Basics of FTC

FIRST Tech Challenge is an international robotics competition designed for students in grades 7-12. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete head-to-head in alliance-based matches. The competition includes local qualifiers, regional/state championships, and culminates at the world-level FIRST Championship. Teams are also judged in areas such as design, community outreach, and technical innovation.

Who Participates

• Students (grades 7-12): The core team members who design, build, and program the robot.
• Mentors and Coaches: Often volunteer engineers, educators, or parents who guide teams through technical development and strategy.
• Volunteers and Event Staff: Assist with running events and supporting teams throughout the season.
• FIRST Organization & Regional Partners: They set the rules, game themes, organize the season, provide resources, and manage progression through the competition hierarchy.

Decode 2025-26 Game

Autonomous (30 s)

Robots decode motif, score artifacts, build patterns, move off launch line

Driver-Control (2 min)

Teams collect and score artifacts, finish pattern, return robots to base

Scoring

Points for artifacts, patterns, maze decoding, robot returns; ranking points also

Strategic Themes

Randomization, teamwork, dual-phase planning, cooperative gameplay