Protection
Concerns encompasses a wide variety of one-time or ongoing issues such as suspected abuse,
bullying, harassment, discrimination, questionable behavior, or violation to the FIRST^® Code of Conduct.
Reporting Other Issues or Concerns
Feedback about issues such as game play, rule changes,
awards, and event management (other than
medical/safety issues) are considered program related
concerns and not youth protection issues and should be
shared with FIRST via customerservice@firstinspires.org
or bycontacting support.
Please note that match results and award results are final
help.firstinspires.org/s/contactsupport
and that we will not review match videos.
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Safety
An important priority for all volunteers is to observe their event areas to help promote a safe and
orderly space for all the participants. It’s likely that various volunteers and event participants will bring
concerns to your attention, but you should also be proactive in identifying areas of concern.
Prioritize working with the teams to help identify and correct potential safety issues in the area. Please
review the section aboutTeam Interaction and Supportfor the best ways to work with teams on
making changes.
Safety Glasses and Closed Toe Shoes
All volunteers, teams, coach/mentors, and spectators are required to have safety glasses and wear
closed toe shoes while in the pit and competition areas. It is important to watch out for anyone entering
these areas without proper personal protective Equipment (PPE) and to ask them to put on proper PPE
before entering. Some events will have volunteers staffed at the pit entrance with spare safety glasses
to pass out. Other events may not have spares to provide.
Pit Spaces
Specific rules governing what teams can have and do in their pit space are covered in the game
manual, but the Event Directors may add additional restrictions which must be published before the
event based on limitations set by the venue.
Common areas where teams need help to stay safe and within the rules:
• No open flames or sparks
• Power tools are generally permitted as long as they are not causing damage to the venue
• Aisles, walkways, and doors should be clear of obstructions
• Teams may set-up practice spaces as long as they are fully within their designated space
• No structure may be taller than 10′

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Important Tools
Public Schedule
The Program Delivery Partner or the Event Director should publish the public schedule of events before
the event. This schedule will have a high-level overview of all the activities for the event. It is important
that everyone at the event does their best to stay true to the public schedule so that teams and
volunteers who have planned their day around these times have a good experience.

Time
Agenda
7:15 am
Doors Open for Staff & Key Volunteers
7:30 am
Judges and Inspectors Report
8:00 am
Doors Open for Teams
8:30 am
Judging & Inspection Commences
10:15 am Team Check-in Hard Deadline (Check the Competition Manual)
Match schedule is generated and distributed to teams. (Check the Competition Manual)
10:30 am Note to Scorekeeper: 6 Matches total(Check the Competition Manual)
10:40 am Drivers’ Meeting with Head Referee & Opening Ceremony
Qualification Matches 1 - 8
11:00 am Note to Scorekeeper: 7-minute cycle-time
12:00 pm Lunch
Qualification Matches 9 - 45
12:45 pm Note to Scorekeeper: 5-minute cycle-times
3:50 pm
Qualification Matches Projected End
4:00 pm
Alliance Selection
4:20 pm
Double Elimination Rounds 1 - 4
5:10 pm
Award Ceremonies Start & Double Eliminations Round 5
6:20 pm
Projected End of Event
7:00 pm
Doors Close
Occasionally things that happen out of the event’s control may impact the schedule. In these cases,
work closely with the Event Director to understand the updated agenda.
Figure 1: Example Schedule for a 30 Team Event

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Registered Teams List
The Program Delivery Partner may provide a list of teams registered for the event or the scorekeeper
can export a report of all the registered teams for the event. Sometimes this list may change the day of
the event based on which teams show up. The Scorekeeper report will have the most accurate
information about who is competing at an event. Notes that teams may be competing only in the
judging portion of the event and not have a robot present.
Figure 2: Competing Team Report

Volunteer Roster
The Volunteer Coordinator or the Program Delivery Partner will have access to a list of applied and
assigned volunteers for the event.

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Event Layout/Map
The Program Delivery Partner and Event Director should publish a map of the venue before the event. In
some cases, details on the map might not be available until the day of the event.
The Event Layout / Map should detail the following:
• Load-In Path
• Parking for Personal Vehicles and Busses
• Team Check-in
• Volunteer Check-in
• Competition Area
• Pit Area (May include thePit Map)
• Judging Room Locations (if applicable)
• Safety Details as available (Emergency Exits, AED, Shelter in Place Locations)

Figure 3: Example Event Map
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Judging Schedule

Figure 4: Example Judging Schedule
Match Schedule
The match list will be generated on the day of the event after the teams have been confirmed. This
schedule will list which teams will play in which alliance (Red or Blue) and it will also list a match start
time see Figure 5.Some events will have more than one competition field. Some events will have more
than one division, in which case each division will have its own schedule.

Figure 5: Example Match Schedule

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Pit Map
Pit maps are typically provided by either the Event Director or by the Scorekeeper. Having a map of
where each team is in the pit is key, as teams, parents or Queuers might need to find. Below are two
sample pit mapsin Figure 6andFigure 7. Pit Maps created in FTC Scoring will appear on theFTC-
Eventspage.

Figure 6: Example Pit Map for a small12-team Qualifier Event

Figure 7: Example Pit Map for a Typical Regional Championship Event

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Useful Links and Information
On-Call Support Numbers
On-Call Support
These numbers are for volunteer support only. Teams should not use these numbers
to call about rulings or technical assistance.

Administrative, Judge, Referee and Non-Technical Issues:
(603)206-2412

Scoring System (FTC Live) or other Technical Issues:

(603)206-2450
Call or use the built-in chat feature on FTC Live available for events with internet
access

Pre-Event Support
Mon – Fri
8:30am – 5:00pm Eastern Time (UTC-4 or UTC-5)
Contact Supportincluding live chat or emailcustomerservice@firstinspires.org

Program Resources
FIRST^® Tech Challenge Website
Event Search

Game and Season Resources
FIRST^® Tech Challenge Blog

Volunteer Resources
Team Email Blasts

Feedback
We strive to create support materials that are the best they can be. If you have feedback about this
manual, please emailcustomerservice@firstinspires.orgor bycontacting support. Thank you!

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Document Outline

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