Competition Structure

Each event, or competition, in the FIRST Robotics Competition is structured similarly. In every match, two alliances of three teams play against each other on the field. Each match is approximately two minutes long each. Matches are split into an autonomous period and a teleoperated period. In the autonomous period, robots perform without input from team drivers. In the teleoperated period, robots are remotely controlled by drivers. Team performance in the autonomous period is often the difference between a win and a loss in a match. At the end of the match, the alliance that receives the highest score wins. These matches are split into two categories - Qualifying Rounds and Elimination Rounds. At the beginning of each competition, teams play 10-12 qualifying matches. In these rounds, the alliances are selected at random from the teams attending the competition. Teams are partnered with different alliance members in each match they play. When the Qualifying Rounds are complete, the eight teams with the best on-field performance are selected to be Alliance Captains. These Alliance Captains select two other teams to join their Elimination Round alliance. Elimination round alliances play best of three in each round of elimination, from quarterfinals to finals. The teams in the alliance that wins the finals are winners of the event.