Welcome to the FTC Game Manual Part 1, your guide to understanding the rules, gameplay, and scoring for the FIRST Tech Challenge․ This manual provides essential details to ensure a fair and enjoyable competition experience for all participants․
Overview of the FTC Program
FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) is a student-centered program designed to inspire young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)․ Founded by Dean Kamen, FTC provides a platform for students to design, build, and program robots to compete in annual games․ The program emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and Gracious Professionalism, fostering a culture of respect and collaboration․ FTC offers both traditional in-person events and remote competitions, allowing teams to engage in challenges tailored to different settings․ The FTC Game Manual Part 1 serves as the primary resource for understanding rules, gameplay, and scoring for these events․ Updated annually, it ensures fairness and clarity, helping teams prepare effectively for the competition․ By participating, students gain hands-on experience in robotics and leadership, making FTC a transformative experience for young innovators․
Purpose of the Game Manual
The FTC Game Manual Part 1 is designed to provide clear, comprehensive guidelines for teams participating in FIRST Tech Challenge competitions․ Its primary purpose is to outline the rules, scoring systems, eligibility criteria, and gameplay specifics to ensure a fair and consistent experience for all participants․ The manual serves as a foundational resource for teams, coaches, and mentors, helping them understand the structure and expectations of the competition․ It also includes essential information about traditional, remote, and hybrid events, ensuring adaptability to different competition formats․ By adhering to the manual, teams can prepare effectively, comply with regulations, and focus on achieving their best performance․ Regular updates ensure the manual reflects the latest changes, making it a critical tool for success in the FTC program․
Structure of the Competition
The FTC competition combines traditional, remote, and hybrid events, offering diverse participation options․ It emphasizes robot design, strategic gameplay, and scoring systems, fostering innovation and teamwork․
Traditional Events
Traditional events in FTC are in-person competitions where teams gather to compete with their robots on a physical field․ These events feature live matches, where robots perform tasks to earn points․ Teams showcase their engineering skills, strategic gameplay, and teamwork․ Traditional events include qualifying matches and finals, with winners advancing to higher levels like the FIRST Championship․ These events emphasize Gracious Professionalism, fostering respect and sportsmanship among competitors․ They are a cornerstone of the FTC program, providing an immersive experience for students to apply their technical and collaborative abilities in a dynamic, competitive environment․ The structure ensures fair play and clear scoring, making traditional events a thrilling and educational experience for all participants․
Remote Events
Remote events in FTC allow teams to compete virtually, enabling participation from locations worldwide․ These events use digital platforms for match play and judging, ensuring accessibility and flexibility․ Robots are operated remotely or pre-recorded, with scores calculated based on performance data․ Remote events maintain fair competition through standardized rules and scoring systems․ They also include virtual judging sessions, where teams present their designs and strategies to judges․ This format promotes inclusivity, allowing teams with limited resources or travel constraints to join․ Remote events are a key component of FTC, offering a modern and innovative way to engage in the competition while upholding the program’s core values of innovation and collaboration․ They provide a unique opportunity for global connectivity and skill development in a virtual setting․
Hybrid Events
Hybrid events combine traditional in-person match play with remote judging interviews, offering a balanced approach for teams․ Robots compete on the field as in traditional events, while judging sessions are conducted via video conferencing․ This format allows teams to showcase their robots’ performance in real-time and present their designs and strategies remotely to judges․ Hybrid events aim to maintain the excitement of in-person competition while leveraging technology for efficiency and accessibility․ They are particularly useful for teams that prefer face-to-face robot interactions but also value the convenience of remote judging․ This blend of formats ensures that all aspects of the competition, from gameplay to judging, are conducted fairly and effectively, providing a comprehensive experience for participants․ Hybrid events reflect FTC’s adaptability to different team needs and technological advancements․ They ensure that the competition remains engaging and inclusive for all participants, regardless of their location or resources․
Game Manual Specifics
The FTC Game Manual Part 1 outlines essential details for competition, including game rules, scoring systems, and event types․ Regular updates ensure clarity and fairness for all participants․
Revision History and Updates
The FTC Game Manual Part 1 is regularly updated to ensure clarity and fairness․ Version 1․3, released on November 15, 2023, includes revisions to improve gameplay and accessibility․ Updates often address rule clarifications, such as scoring adjustments or eligibility criteria․ Teams must stay informed about the latest revisions, as they are binding for all competitions․ Revision details are documented in the manual’s history section, highlighting key changes and their effective dates․ Coaches and participants are encouraged to download the most recent version from the official FTC website․ Failure to adhere to updated rules may result in penalties or disqualification․ Regular checks for new versions ensure compliance and a level playing field for all teams․
Key Sections of the Manual
The FTC Game Manual Part 1 is divided into essential sections designed to guide teams through the competition․ The manual begins with an introduction to the FTC program, explaining its mission and structure․ It then outlines the purpose of the game manual, ensuring teams understand its role in governing the competition․ Key sections include eligibility criteria, gameplay rules, and scoring systems․ Additional sections cover remote and hybrid events, providing detailed instructions for varying competition formats․ The manual also emphasizes Gracious Professionalism, a core value of FIRST, encouraging respect and sportsmanship․ Finally, it provides resources for staying updated on revisions and accessing additional tools like CAD designs and programming guides․ These sections collectively ensure teams are well-prepared to compete fairly and effectively․
Rules and Regulations
The FTC Game Manual Part 1 outlines rules governing gameplay, scoring, penalties, and disqualifications, ensuring fair play and adherence to competition standards․
General Rules and Guidelines
The FTC Game Manual Part 1 establishes foundational rules for team participation, robot construction, and competition conduct․ Teams must adhere to guidelines ensuring fair play, sportsmanship, and safety․ Robots must comply with size, weight, and material restrictions, while programming and autonomous functions must meet specified criteria․ Matches are governed by timed periods, alliance rules, and scoring protocols․ Penalties apply for rule violations, such as illegal actions or unsportsmanlike behavior․ Teams are expected to demonstrate Gracious Professionalism, respecting opponents and referees․ These guidelines ensure a consistent and equitable environment for all participants, fostering innovation and teamwork while maintaining the integrity of the competition․
Match Rules and Scoring
Matches in FTC competitions are divided into timed periods, with teams earning points based on their robot’s performance․ The game is typically split into autonomous and driver-controlled modes, with specific objectives for each phase․ Points are awarded for completing tasks such as moving robots, manipulating game pieces, or achieving specific goals․ Scoring elements vary by season but often include bonuses for alliances and endgame actions․ Penalties may be applied for rule violations, such as illegal actions or interference․ Teams must adhere to match timing, alliance rules, and field boundaries to avoid disqualification․ The scoring system ensures fair competition, rewarding strategic gameplay and precise execution․ Understanding these rules is crucial for maximizing points and securing a competitive edge in matches․
Penalties and Disqualifications
Penalties and disqualifications are enforced to maintain fair play and adherence to FTC rules․ Penalties may be imposed for rule violations, such as illegal robot modifications, unsportsmanlike conduct, or interference with the field or opponents․ Disqualifications are reserved for severe or repeated offenses, resulting in a team being removed from the competition․ Penalties are typically applied in the form of point deductions or match disqualifications, while disqualifications can lead to exclusion from advancement or awards․ Teams have the opportunity to appeal decisions through the referees or tournament officials, ensuring transparency and fairness․ Understanding these guidelines is essential for teams to avoid setbacks and maintain eligibility for competition․
Using the Manual Effectively
Mastering the FTC Game Manual Part 1 ensures compliance with rules and optimal performance․ Regularly review updates and key sections to stay informed and competitive․
Navigating the Document
Navigating the FTC Game Manual Part 1 is straightforward when you understand its structure․ The document begins with an introduction to the FTC program and the purpose of the manual․ It then outlines the competition structure, including traditional, remote, and hybrid events․ Key sections include revision history, gameplay rules, and scoring details․ Use the table of contents to quickly locate specific topics, such as eligibility criteria or penalty guidelines․ Pay attention to revision dates, as updates are regularly released․ Familiarize yourself with terms like Gracious Professionalism and key gameplay elements․ Refer to the FTC website for archived manuals and additional resources․ By systematically reviewing each section, teams can ensure compliance and prepare effectively for competition․
Staying Updated with Revisions
Staying updated with revisions to the FTC Game Manual Part 1 is crucial for a successful competition season․ Regularly check the Revision History section to track changes, clarifications, and new guidelines․ Updates are typically released to address rule interpretations, technical specifications, or scoring adjustments․ Teams should monitor the FTC website and official communication channels for notifications․ Subscribe to email updates and follow FTC forums to stay informed․ Always use the most recent version of the manual, as outdated versions may contain superseded information․ Coaches and team leaders should communicate updates to their members promptly․ By staying vigilant, teams can avoid penalties and ensure compliance with the latest rules and regulations․