MSHSL State Competition

Robotics State Competition

Sponsored by FIRST and Presenting Partner-MSHSL

Season Begins

The season shall correspond with all dates and guidelines outlined by the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Contests

Each Minnesota-based FIRST robotics team will be eligible to participate in the MSHSL/FIRST State Championship held in May (Saturday, May 19, 2011 at Williams Arena, University of Minnesota). Teams will qualify for the event based on their performance at their initial FIRST regional competition.

Robot Requirements

Teams will follow all the rules and guidelines of the FIRST Robotics Competition. Each robot must pass inspection to be allowed into the competition. Teams qualifying for the MSHSL/FIRST sponsored State Tournament will be allowed 8 hours of work time used in a minimum of 2 hour increments between the last competition and the MSHSL/FIRST state event. The State Championship is a bag and tag event. Teams will document their work time as per FIRST rules for bag and tag events.

Team Membership

All students eligible for membership on a FIRST Robotics team will be eligible for the State Championship. Exception: No students in grade 6 or under will be eligible. Students must be in Good Standing as defined by MSHSL rules to participate.

MSHSL Eligibility Information Brochure

Prior to participation in the state co-sponsored event, the student and one parent or guardian must sign and return one copy of the Eligibility Information Brochure to the student's school or team coordinator, if the team is not school-affiliated. The student and parent or guardian signature will certify they have read, understand and agree to abide by the information provided.

State Competition Format

The top 24 teams qualify based on their performance point total in their initial FIRST Regional competition. Award categories are based on the 2011 season.

Qualifying Entry

Team update and notification

An update to these rules will come out before the Week 1 Regional competitions. Teams will be notified of their qualification for the MSHSL Championship after the completion of the FIRST Regional competitions.

Lodging for the State Championship:

A courtesy block of hotel rooms has been set aside at the Ramada Plaza Minneapolis (1330 Industrial Blvd.) for Friday, May 18th. The MN State High School League has used that hotel, as do the U of M sports teams. The location is convenient to the U of M, with quick and easy highway access. There are 50 doubles available at $85/per room. The cut-off date for reservations is April 20. After April 20, the rooms and rate may still be available, but the hotel will release any rooms that haven't been reserved. This information will also be included in information distributed by the MNSHSL to teams that qualify for the State Championship event.

Alternate and Surrogate Teams

If, prior to the competition, any team is unable to participate, an alternate will replace that team. Teams must accept their invitation to the MSHSL Championship event two weeks prior to the event. If a qualifying team declines an invitation, the next highest qualifying team will be selected from the list of eligible teams. A 25^th, or surrogate, team will be invited to attend the Championship and be eligible to play if one the original 24 teams is disabled beyond repair during the preliminary rounds.

Time Schedule

Friday Schedule

Load-in:

Friday evening – times TBD

Saturday Schedule

Robot Inspection:
7:00am – 8:45am

Driver’s meeting
8:15am

Opening Ceremonies
8:45am

Preliminary Rounds:
9:00am-1:00pm

A random draw will determine alliance team composition for preliminary rounds. Preliminary matches for a twenty four (24) team field will last approximately 4 hours with the championship round to follow. The goal is to play as close to 10 rounds as possible. Depending on the complexity of 2012 game and the requirements for game reset, there may be less than 10 rounds.

10 matches/hour (max)

24 teams = 4 unique matches

Each team would play 2 ½ times/hour which means 10 matches in 4 hours.

Championship Rounds:

Alliance Selection: 1:30pm-2:00pm

The top four teams will be selected based on win-loss record and game point totals during the preliminary rounds.
The top four (4) teams will select alliance partners for the finals.
The elimination round will consist of semi-finals and finals.
Elimination round play will be 2 out of 3 with a minimum of 5 minutes between rounds.

Semi-Finals: 2:30pm

Alliance #1 vs Alliance #4
Alliance #2 vs Alliance #3

Finals: following completion of semi-finals with a short break in between

Winner #1 vs #4 against Winner #2 vs #3

The top (first) team listed in the bracket will be the red alliance.

General Conduct

Competing teams will exhibit the qualities of gracious professionalism and compete in the spirit of “coopertition”.

Disputes

Any disputes arising during the competition will be addressed on the field with the Head Referee.

Awards

Trophies: To the three teams in the championship alliance, and the three teams in the second-place alliance

Medals: To the members of the three teams in the championship and second-place alliances (25 medals per team) additional medals may be ordered for purchase.

Certificate of Participation (25) and Souvenir Bag Tags (25) given to each team qualifying for the state tournament. Additional Certificates may be ordered for purchase.