Do you want to see our robot and team in action?
Here's how the FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition)international robotic sports league  works.

But first, a moment FOR our sponsors:

1. Learn This Year's Game Challenge

• Each year the game changes (see computer animated video below).
• Each year teams must build a new robot in 8 weeks.
• When the Mavericks take their robot to the competition, they will be put on an "alliance" of three robots.
• The red alliance plays against the blue alliance in each match. It's like a basketball game, except with 100 balls flying all at once!
• Each match is 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The first 15 seconds the robot works autonomously, without human drivers.
• During Qualifying Matches, robots are placed on random alliances.
• During Quarter Final Matches, top scoring teams from the Qualifying matches get to choose their alliance robots. (This is like choosing dodgeball teams at elementary school.)

Computer Animated Video of this Year's Game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmiYWTmFRVE

2. Stream Live Matches

@ www.thebluealliance.com ​

1. ​Click the heading "GameDay"
2. Click the layout option "Single View"
3. Click "Select a Webcast"​
4. Click the webcast you want to watch. (For Feb 28-Mar Competition, Search Oshawa, Durham College or ONT District Durham College Event)
5. You should be able to see the field at the event! Listen to the commentator to hear your team announced!

3. When do Mavericks Play?

When Do the Mavericks Play? -- EXACTLY?

• In general: Opening Ceremonies begin at 11am Saturday. Qualification matches are from 11:30am - 7pm Saturday, and start back up at 9:30 Sunday. Link to Durham schedule. Link to Carleton schedule.
  
• Exact times: Search The Blue Alliance in the TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER using these words: Team #7480 or Machine Mavericks
• You'll now see the Mavericks info page which will include estimates of match times. (Times may vary if the matches get delayed.)
• Go get your root beer and popcorn ready!

4. The Scoreboard

• The scoreboard will be visible on the match screen on The Blue Alliance.
• Like any game, understanding the rules and the point system is key.
  
• Also like many sports games today, alliances must decide which of their three robots is good at different things on the field, and whether some will engage in offence or defence during the 2:30.
  
• Remember, during qualifying matches alliances are matched at random!
  

The LEFT side of this scoreboard reads:
The Blue Alliance is made up of Teams 1540, 907, and 3136. It also shows each team's logo and current rank--closer to 1 is best for ranking. The Blue Alliance had 207 points in this match. The words in the grey boxes are the types of points they earned. (In football, this would be like touchdowns and  field goals.)

5. Types of Points

• See chart below.
• Autonomous = No Student Drivers
• Teleop = With Student Drivers
• Ranking Points = These are given in the qualification rounds, determine position and/or qualification for the playoff rounds. Your alliance gets 2 for each win, 1 for each tie, and 0 for each loss. However,  alliances can also get ranking points regardless of whether they win a match. For example, this year teams can earn ranking points for successful climbs (aka: "hanging").  So, losing alliances can get points, and winning alliances can get more than two. In the playoff rounds there are no ranking points. It’s single elimination. So playoff strategies may differ from qualification strategies.  After all Qualifying matches are over, teams are ranked based on highest to lowest number of ranking points. The goal is to rank high to get the best pick when it comes down to alliance selections. The top 8 teams are alliance captains in the Quarter Finals.
• If you are geeky enough to get to this point AND want an Xcel spreadsheet to calculate different winning scenarios, shoot us a message! We've got that ready for you!

6. Who's on the Field?

• Driver -- Uses joysticks to move the robot.
• Operator -- Operates the shooter, intake and climber from the computer.
• Human Player -- Feeds balls to the field.
• Technician -- On the field repair; only person allowed on field.
• Drive Coach -- Focuses Field Team on Match Strategy
• Off Field: We've got a behind the scenes crew who are manning the pit area, speaking with judges, and scouting (collecting data on other teams, their robots, and their points). The Mavericks will need scouting stats and info to make decisions in each match, and if they make it to Quarterfinals.
  

7. Want to Know More About Our Robot?

Our 2020 robot's name is Astro!

• Click here to learn details about Astro.
  

8. Want Some Commentary?

NEW THIS YEAR!  Mavericks Twitch Channel
Behind the Scenes Commentary IN BETWEEN matches from the competition floor.

• Behind the scenes commentary from our teams players and coaches.
• Hear from the Drive Team about the last match.
• Find out the status of the robot.
• Find out which teams are heading up and which ones are heading down.
• Live the excitement!

https://www.twitch.tv/machinemavericks_7480/
https://www.twitch.tv/machinemavericks_7480/videos

9. Follow on Social Media

• Find out what your team is up to 
• See headlines from the matches
• Ask questions to the teams about the game
• Cheer on the team!

10.  Who Else is at the Competition?

• See which other cities in Ontario are sending their robots, including Kingston's other teams! Click below.
• FEB 28 - MAR 1   DURHAM COLLEGE
• MAR 13 - 15   CARLETON UNIVERSITY

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