What to expect, from registration to the closing ceremony
Your first RoboCupJunior competition is exciting, busy and sometimes a little nerve-wracking. Knowing what happens and when makes it a lot more fun. Every event is a bit different, so always check the details with your organizers, but most follow the same shape.
Before the Event
- Register through your region. Local and regional events are run by your Regional Representative or regional organizers. For SuperRegional and International competitions, places come through your region; see Qualification and Competitions.
- Check the rules again. Rules are updated every year. Read the current rules for your league, and check the Forum for clarifications.
- Prepare your documentation. Depending on your league, this may include a poster, a technical description, a video or an engineering journal. Judges use it to understand your robot.
- Practise setting up. Time how long it takes to unpack, start and calibrate your robot, and write down your setup steps.
- Travelling abroad? Start early. Visa invitation letters usually need your registration, payment and passport details first, and age limits are checked against the rules.
What to Pack
- Your robot, plus spare parts for anything that might break (wheels, sensors, cables, fasteners).
- Batteries, chargers and a safe charging bag.
- Power adapters and plugs for where the event is held, and a power strip. Check the local voltage before plugging anything in.
- A laptop with your code (and a backup), programming cables and any software you need offline.
- Tools: screwdrivers, pliers, tape, cable ties, a multimeter.
- Printed copies of your documentation, poster and rules.
- Your team shirt, water and snacks. Competition days are long!
At the Event
- Setup and practice. Most events start with time to unpack, test on the competition fields and calibrate your sensors for the venue’s lighting.
- Robot inspection. Officials check that your robot meets the rules, for example size, weight and safety.
- Competition rounds. Soccer teams play games, Rescue teams complete scored runs, and OnStage teams give their performances. Schedules are posted at the venue; keep an eye on them.
- Technical interview. Judges talk with your team about how your robot works. Every student should be able to explain the part they built or programmed, so the robot must be the students’ own work.
- SuperTeams. At many events, teams from different regions join forces for a final challenge. It is often the highlight of the week.
- Closing ceremony. Awards are given for performance and for other categories such as technical excellence and teamwork.
When Things Go Wrong
Something will go wrong: a wire comes loose, a sensor reads differently under the venue lights, or code that worked yesterday doesn’t today. That is normal, and handling it is one of the most valuable things you will learn. Stay calm, work through the problem step by step, and use the time between rounds to fix and retest.
Judges and organizers notice teams who keep going. A robot that recovers reliably beats one that is impressive only when everything goes right.
Be a Great Competitor
- Help other teams when they are stuck, and don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself.
- Be patient with volunteers. Referees, judges and organizers give up their own time, often working in a second language.
- Make friends. Swap stories, visit other teams’ tables and stay in touch afterwards.
- Write things down. Capture what you learned while it is fresh; it will shape next season.
Read more in The RoboCupJunior Spirit and How to get the most out of RoboCup(Junior).