– FIRST Tech Challenge DECODE Season Guide

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Overview
Job Description
TheFIRST Technical Advisor(FTA) is a highly visible leadership role responsible for ensuring the
smooth technical operation of the competition field. FTAs advocate for teams, resolve field and robot
control issues, and work with other volunteers and staff to ensure a safe and successful event.
The FTA is a key volunteer position at any FIRST^® Tech Challenge event, but the responsibilities and
skills required may be different depending on the size of the event and which other volunteer roles are
staffed. At smaller events with reduced volunteer staffing, the FTA may perform some of the
responsibilities of the Field Supervisor,Technical Director,Control System Advisor(CSA), and Wi-Fi
Technical Advisor(WTA) roles. At larger events, events with multiple divisions, or events with unusual
needs, the FTA may provide leadership to other individuals in these roles.
Regardless of a particular event’s needs, the FTA can expect to spend their time communicating about
technical matters, setting up and tearing down events, and working to ensure a successful event.

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

Time Commitment
Significant pre-event training is required (at least 4–8 hours). FTAs are expected to be present at
events whenever the event is open to teams and/or public. Typically, this means FTAs are among the
first volunteers to arrive and among the last to leave each event day.
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 in the Pre-Event Training section.
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.
FTAs should contact theEvent Directorto collaborate on event planning and learn about pre-event
meetings, venue walkthroughs, and setup plans.
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.

For the 2025–2026 season, the FTA role has transitioned from a role
focused primarily on technical matters to an event leadership role.
Additional training resources will be developed to support this change.

Core Responsibilities
The responsibilities and skills required by the FTA role may be different depending on the size of the
event and which volunteer roles are staffed.
• Together with the Event Director, ensure FIRST^® Tech Challenge events provide an
exceptional team experience where participants feel safe and supported.
• Collaborate with the Event Director to create and execute the Event Technical Checklist.
• Act as a liaison between FIRST^® and event staff and volunteers by providing guidance on topics
related to the field, robots, and game.
• Communicate with FIRST^® and local Program Delivery Partner(s) to report on successes and
issues at events with the goal of continuously improving team experience.
• Provide leadership over field operations and volunteers; perform the duties of Field Supervisor
at events where such a role is not staffed.
• Provide leadership over technical operations and volunteers; perform the duties of Technical
Directorat events where such a role is not staffed.
• Provide leadership over the inspection process; perform the duties of Lead Robot Inspector
(LRI) at events where such a role is not staffed.
• In collaboration with the LRI, FTA Assistant(s), and Control System Advisor(s), take reasonable
steps to ensure that teams can participate to their highest level possible and provide guidance
regarding the challenges they face.
• In collaboration with the Head Referee,ensure that matches are carried out effectively, fairly,
and promptly.
• Mediate and de-escalate conflicts that may arise between participants, volunteers, and staff.
• Serve as a model for Gracious Professionalism^®.

Core Skills
Highly successful FTAs develop the following skills, regardless of event structure:
• Empathetic and clear communication with volunteers and participants of all ages.
• Leadership and decision-making skills to work with technical volunteers and teams, as needed.

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• Technical problem-solving in:
o The Android-based control systems used by teams,
o Desktop operating systems (OS) used by the FTC-Live scoring system,
o Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi direct systems used for robot control and scorekeeping activity,
o Common materials used by teams in the construction of their robots,
o The FTC-Live scoring system itself, and
o The current season’s playing field.

Reporting Structure
FTAs report directly to FIRSTstaff and Global Key Technology Volunteers for technical support, and
act as their representatives at events. They collaborate with the Event Director to create and execute
the Event Technical Checklist. FTAs also report to local Program Delivery Partners.
At larger events, the FTA provides
leadership to the Field Supervisor and CSA
roles. They collaborate with the Technical
Director, who leads the Scorekeeper and
WTA roles. Some large events, especially
those with multiple divisions, may introduce
a hierarchy of FTAs (Lead FTA, Division
FTAs). See the Tournament Guidefor
recommended staffing of field and technical
roles.
At smaller events where any of the Field Supervisor, CSA,
Technical Director, or WTA roles are unstaffed, the FTA will
assume the responsibilities of those roles to the extent that
their time allows. It is not expected that an FTA will perform all
the responsibilities of these roles at smaller events; this manual
and other training resources will help FTAs prioritize their time
amongst the areas of focus.
In practice, the FTA will:
• Empower Field Supervisors to manage the flow of
matches and maintain the fields. In the absence of a
Field Supervisor volunteer, the FTA should focus on troubleshooting issues that may delay
match play and fixing the field, as necessary.
• Empower CSAs to provide in-depth technical support to teams. In the absence of a CSA
volunteer, the FTA can provide high-level triage and advice to teams as time allows.
• Empower the Technical Director to manage the electronic systems and wireless environment at
the event. In the absence of a Technical Director volunteer, the FTA should ensure support for
scorekeeping activities and address wireless environment issues that affect team experience.
• Empower Scorekeepers to support the efficient flow of matches. In the absence of a
Scorekeeper volunteer, the FTA should enable another volunteer, such as the Head Referee, to
perform required match start and score posting actions.
• Empower WTAs to monitor and address wireless environment issues. In the absence of a WTA
volunteer, the FTA should prioritize wireless environment issues that affect team experience.
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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 FTA reviews the Pre-Event Training resources listed in the
checklist below. These training materials will help FTAs to pass the required certification test.
The training materials provide the technical knowledge needed to keep a competition running smoothly
and fulfill FTA responsibilities at an event. Scheduled monthly key role discussion calls provide an
opportunity to ask questions and share ideas and feedback with other FTAs. Learning ahead of time
will go a long way towards keeping the event running smoothly and on time.
Mastering the FIRST^® Tech Challenge technology requires specialized study. The robot electronics and
behaviors are unique to the FIRST^® Tech Challenge program and completing the pre-competition
checklist below will help the FTA prepare for their highly visible volunteer role and help assure a fun and
successful competition day. The underlined document names are hyperlinks to public documents on
the FIRST^® Tech Challenge website. The remaining documents are stored in theFIRST^® Traininglearning
management system (LMS) and in the FTC Resource Library.
Outlined below are responsibilities an FTA has before the event day. Make sure to check with the Event
Director to see if they need help setting up before the event.
Pre-Event Training
FIRST Technical Advisors 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:

FIRST Technical Advisor Pre-Event Training List
Requirement
Resource
Required
Welcome to FIRST^®
Required
FIRST Technical Advisor Manual(this document)
Competition Manual, specifically:
• Section 5 — Event Rules
• Section 8 — Game Overview
• Section 9 – ARENA
Required
• Section 10 – Game Details
• Section 11 – Game Rules
• Section 12 – ROBOT Construction Rules
• 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
Field Reset Guide
Event Technical Checklist, which guides Event Directors and FTAs
Required
on the technical planning of an event
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FIRST Technical Advisor Pre-Event Training List
Control System Troubleshooting Guide,which reviews common
Required
issues with the Android-based control system
Required
Robot Wiring Guide
Required
Wi-Fi Event Planning Guideand included Wireless Event Checklist
Team Updates(published every Thursday), which may contain
Encouraged
important updates to the Competition Manual
FTC Live Setup Guideprovides guidance on event data transfer,
Encouraged
setting up FTC Live software, hardware and network, and workflow
for event management system features.
Encouraged
REV Control System Docs
Encouraged
Attend the monthly FTA conference calls
Join the FTC Technology Support Volunteer Slack workspace by
Encouraged
invitation from your local Program Delivery Partner
Encouraged
Complete Strategies for Inspiring Success for All modules.
Informational
Playing Field Resources
Informational
Watch the game animation videofor an overview of the game
Review the FTC Q&A System, a resource for teams that may be
Informational
useful for rule clarifications.
Complete theFIRSTTechnical Advisor 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
The FTA should perform the following tasks prior to every event:
• Discuss event planning and setup with the Event Director using theEvent Technical Checklist.
• Verify with the Technical Director (or, if that role is not staffed, ensure) that a wireless survey of
the venue has been conducted as described in theWi-Fi Event Guide. Select preliminary Wi-Fi
channels for robot communication, the FTC-Live scoring network, and any other Wi-Fi
infrastructure needed to run the event.
• Verify the field and technical volunteer staffing levels with the Volunteer Coordinator and Event
Director. Recommended levels of staffing can be found in the Tournament Guide.
• Verify that the Lead Robot Inspector (LRI) has the necessary materials for the event.
• Verify with the Lead Scorekeeper or Event Director that theFTC Live Setup Guidehas been
completed.
• Collect and verify all passwords and codes for the computers and devices that will be used.
• Read the latest Team Updatesfor important changes to the Competition Manual.
• Read announcements in the #all-announcements channel of the FTC Technology Support
Volunteer Slack workspace. Invitations are available from your local Program Delivery Partner or
regional lead technology volunteers.
Recommended Staffing
The FTA should collaborate with the Event Director and Volunteer Coordinator to determine an
appropriate level of staffing for field and technical roles. See the Tournament Guidefor recommended
levels of staffing for events of various types and sizes.
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Event Management System
Prior to the event, the Lead Scorekeeper is responsible for working with the FTC Scoring Event, League,
or Region Admin or Manager to configure the event in FTC Scoring(the cloud scoring software). Then,
they are responsible for setting up, testing, and operatingFTC-Live(the local scoring software). These
responsibilities may be shared with the FTA or Event Director.
• In FTC Scoring, configure the event with teams, leagues (when applicable), and other event
information. This requires the help of an FTC Scoring Event, League, or Region Admin/Manager.
• Within three days prior to the event, update FTC-Live and download the latest data from FIRST^®.
o Go toFTC Scoringto download the FTC-Live setup wizard, if needed, and review the
latest release notes.
o If FTC-Live is already installed, re-open the application to download automatic updates.
• 2-3 days prior to the event, FTC-Live must be pre-loaded with the event configuration. Review
the process of transferring data to FTC-Live in the FTC-Live Setup Guide.
o This can be done by FTA, Lead Scorekeeper, FTC Scoring League or Region
Admin/Manager.
• Test the software system, tablets, and logins at least a week prior to the competition.
• Test the scoring system again during event setup and the morning of the event.
During event setup, the FTA should verify with the Lead Scorekeeper that they successfully completed
these pre-event tests. Issues with the setup or operation of FTC-Live may require the FTA’s assistance.
For more information, see the FTC-Live Setup Guide.
Event Setup
Competition setup generally occurs on the day before the event. Prior to setup, the FTA should check in
with the Event Director and discuss any changes to the pre-event planning. Printed copies of diagrams
and theEvent Technical Checklistare valuable tools for setup. See the Tournament Guidefor more
information about event planning and layout.
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 the Field 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.
Following is an overview of the FTA’s focus during event setup:
• Lead the setup of the arena and all competition and practice fields, empowering the Field
Supervisor to lead the process (if staffed).
• Advise the Event Director on decisions related to event setup.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director (if staffed) and Scorekeeper to set up the FTC-Live
scoring network and related infrastructure:
o Main scoring computer running FTC-Live
o Division scoring controllers (if necessary)
o Wired and wireless networks
o Audience and Field Timer displays
• Collaborate with the Scorekeeper to print a copy of FTC-Live account login information.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director or WTA (if staffed) to confirm Wi-Fi channel allocations
for robot communication, the FTC-Live scoring network, and any other Wi-Fi infrastructure
needed to run the event based on the wireless environment.
o QR codes for Wi-Fi assignment can be obtained by the Scorekeeper through FTC-Live.
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Feel free to use the tech support telephone number inOn-Call Support Numbersto contact on-call
technical support if there are any problems with setup or the wireless spectrum on event day.
Required Event Day Equipment and Document List for the FTA
• 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.
• Small battery-powered flashlight or headlamp.
• Multi-function Voltmeter/Ammeter/Ohmmeter with probes.
• A pair of FIRST^® Tech Challenge approved Android devices, with
o Current FTC Robot Controller app installed on one device,
o Current FTC Driver Station app installed on the other device, and
o Wi-Fi Analyzer app (available from the Google Play Store) installed on a device.
• USB flash drive with current FIRST^® Tech Challenge apps (driver station, robot controller)
• Hardcopy or electronic copy of theFTA Manual(this document)
• Hardcopy or electronic copy of theField Operations Guide
• Hardcopy or electronic copy of theControl System Troubleshooting Guide
• Hardcopy or electronic copy of theWi-Fi Event Checklist

FTA Topics for Emphasis
The following are important topics the FTA 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.
Electronic Inspection Checklists and Tracking
Automated inspection checklists and inspection status tracking are available in FTC-Live. Inspectors
can use tablets or computers connected to the scoring system network to complete the inspection
checklists and track team inspection status.
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.
FTA Notepad
The FTC-Live scoring software has an optional FTA user role that can be used to take notes related to
team and match issues via a tablet or computer. See the FTC-Live Setup Guideappendix on the FTA
Notepad for more information.
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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.
Disabled Robots
The FTA should advise the Head Referee as soon as possible if a robot is non-functional. If this occurs
before the start of the match, the team may be allowed to remove their robot while match play
continues. Only a Referee can declare a robot is disabled as this may impact match outcomes.
Question Box
Teams may use the question box to ask the FTA questions in addition to asking the Head Referee
questions. See the Question Box section of theField Operations Guidefor examples.

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. FTAs are expected to be present at events whenever the event is open to
teams and/or public. Typically, this means FTAs are among the first volunteers to arrive. When you
arrive onsite, check in with the Volunteer Coordinator and Event Director.
Schedule Mindset
A valued measure of event quality is starting and finishing on time. FTAs are well-positioned to ensure
a smooth and successful event. For a deeper discussion of this topic and strategies the FTA can use
for success, see the Schedule Mindset section of theField Operations Guide.
Event Day for the FIRSTTechnical Advisor
The following is an overview of the FTA’s focus on event day:
• Check in with the Event Director throughout the day and advise them on important decisions.
• Verify that the Lead Robot Inspector is prepared for the scheduled start of inspection.
Periodically check the status of inspection and provide leadership when necessary.
• Meet with the Head Referee to discuss the match workflow and if there are any topics the Head
Referee would like the FTA to cover during the driver’s meeting.
• Oversee practice matches and robot sensor calibration as described in the Practice Matches
and Sensor Calibration sections of the Field Operations Guide.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director (if staffed) and Scorekeeper to test the scoring system.
• Oversee creation of the qualification match schedule. Before publication, verify the draft against
the eventPublic Scheduleand seek approval of the timing from the Event Director.
• Attend opening ceremonies and be prepared to start the first match immediately afterwards.
• Lead field operations and field staff volunteers during qualification matches and playoff rounds
as described in theField Operations Guide.
• Lead Control System Advisors in their goal of providing in-depth technical support to teams.
• Collaborate with WTAs (if staffed) to address wireless environment issues.
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At smaller events where the FTA covers multiple roles, it is not expected that the FTA will perform all
their duties. Ensuring the safe and efficient flow of matches is the highest priority.
Volunteer Interaction
As an event leader, the FTA interacts and collaborates with many volunteers on event day. The
following is an outline of key volunteer relationships the FTA should maintain.
Event Director
On event day, the FTA and Event Directorwork together to execute the Event Technical Checklist.
Successful events stem from a high level of trust and understanding between the FTA and Event
Director, along with the planning they completed before event day. The FTA advises the Event Director
on best practices outlined in the Tournament Guide,Field Operations Guide, an d FTC-Live Setup Guide
and leads others according to the Event Director’s decisions.
Head Referee
As a fellow event leader, theHead Refereeand FTA collaborate to ensure that matches are carried out
effectively, fairly, and promptly. A gracious and professional relationship between the FTA and Head
Referee is critical to a smooth and successful event. FIRST^® strongly recommends that FTAs and Head
Referees follow the FTA & Head Referee Workflow outlined in the Field Operations Guide. Before the
start of matches, the FTA and Head Referee should meet to discuss the workflow. The FTA can assure
the Head Referee that field staff will provide timely assistance to teams using the steps documented in
theControl System Troubleshooting Guideand make the difficult decision to start a match with a non-
functional robot when necessary.
Technical Director
At events that staff the Technical Directorrole, the FTA should check in with the Technical Director
during event setup and early on event day to ensure that the technical systems supporting the field are
ready for action. Familiarity with the volunteers and technical systems will be helpful for quickly
resolving any issues that arise during the event.
Volunteer Coordinator
Upon arrival at the event, the FTA should check in with the Volunteer Coordinator. If any of the roles
that the FTA leads (Field Supervisor, Control System Advisor, etc.) are staffed at the event, this serves
as an opportunity to confirm the final level of staffing and meet any unfamiliar volunteers.
End of the Day
After the event, the FTA leads the teardown of the arena. This can be a chaotic period, and it is often
worthwhile for the FTA to organize the efforts of other volunteers.
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 ensure that the competition was fair for all teams. These are the ultimate
goals of the FIRST Technical Advisor position.

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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 ensure the correct stakeholders for the team are
aware. Here is a generally acceptable process when working with a student or team who you need to
change their behavior:
The ABCs of Managing Team Behaviors
Do not directly reprimand a student one-on-one without an adult
from their team present. Ask the student to bring an adult who is
Ask for an Adult
responsible for the team to meet you, before moving forward with
any discussion about the concerns at hand.
Is the environment conducive for the feedback you are about to
Be aware of the
give? Is it loud in the area where you are? Are there other teams
Environment
around that may hear the reprimand? Moving the conversation to
a quieter, more private space as needed can be helpful.
(Offer a) Clear
Explain the concern to the team and offer clear examples of the
Explanation
behavior that is concerning.
Offer the opportunity for students and adults to ask clarifying
Discuss any Questions
questions
Outline with the students and adults what the next steps are if the
Explain Next Steps
issue is not corrected. Certain behaviors may include the risk of
yellow cards

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 these 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.
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Teams may only be completely disqualified from awards consideration for very rare egregious actions
and only with approval from FIRST^® HQ. The Event Director and/or JA should call the on-call number to
discuss the issue.
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.
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 a
electronic device to complete the incident report on theFIRST^®
Reporting Portal.
• Complete the incident report for the injured party.

www.firstinspires.org/report

The Event Director or Pit Administration volunteers are responsible for completing incident reports.

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Best Practices for Incident Reporting
Anyone handling incident reporting should have a calm demeanor. They
Be Calm
should be able to collect information and talk to witnesses without assessing
fault.
In all conversations with the injured, witnesses, spectators, and/or media
always say "the incident is being investigated" without any further comment.
Be ConciseIt is not the job of the report collector to provide any opinions on the situation
at hand.
Be Risk
Do not imply liability or any payment, as no one knows for sure until all the
Conscious
facts are collected.
Those taking in incident reports should be able to communicate with the
insurance company if necessary. They should also be aware of who they
Be Preparedneed to share incidents with, including the local Program Delivery
Organization or the Event Director.

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
www.firstinspires.org/report
be addressed.
As appropriate and if you feel safe doing so, speak directly with the offending party and try to quickly
and calmly defuse the immediate issue. Call the Event Director and/or the Program 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 is 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 and closed-heel 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 Competition
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 if they are not causing damage to the venue.
• Aisles, walkways, and doors should be clear of obstructions.
• Teams may set up practice spaces if they are fully within their designated space.
• No structure may be taller than 10 feet.

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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

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.
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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.
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)

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Figure 3: Example Event Map
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 4. Some events will have more than one competition field and/or more than one
division, and each division will have its own schedule.

Figure 4: Example Match Schedule
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 Pit Maps created
in FTC Scoring will appear on the FTC-Eventspage.
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Figure 5: Example Pit Map for a small 12-team Qualifier Event

Figure 6: 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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