game manual 1 ftc

FTC Game Manual 1: An Overview

The FTC Game Manual 1 serves as the foundational document for each FIRST Tech Challenge season․
It introduces teams to the current season’s game, outlining objectives, rules, and regulations essential for participation and competition success․

The FTC Game Manual is a critical resource for all FIRST Tech Challenge teams, especially rookie teams seeking guidance․
It provides a comprehensive understanding of the season’s game, including objectives, rules, and regulations․
The manual is typically released at the season kickoff, where teams first learn about the new challenge․
It details robot build requirements, competition rules, and scoring procedures․
Teams must thoroughly review the manual to ensure compliance and develop effective strategies․
The manual also includes information on team eligibility, inspection processes, and award criteria․
Regular updates and Q&A sessions address clarifications and changes to the rules․
Access to the manual and related resources is available on the official FIRST website․

Key Sections of Game Manual 1

Game Manual 1 contains crucial sections detailing competition rules, robot build guidelines, and inspection criteria․
These sections are essential for teams to understand and adhere to for successful participation․

Competition Rules and Regulations

This section of Game Manual 1 outlines the official rules governing FTC competitions․
It covers aspects such as robot behavior on the field, interaction with game elements, and scoring procedures․
Teams must thoroughly understand these rules to avoid penalties and maximize their performance․
The manual explicitly defines legal and illegal actions during matches, ensuring fair play and safety․
Furthermore, it details the roles and responsibilities of referees and other officials in enforcing the rules․
Understanding these regulations is crucial for developing effective game strategies and ensuring compliance with competition standards․
The intent of the manual is that the text means exactly, and only, what it says․

Robot Build Requirements and Guidelines

The Robot Build Requirements and Guidelines section within Game Manual 1 specifies the constraints and recommendations for constructing a legal FTC robot․
It details limitations on robot size, weight, and permissible materials, ensuring safety and fair competition․
This section also outlines rules regarding COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) components and custom-fabricated parts․
Teams must adhere to these guidelines to pass inspection and participate in matches․
The manual may include diagrams and explanations to clarify specific requirements․
Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of robust construction and safe wiring practices․
Following these guidelines is crucial for creating a reliable and compliant robot that can effectively compete within the FTC framework․

Important Updates and Revisions

Staying current with updates and revisions to Game Manual 1 is crucial for FTC teams․
Official updates clarify rules, address ambiguities, and provide necessary adjustments throughout the season․
Teams must regularly monitor these changes․

Team Updates and Q&A System

The FIRST Tech Challenge utilizes a Team Update system and a dedicated Q&A platform to ensure fair play and clarity throughout the competition season․
Team Updates are official revisions and clarifications to Game Manual 1, addressing ambiguities, rule changes, and gameplay adjustments․

These updates are released periodically and are mandatory for all teams to implement․
The Q&A system allows teams to submit questions regarding rule interpretations or game-specific scenarios․
Answers provided by the official FIRST Q&A team serve as authoritative clarifications, guiding teams in their robot design, strategy, and gameplay decisions․
Regularly monitoring both Team Updates and the Q&A forum is essential for teams to stay informed and compliant․

Resources for Understanding the Manual

To fully understand the FTC Game Manual 1, teams can utilize the official FIRST website, the FTC forum, and community support channels․ These resources offer clarifications, updates, and collaborative problem-solving․

Official FIRST Website and Game Season Materials

The official FIRST website stands as the primary hub for all FTC-related information, including Game Manuals and season materials․ Here, teams can access the most current versions of Game Manual 1 and Game Manual 2, as well as any updates or revisions issued throughout the season․ Furthermore, the website hosts essential resources such as game-specific materials, field specifications, and details on scoring elements․

Teams should regularly consult the FIRST website to stay informed about rule changes, clarifications, and other important announcements that can impact their robot design, strategy, and overall competition experience․

FTC Forum and Community Support

The FTC Forum provides an invaluable platform for teams to engage with the broader FIRST community and seek support in understanding the Game Manual․ This forum serves as a hub where teams can ask questions, share insights, and collaborate with experienced mentors, volunteers, and fellow competitors․ It is a great place to find out what has changed since the Manuals․

By actively participating in the FTC Forum, teams can gain clarity on ambiguous rules, troubleshoot technical challenges, and learn best practices for robot design, programming, and strategy․ The collective knowledge and support available within the community can significantly enhance a team’s understanding of the Game Manual․

Competition Eligibility and Inspection

This section outlines the requirements teams must meet to participate in official FTC competitions․ It details inspection procedures, robot compliance standards, and team eligibility criteria, all crucial for fair play․

Requirements for Team and Robot Participation

To be eligible for FTC competition, teams must adhere to specific criteria outlined in Game Manual 1․
Teams need to register with FIRST, pay required fees, and meet age and membership guidelines․
The robot must pass inspection, complying with size, weight, and component regulations detailed in the manual․
Teams must also demonstrate a clear understanding of the game rules and demonstrate Gracious Professionalism․
Furthermore, teams should submit all necessary documentation, including team information and robot specifications, before the competition․
Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in disqualification․
Adherence to these guidelines ensures fair and safe competition for all participants․

Scoring and Game Play

FTC Game Manual 1 details scoring rules and gameplay․
It describes how teams earn points by completing tasks with their robots on the field, adhering to specific guidelines for valid actions․

Field Layout and Scoring Elements

The FTC Game Manual 1 provides a detailed description of the playing field, including its dimensions, boundaries, and critical zones․
It outlines the placement of game elements, such as scoring objects, obstacles, and designated areas for robot interaction․
Teams must understand the field layout to strategically plan their robot’s movements and scoring maneuvers․
The manual clearly defines the scoring elements, specifying how each element contributes to a team’s overall score․
It includes information on point values, scoring conditions, and any restrictions associated with manipulating or interacting with these elements․
Detailed diagrams and illustrations are often provided to visually represent the field and its components, aiding teams in their understanding․

Awards and Judging Criteria

This section details the various awards presented at FTC competitions, outlining the criteria judges use to evaluate teams․
It covers aspects like robot design, team performance, innovation, and the team’s engineering notebook․

Engineering Notebook and Portfolio Requirements

The Engineering Notebook and Portfolio are crucial for judged awards, particularly the top honors․
The notebook should meticulously document the team’s design process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented․
It should include sketches, CAD drawings, code snippets, and test results, providing a comprehensive record of the robot’s development․
A Portfolio, while highly recommended, showcases the team’s accomplishments, outreach efforts, and overall journey throughout the season․
Both the notebook and portfolio demonstrate the team’s understanding of engineering principles, teamwork, and their ability to apply these concepts in the FIRST Tech Challenge․
These elements are critical for judges to assess the team’s eligibility for awards․