FTC Coach/Captain Call – December 11, 2025

By Mel Wade |

FTC CoachCaptain Call-20251211_203237-Meeting Recording.mp4

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Meeting notes:

  • Administrative Reminders and Event Preparation: Mel provided essential reminders to coaches and captains regarding dashboard requirements, coach screening, express enrollment, printable rosters, and event registration, emphasizing the importance of early completion to ensure smooth tournament participation and planning.
    • Coach Screening and Dashboard: Mel instructed all teams to ensure that two coaches are screened and that all acknowledgment forms are completed on the dashboard, highlighting that any red indicators on the dashboard must be resolved to avoid last-minute issues.
    • Express Enrollment and Team Invitations: Teams were advised to use the express enrollment feature to manage invitations, including generating QR codes for parents, and to add team members as they enroll, ensuring all are properly registered before the competition.
    • Printable Roster Requirement: Mel emphasized the necessity of printing the official team roster from the dashboard and bringing it to the tournament, describing it as the ‘golden ticket’ required for competition entry and warning against the stress of last-minute completion.
    • Event Registration and Planning: Participants were reminded to complete FTC event registration and payment via adventistrobotics.net, as early confirmation aids in logistical planning such as ordering trophies and medals.
  • Competition Manual Updates and Team Communication: Mel and Fiona discussed the importance of regularly reviewing the competition manual and staying updated with rule changes, encouraging coaches to sign up for team update notifications and to ensure teams are aware of the latest version and incorporated updates.
    • Manual Versioning and Updates: Mel explained that the competition manual is updated frequently, with new versions incorporating recent rule changes and clarifications, and advised teams to verify they are using the latest version (e.g., TU14 as of December 11).
    • Team Update Notifications: Coaches were encouraged to sign up for team update emails to receive timely notifications about rule changes, as only adults (18+) can register for these updates.
    • Resource Navigation: Mel demonstrated where to find the competition manual, team updates, and other resources on the main website, ensuring teams know how to access critical information.
  • Judging Process and Section 6 Guidance: Fiona, serving as Judge Advisor, outlined the significance of Section 6 in the competition manual, detailed the judging process, and encouraged teams to prepare thoroughly for the awards criteria and judging sessions, with Mel providing logistical details for inspection and judging schedules.
    • Section 6 Importance: Fiona recommended that teams regularly study Section 6 of the manual, as it contains all information about awards, both new and existing, and suggested designating students to become familiar with its content.
    • Judging Session Structure: Mel described the judging process: robot inspection and portfolio submission occur Saturday night, followed by 15-minute judging sessions on Sunday morning, which include a 5-minute team presentation and 10 minutes for Q&A.
    • Preparation Strategies: Teams were advised to practice concise presentations that address all award areas and to ensure all team members participate, maximizing their opportunity to impress judges within the limited time.
    • Communication Channels for Questions: Fiona and Mel clarified that teams can submit judging questions via email or bring them to monthly conference calls, where dialogue can help clarify complex issues.
  • Game-Specific Rules and Referee Guidance: Sam, the Head Referee, provided an in-depth overview of significant game rule changes for the season, including robot sizing, human player interactions, protected zones, ranking points, and the interpretation of intent in fouls, with Mel and Fiona supporting the discussion and addressing participant questions.
    • Robot Sizing and Expansion: Sam explained that the 18-inch sizing limit now applies horizontally for the entire match, requiring mechanical constraints rather than software, and advised teams to allow a small margin to ensure compliance with the official sizing cube.
    • Starter Robots and Design Resources: Starter robot designs from various manufacturers were highlighted as useful resources for teams, especially given the unique shooting game mechanics this season, with examples and code available for reference.
    • Human Player Rule Changes: The human player can now place artifacts directly into robots in the loading zone, provided there is no direct or transitive contact with the robot, marking a change from previous seasons.
    • Protected Zones and Gate Rule: Sam and Fiona reviewed rules regarding protected zones (e.g., gate, secret tunnel, loading zone, base), emphasizing that touching the opponent’s gate results in a major penalty and awards the opposing alliance a ranking point.
    • Ranking Points and Achievements: Ranking points can now be earned through in-game achievements (artifacts through the square, patent points, parking in base), not just match outcomes, and Mel noted that the event may use ‘all other events’ thresholds pending confirmation.
    • Field Layout and Gameplay Implications: The field layout places alliance stations and goals on opposite sides, increasing the risk of accidental gate contact and requiring teams to be mindful of their robot’s movements.
  • Interpretation of Fouls, Intent, and Gameplay Strategy: Fiona and Sam addressed detailed questions from Daniel Plaisted regarding the interpretation of rule G210, intent in drawing fouls, and the distinction between standard gameplay and deliberate actions to force penalties, providing examples and clarifications on referee judgment.
    • Rule G210 and Intent: Fiona clarified that actions clearly aimed at forcing opponents to violate rules are not allowed and will result in penalties for the instigating alliance, while standard gameplay that incidentally results in fouls is permissible.
    • Referee Judgment and Examples: Examples were provided where explicit instructions to draw a foul (e.g., telling a driver to hit an opponent for a penalty) resulted in G210 violations, whereas actions consistent with normal gameplay, even if they result in fouls, are acceptable.
    • Guidance for Teams: Teams were advised to focus on playing the game rather than worrying about intent, as referees will assess whether actions are part of standard gameplay or deliberate attempts to exploit the rules.
    • Protected Zone Scenarios: Scenarios involving artifact control, pushing, and interactions in protected zones were discussed, with Fiona explaining how referees consider context and intent, and that actions like pushing artifacts while already at capacity are not allowed.
  • Launching, Artifact Control, and Field Setup Clarifications: Fiona, Mel, and Daniel Plaisted discussed the definitions and practical implications of launching artifacts, controlling elements, and field setup details, addressing specific scenarios and promising further clarification after more event experience.
    • Definition of Launching: Launching is defined as shooting an artifact into the air or propelling it across the floor to a desired location or in a preferred direction, and is only allowed from the launch zone.
    • Artifact Ejection Scenarios: Questions about ejecting artifacts from robots (e.g., running intake in reverse) were discussed, with Fiona indicating that simply removing an artifact may not count as launching unless it is directed or forceful, but further clarification will be sought.
    • Pushing Artifacts and Control: Pushing artifacts across the field is considered control, not launching, unless the artifact is propelled away from the robot at speed and in a preferred direction, which may require further referee interpretation.
    • Field Setup and Tape Lines: Nicole inquired about field tape lines, and Mel and Fiona directed teams to the field setup guide in the playing field resources, which provides exact dimensions and recommended taping order.
    • Alliance Station Artifact Limits: Fiona reminded teams that only six artifacts are allowed in the alliance station box, and exceeding this limit results in fouls, requiring teams to manage artifact placement carefully during matches.
  • Scrimmage Planning and Logistics: Daniel Plaisted asked about upcoming scrimmages, with Mel confirming tentative dates, the need for team rosters, and plans for local referees, while also outlining sign-up and fee procedures for these less formal events.
    • Scrimmage Scheduling: Mel indicated that February 15th is the likely date for the local scrimmage, pending finalization and coordination with other FTC events to avoid conflicts.
    • Referee Arrangements: Due to overlapping events, local referees will be used for the scrimmage, and Mel emphasized the importance of having experienced referees present.
    • Roster and Registration Requirements: Teams must prepare and submit rosters for scrimmages, and Mel will set up a sign-up process with a small fee to confirm participation and facilitate event scoring.
  • Meeting Recordings and Ongoing Communication: Mel confirmed that meeting recordings are shared with all teams for transparency and encouraged participants to review them and bring further questions to future monthly calls.
    • Recording Access: Recordings of the meetings are posted and can be shared with all team members, allowing those who missed the session to catch up and prepare questions for subsequent meetings.
    • Encouragement of Dialogue: Mel encouraged teams to review the recordings and participate actively in future calls to address any emerging questions or clarifications.

Follow-up tasks:

  • Coach and Team Compliance on Dashboard: Ensure that all teams have two screened coaches and all acknowledgment forms completed on the dashboard, with no outstanding red indicators. (All coaches)
  • Team Roster Preparation: Print the official team roster from the dashboard and bring the physical copy to the tournament as required for participation. (All coaches)
  • FTC Event Registration and Payment: Complete FTC event registration and submit payment to confirm participation and facilitate event planning. (All coaches)
  • Team Update Notifications: Sign up for team update emails to receive notifications about rule changes and updates throughout the season. (All coaches)
  • Judging Section Familiarization: Read Section 6 of the competition manual regularly and designate students to become familiar with its content for effective preparation. (All teams)
  • Submission of Portfolio and Robot Inspection: Turn in the team portfolio and complete robot inspection during Saturday night check-in prior to the tournament. (All teams)
  • Field Setup Guide Access: Access and review the field setup guide from the playing field resources to ensure correct field marking and tape placement. (All teams)

Posted in FTC Coach-Captain Call