Coaches
Coaching
Q: How much time is involved in coaching a team?
A: You will need to arrive at your own optimum time commitment, but generally teams range from three to six hours per week, with additional weekend hours if needed around tournament season.
Q: Does the coach need to have a technical background?
A: A technical background is helpful, but not necessary. Learning alongside the team is expected. Coaches must be willing to acquire some basic knowledge of the programming environment and Vex robot building. For additional assistance we encourage the coach to enlist the support of a technology mentor or guest speaker(s).
Q: Is one coach enough?
A: A team of 4-5 kids can operate with only one coach. However, if you have the maximum number of students on your team (10), you will probably need some extra help. You may want to ask teachers, parents, or other volunteers in your area to help you run your team.
Q: Are there any learning materials or training available?
A: Yes, the FTC Coaches Handbook is a helpful resource for coaches. More materials and resources are currently being developed.
Those who are interested in becoming coaches are encouraged to register for no-charge no-obligation workshops. If you have already attended a workshop and want to remind us of your interest in serving as a coach or assistant coach please contact us.
OPC-FIRST Tech Challenge
A group of volunteers make-up the ORTOP Planning Committee-FTC to implement the FIRST Tech Challenge Program. Volunteers serve on a variety of committees: tournament planning, technical workshop, scholarship/outreach and development. If you are interested in serving on the OPC-FIRST Tech Challenge
FTC Judges
Judges assess the teams in many categories, including originality, problem solving and the ability to improvise.
- Technical Judges: Interview team members about the design and programming of the robot they have created to effectvely play the annual robot challenge.
- Teamwork Judges: Observe and ask questions about the teamwork skills of each team.
Judges will be needed for about six hours per tournament. The FTC Championship Tournament is scheduled for February 21.
All Judges must be at least 18 years of age. Technical judges should have a technical background in mechanical engineering or programming. Teamwork judges have a variety of backgrounds.
Restrictions: Coaches and mentors and adults associated with teams may neither attend judge/referee training sessions nor serve as judges, referees, timekeepers, inspectors even at tournaments where their teams are not participating. They may however, serve as team queuers, or general volunteers etc. at their team's tournament. Those interested in serving in one of these support roles are encouraged to contact ftc@ortop.org.
We provide free training sessions for prospective judges.
FTC Mentors
Who can be a mentor?
A. Mentors can be technology professionals, professors, college students, or older participants in the FIRST Robotics Competition. FTC participants have the opportunity to explore engineering principles and practices while working with positive role models.
What benefits do mentors and volunteers provide?
A. The richest experience occurs when the coach seeks additional support from parents and volunteers who combine their specific skills. We recommend high school students participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition because they have experienced teamwork and timelines and often make wonderful mentors. The partnership establishes a rewarding learning experience for all.
Parental cooperation and support is invaluable to FTC team members. Parents can act as a resource as well as volunteers to assist with transportation, refreshments, fundraising, etc. Asking a parent/volunteer to work with teams in her/his area of expertise provides valuable one-on-one interaction. For example, an engineer can speak to the team as a whole, and then provide direction to the builders and programmers on the robot's design. A graphic artist or illustrator can offer advice to the team for creating its logo and/or team t-shirts.
ESCO Corporation statement on the value of being a FIRST LEGO League technical mentor.
Many teams combine the roles of coach and mentor in or two adults. Those who are interested in becoming mentors and coaches who will be mentoring teams are encouraged to register for no-charge no-obligation workshops. If you have already attended a workshop and want to remind us of your interest in serving as a mentor or assistant mentor please contact us.
Referees
Referees monitor the performance of the teams and the robots during the table competition and score the results after each round. We provide free training sessions for prospective referees. There are also associated roles including field- resetters, timekeeper, technical field managers, scorekeeper. Those considering being a referee, field re-setter or timekeeper should attend a referee training session. Those wishing to serve as volunteer should send an email to ftc@ortop.org
All referees must be 18 years of age. There are limited roles for persons under 18 to assist the referee crew. These persons must volunteer with a parent/guardian and be supervised at all times. Paticipation of persons under 18 years of age must be approved by the State Tournament Head Referee. Please send an email request to ftc.ortop.org
RESTRICTIONS: Coaches and mentors and adults associated with teams may neither attend judge/referee training sessions nor serve as judges, referees, timekeepers, inspectors even at tournaments where their teams are not participating. They may however, serve as team queuers, or general volunteers etc. at their team's tournament. Those interested in serving in one of these support roles are encouraged to contact ftc@ortop.org.
FTC Tournament Organizers
There’s no secret to running a good FTC program; it's just like competing in FTC. You think creatively, treat people with respect, and work hard. Put yourself in your customer’s position (student, coach, teacher, or volunteer) and ask yourself, "What would I want?" But to get you started, here’s a list of things you’ll need to think about:
• Tournament venue
• All needed equipment
• Food for participants and volunteers
• Paid helpers, like custodial staff
• Volunteers
• Parking and traffic plans
• Directional signs around the building
• Pre-tournament communication with teams, volunteers, and supporters
FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Volunteer Information
REGISTER ONLINE TO BE A 2010 EVENT VOLUNTEER FOR FTC Championship: CLICK HERE
When: February 28, 2010 - FTC Championship Event
Where: S. Meadows Middle School, Hillsboro
VOLUNTEER ROLES STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
When: February 6, 2010 - FTC Qualifying Event
Where: OMSI, SE Portland
AND
When: February 13, 2010 - FTC Qualifying Event
Where: Kelley Engineering Building, OSU Campus, Corvallis
NO MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We have filled all postitions for both FTC Qualifying Events.
FIRST Tech Challenge Game Information
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP VOLUNTEER ROLES
FTC Volunteer Training: Most the the volunteer roles listed in this section are "day of the event" volunteers. Training will be done by email, conference call, night before or morning of the tournament depending on the crew leader.
Volunteer Roles in red with * indicate training is required prior to the event. These volunteers should be adults.
JUDGES*: Conducts formal interviews with the teams to assess their technical knowledge and robot designs. Judges are responsible to awards trophies to the teams using a deliberative process. Should have a technical background.
JUDGE SUPPORT CREW:
Judge Queuer: Keeps judging rooms on schedule, flow of teams in & out of judging area
Judge Assistant: Escorts teams in & out of judging room, acts as time keeper and keeps judge panel on schedule.
Judge Runner: Picks up score sheets to give to the scorekeeper.
REFEREES*: Responsible for scoring and making sure teams play by the rules on the Hot Shot Competition Field.
RESETTERS- Assists the referees by resetting the field after match play.
SOFTWARE / HARDWARE INSPECTORS*: Inspects the team's robot for hardware and software specifications. Requires training prior to event. Technical background a plus!!
PIT ADMINISTRATION CREW
The Pit is a gym with a table for each team where they keep their belongings, tune up their robot and hang out while waiting for their next event.
Volunteers escort and line up the teams to keep the flow going and the tournament on schedule throughout the day.
Pit Runner: Finds teams if they don't show up for their field time
Bullpen Crew: Several specific roles dedicated to positioning teams waiting for their turn on the Hot Shot Competition Field
PRACTICE FIELD CREW
During the day teams can try out their robot on a practice fields.
Practice FieldMonitors ensure an orderly and fair use of the practice fields and sees that the teams reset the fields after use. Volunteers should be familiar with the FTC Game.
REGISTRATION / INFORMATION CREW
Checks in teams; directs participants, VIPs, volunteers and parents to the proper areas; and answers questions.
HOSPITALITY CREW
Serves breakfast, lunch and snacks in the volunteer break room. Brings water/snacks to volunteers not able to leave their post.
EVENT AMBIANCE CREW
Assist the tournament director in creating excitement at the tournament with lights, music and great announcing. Also, orchestrate opening and closing ceremonies.
SECURITY CREW
Security volunteers direct the teams to correct venue locations, prevent teams and guest from entering prohibited venue areas by checking name tags/wristbands. Security ensures that teams adhere to site regulations and would help direct the crowd in case of an emergency.
LOAD-IN /LOAD-OUT CREWS
Load-in/Load-out Crew members set up tables, chairs, signs and equipment before the event and remove them afterward. This is not a thankless volunteer job. Our tournament directors will thank you many times for volunteering for this important role. Please consider volunteering for this job by itself or in addition to other roles.
PRE-TOURNAMENT PREPARATION VOLUNTEERS
The Tournament Director, Head Judge/Referee and Crew Leads need help preparing in advance of the tournament. This includes printing materials, stuffing folders/envelopes, building field set-up kits, organizing materials, shopping for food, etc. The tournament director will connect with you regarding what’s needed.
CLICK HERE ---FOR OREGON FIRST TECH CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP online VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
Referee & Judge Training
We will be holding Referee and Judge training in late January early February 20009. Anyone who is considering being a referee, or judge at an FTC Championship should attend one of these sessions. Referees should plan to referee at a scrimmage prior to the Championship.
All Judges and Referees must be at least 18 years of age. There are limited roles for persons under 18 to assist the referee crew or be a judge. These persons must volunteer with a parent/guardian and be supervised at all times. Paticipation of persons under 18 years of age must be approved by the State Tournament Head Referee or Head Judge. Please send an email request to ftc.ortop.org .
Restrictions: Coaches and mentors and adults associated with teams may neither attend these training sessions nor serve as judges, referees, table setters or timekeepers even at tournaments where their teams are not participating. They may however, serve as team queuers, or general volunteers etc. at their team's tournament and other events after their team's tournament has occurred. Those interested in serving in one of these support roles are encouraged to contact the volunteer coordinator for one or more tournaments. For contact information send an email to ftc@ortop.org