KnightKrawler's Top 10 Tips

1. Pay Attention to Sandstorm

During the first 15 seconds of every match, shutters are lowered, blocking driver visibility of the field. Drivers are required to either control their robot while viewing live camera footage or run it off pre-programmed code. Keep an eye out for robots that score cargo (balls) and hatch panels (disks) during Sandstorm— this can give teams a head start before the teleoperated (full driver visibility) portion of the match.

2. Robots Can Score Match Points and Ranking Points

MATCH POINTS

During Sandstorm, robots can earn points for crossing the “HAB Line,” and earn even more if they started on a platform off the ground. Robots also attempt to score balls called “cargo” (3 points) and disks called “hatch panels” (2 points). Another way to earn match points is by climbing the HAB platforms during the last 30 seconds of the match (12 points for level 3, 6 points for level 2, and 3 points for level 1). The alliance with the most match points when the match ends wins!

RANKING POINTS

Ranking points determine a team’s overall place in the qualification matches. They can be earned by completing a rocket ship (see number 3), receiving 15 HAB climb bonus points in endgame, and winning or tying a match.

3. Look For Completed Rocket Ships

If a rocket ship has 6 hatch panels and 6 cargo, it is considered completed. A completed rocket ship counts for one ranking point.

4. Some Robots Can Climb

If an alliance has robots on the first and third platforms or two on the second and one on the first, they earn a ranking point. They also earn match points for climbing, which can help them win the match.

5. Two Alliances Made of Three Teams Each Play at Every Match

Two alliances play in every match: red and blue. Each alliance during qualifications contains three randomly-selected teams. After qualifications, the top eight ranked teams choose alliances to compete with for eliminations.

6. Teams Can Receive Penalties That Award Points to the Opposing Alliance

There are six penalties a team can make during a match. Usually, a referee will wave his or her flag to signal a penalty. Depending on the type a penalty, referees will award a certain number of match points to the opposing alliance.

7. Visit The Blue Alliance Website or Download The Blue Alliance App on Your Phone to See When Your Student’s Team Will Play.

Scores and rankings are updated in real-time!

8. The Scoreboard Can be Confusing. Here’s What You Need to Know:

TEAMS

Numbers and icons of teams are shown on the side as well as their rank and whether they went up or down in the ranking.

TOTALS

The total score of each alliance is conveyed in the middle, and it specifies which team won. Ranking point totals are shown in the bottom corners. There are icons below the totals symbolizing the different ways to earn a ranking point, and if the icons are highlighted, the team has scored that point.

POINT BREAKDOWNS

At the bottom of the scoreboard, point breakdowns are shown. This specifies points for each section of the game as well as penalties of the other team. These points are added up for each team’s total score.

In Quarterfinals and later, the scoreboard looks slightly different, as shown in the right image. Ranking points are not counted in these matches, so the bottom corners will only show the trophy icon. Individual team ranking is also not recorded, so the ranking next to the team is not there.

9. Visit the Pits to Chat With Teams and Collect Buttons

The pits are the area where teams keep their tools and work on their robots in between matches. If you want to check them out, ask your student to show you the way. Don’t forget to pick up a pair of safety glasses at the entrance! Also, most teams will give out buttons at their pit, so you can start a collection.

10. Cheer With KnightKrawler!