VEX U Head Referee Certification and Training Course

All official REC Foundation events that qualify teams to a Championship event are required to have a Certified Head Referee, and all Referees are encouraged to use this certification course for training. If there is anything in the certification course that is in disagreement with the Official Game Manual, the Official Game Manual should be followed.

This course takes an average of 2.5 hours to complete, and represents 2.5 hours of professional development and training when completed.

Need to reach us about a course or certification? Email us at volunteercerts@recf.org.

Unit 1: VEX U Over Under Game Modifications

Introduction

This certification course is designed to teach volunteer VEX U referees the nuances of the VEX U game and robot rules and highlight ways the VEX U rules vary from the standard rule set. Qualified and certified Head Referees help provide a consistent experience for participants within and across local, regional, national, and World Championship events.

As a VEX U Head Referee, you are required to pass the certification exam at the end of this course in addition to passing the VRC Head Referee certification exam before volunteering as a VEX U Head Referee at a qualifying event. VEX U Scorekeeper Referees are encouraged to take both courses, but they are not a requirement for that volunteer position.

If you have not already passed the VRC Head Referee certification exam, you should stop here and do that first.

Throughout this course, you will find links to external resources that include important information for Head Referees. Please take time to read the identified sections of each resource before moving on to the unit exam.

This unit presents the game, tournament, and skills rules for VEX U Over Under events.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:

• Identify the Robot starting positions for VEX U head-to-head and skills Matches
• Correctly set up fields and game objects for VEX U head-to-head and skills Matches
• Describe the differences between the VEX U autonomous period and the VRC autonomous period
• Describe how, where, and when a VEX U team can introduce Match Loads
• List the differences between the VEX U and VRC match formats
• Describe the two periods of a VEX U Qualification or Elimination match
• Recall the maximum number of drive team members for VEX U
• Recall the number of Robots a VEX U team can bring to an event

VEX U Over Under Game Modifications

Most of the standard game, tournament, and skills rules also apply to VEX U Matches, but there are key differences that a Head Referee must understand.

Read the first few pages of Appendix C in the Over Under Game Manual now, and stop when you get to the section titled “Rule Modifications: Robot.” Visit and review the questions and responses in the official VEX U 2023-2024 Q&A.

• Learn the Robot starting positions for VEX U head-to-head and skills Matches
• Review how fields and game objects are set up for VEX U head-to-head and skills Matches
• Note the differences between the VEX U autonomous period and the VRC autonomous period
• Discover how, where, and when a VEX U team can introduce Match Loads
• Review the changes to the tournament format for VEX U, including the number of Teams in each Match and how Teams are seeded for Elimination Matches (rules <VUG1> through <VUG3>)
• Read about the Match periods that apply in VEX U Qualification and Elimination Matches (rules <VUG4> & <VUG5>)
• Learn how many Drive Team Members are allowed in a VEX U Alliance Station (rule <VUG6>)
• Review the rules about how many Robots a VEX U team may bring to an event, and how many Robots they can bring to each Match

When you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

Unit 2: VEX U Over Under Robot Rules

Introduction

This unit presents the robot rules for VEX U Over Under events.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:

• Recall the size requirements for the VEX U Robots in a Match
• List some legal fabrication methods for VEX U Robot components
• Recall the types of material that are considered Raw Stock for VEX U fabrication
• Identify materials that are prohibited based on safety or damage risks
• Describe the requirements for documentation of Fabricated Parts
• List some commercially-available parts that can be used on VEX U Robots
• Recall the limitations on electronics and pneumatic components

VEX U Over Under Robot Rules

VEX U expands the allowable materials for Robot construction slightly, and enables Teams to fabricate custom Robot components using a list of permitted methods and materials.

VEX U Head Referees do not have to memorize the details of all allowed and disallowed components, but should be familiar enough with these rules to serve as the Robot inspector and to make quick decisions about Robot legality as concerns arise during the event.

Read the “Rule Modifications: Robot” section of Appendix C in the Over Under Game Manual now.

• Review the size requirements for the VEX U Robots in a Match
• Discover the legal fabrication methods for VEX U Robot components
• Learn which types of material are considered Raw Stock for VEX U fabrication
• Review the list of materials that are prohibited based on safety or damage risks
• Read about the requirements for documentation of Fabricated Parts
• Learn which commercially-available parts can be used on VEX U Robots
• Note the limitations on electronics and pneumatic components

Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.

VEX U Head Referee Certification Exam: 2022-23 Over Under

Congratulations! You've reached the end of the course, and are ready to assess your knowledge in the final exam. Click this link to proceed to the final exam. Note that to fill the role of a VEX U Head Referee at a Qualifying Event, you must be at least 20 years old, must be a certified VRC Head Referee, and must pass this final exam with a score of 80% or better (at least 38 of 47 questions answered correctly).

If you meet the following criteria, you will be given access to post questions in the official VEX U Over Under Q&A on Robot Events. Permissions are generally assigned within 2 weeks of the date that you pass the final exam.

1. Must be at least 20 years old at the time you pass the certification exam
2. Must pass the final exam with a score of at least 80% (38 of 47 questions)
3. Must have a user account on RobotEvents.com
4. Must provide the email address associated with the RobotEvents.com account when prompted on the final exam

Certificates for the 2023-2024 season certification courses are emailed approximately once per week, and are sent to the email address entered during the exam. You can confirm your status as a Certified Head Referee by contacting your region’s Event Engagement Manager (US) or Regional Support Manager (international).

Need to reach us about a course or certification? Email us at volunteercerts@recf.org.