1. Aerial Drone Competition
  2. Competitions
  3. Preparing for a Competition

Competition Day Basics - Coaches/Teams

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Overview

A typical event consists of several different activities over the course of the day. These activities include:

  • Team check-in
  • Pit area set up
  • Inspection
  • Event Meeting (Opening Ceremony)
  • Qualifying Teamwork matches
  • Judging: Competition Logbooks and Interviews
  • Skills matches: Piloting and Autonomous
  • Alliance selection 
  • Elimination matches 
  • Awards ceremony (Closing Ceremony)

Safety at Events

  • Review the Safety Rules in the Competition Manual with all students and adults.

  • A responsible adult must accompany each team and be onsite throughout the event.

  • Adults must not interfere with student-centered learning or competition responsibilities.

  • Safety glasses or prescription glasses are required for anyone near the Mission fields.

  • Drones may only be flown in designated Flight Zones.
  • Violations of any safety rule may result in removal from the event.

Team Check-in

First Stop, Team check-in!   This is a designated area where coaches will inform the Check-in Volunteer Staff that their team has arrived. At team check-in, the  coach will receive any pertinent information that may include an inspection sheet, agenda, and/or venue map. 

Be sure that all team participants’ parents or guardians have either completed the Participant Release Form online or have completed a paper consent form prior to the event.  More information on participant release forms is available in this article.

  • All teams must be accompanied by an adult. The adult must be present during Team Check-in. 
  • If the event will be judging physical Competition Logbooks, these will be collected from teams at Team Check-in.

Team Pit Area

Teams will be assigned a  workspace (Pit) at the event. The “Pits” may be in the same room as the competition or in an area nearby. Each team will typically be provided with a table and chairs, as well as access to electricity to use for battery charging. 

Team Pit Areas will be labeled with a sign displaying the Team Number. Pits are arranged in numerical order.

Larger (Championship) events may have pipe and drape or canopies defining each team’s pit space and allow teams to decorate.  Check the event description for more details.

Flight Clearance Inspection

Prior to the start of qualifying or skills matches,  teams must receive a flight clearance to ensure they are in compliance with regulations. Refer to the Competition Manual and the Flight Clearance Inspection for additional details.

Inspection should be completed as soon as possible upon arrival to the event. 

Event Meeting (Opening Ceremony)

An event meeting is typically held in the main competition area and led by the Head Referee and/or the Event Partner. All participants, including students, coaches and other adults associated with the team, are expected to attend. In this meeting, safety, rules, and behavioral expectations will be reviewed. Event-specific information, like where to line up and/or any adjustments to the schedule, are also provided.

  • Practice areas and other activities will be closed during the Event Meeting to allow all participants to attend. 

Judging

Judges work as a team in a private area to review student logbooks and determine winners of judged awards under the guidance of an experienced Judge Advisor. Pairs/groups of judges interview student teams in their pits during the competition day.

Competition Logbooks may be submitted digitally (prior to the event) or physically (on the day of the event.) See the event details posted on Robotevents.com for specific details.

Matches

Teams compete in Teamwork , Autonomous Flight and Piloting Skills matches during an event to showcase their abilities.  The types of matches are described in detail below.

Practice Matches

Some events will provide teams with scheduled or unscheduled times for practice early in the day on competition fields, and/or provide a dedicated practice field that teams may use during the day.

Teamwork Mission - Matches, Alliances & Elimination Matches

  • Qualification Matches:  Each Qualification Match is played on the 20’X20’ field, is 90 seconds long, and consists of two teams (randomly paired) operating as an alliance to score points. Teams will play in a predetermined number of qualifying matches.  At the conclusion of the Qualification Matches, teams will be ranked based on their Qualification Match performance. 
  •  Alliance Selections:  During the Alliance Selection process, top ranked  teams will have priority in choosing the team they would like to play with in the Finals Matches. Details of the Alliance Selection process may be found in the Teamwork Mission  section of the Competition Manual.
  • Finals Matches: The number of teams participating in the Finals Matches is found in the Teamwork Mission Section of the Competition Manual and is determined by the number of teams at the event. Each alliance will play one match, with the highest scores advancing to the next bracket of finals play until a Champion is determined.  In the event of a tie, information on the tie breaking process can be found in the Teamwork Mission section of the Competition Manual.

Autonomous Flight Skills Mission Matches

Events have dedicated fields set up for teams to complete Skills Challenge matches on a first-come, first served basis. 

In the Autonomous Flight Skills Mission, Drones are programmed by Students to operate entirely autonomously.  Each Team will be given multiple attempts to complete their Autonomous Flight Skills Mission as defined by the Competition Manual. 

Teams will be ranked based on the combined Autonomous Flight Skills Mission and Piloting Skills Mission score.  The Team with the top combined score will be the Skills Missions Champion at that event.

The Autonomous Flight Mission section of the Competition Manual includes information on how a team's scores are calculated.

Piloting Skills Mission Matches

Events have dedicated fields set up for teams to complete Skills Challenge matches on a first-come, first served basis. 

In the Piloting Skills Mission, the Drone is Piloted by Students to fly through an obstacle course. Teams compete alone to score as many points as possible by flying through, under, and around obstacles. Each mission is 60 seconds and Teams will be allowed multiple attempts as defined by the Competition Manual.

Teams will be ranked based on combined autonomous flight skills mission and Piloting skills mission score. The Team with the top combined score will be the skills champion at that event.

The Piloting Skills Mission section of the Competition Manual includes information on how a team's scores are calculated.

Awards Ceremony (Closing Ceremony)

Events conclude with the distribution of awards to teams in the main competition area. Teams can earn Judged Awards and Performance Awards at most events. Event Partners work with the REC Foundation RSM to determine what awards can be offered at each event. The awards and their qualification status are on the Awards tab of the event at RECFevents.org.

Tips for a Great Competition Day

Tournaments are active and fast-paced. Here are a few tips to help your team stay organized and make the most of the competition experience:

  • Arrive early to get settled and review the venue layout.

  • Charge all batteries in advance and bring your chargers.

  • Pack snacks and water; keep your team hydrated and energized.

  • Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.

  • Make sure students know their team number and match schedule.

  • Assign a student to help track time and keep the team on schedule.

  • Label all equipment with your team number or contact name.

  • Encourage teamwork, communication, and learning through collaboration.

  • Be respectful to event staff, referees, and other teams.

  • Celebrate your team's efforts and have fun!