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. VEX U Robotics Competition Head Referees are expected to recertify each season.
Need to reach us about a course or certification? Email us at volunteercerts@recf.org.
Unit 1: VEX U Robotics Competition High Stakes Game Modifications
Introduction
This certification course is designed to teach volunteer VEX U Robotics Competition (VURC) referees the nuances of the VURC game and robot rules and highlight ways the VURC 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 VURC Head Referee, you are required to pass the certification exam at the end of this course in addition to passing the V5RC Head Referee certification exam before volunteering as a VURC Head Referee at a qualifying event. VURC 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 V5RC 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, robot, and skills rules for VURC High Stakes events.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:
- Correctly set up fields and game objects for VURC Head-to-Head Matches
- Describe the limits on horizontal and vertical expansion for VURC Robots
- List the differences between the Climbing rules for V5RC and VURC
- Identify the additional Scoring actions that count for points toward the VURC Autonomous Bonus
VURC High Stakes Game Modifications
Most of the standard game, tournament, robot, and skills rules also apply to VURC Matches, but there are key differences that a Head Referee must understand.
Read the first few pages of Section 6 in the High Stakes 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 VURC 2024-2025 Q&A.
- Review how fields and game objects are set up for VURC Head-to-Head Matches
- Learn the rules and intentions of the VURC limits for horizontal and vertical expansion
- Discover how Climbing works in VURC High Stakes Matches
- Review the Scoring actions that count toward the VURC Autonomous Bonus
When you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.
To translate this quiz into a language other than English, open it through this link and use the translation options built into your browser.
Unit 2: VURC High Stakes Robot Rules
Introduction
This unit presents the robot rules for VURC High Stakes events.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:
- Recall the size requirements for the VURC Robots in a Match
- List some legal fabrication methods for VURC Robot components
- Recall the types of material that are considered Raw Stock for VURC 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 VURC Robots
- Recall the limitations on electronics and pneumatic components
VURC High Stakes Robot Rules
VURC expands the allowable materials for Robot construction slightly, and enables Teams to fabricate custom Robot components using a list of permitted methods and materials.
VURC 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 Section 6 in the High Stakes Game Manual now.
- Review the size requirements for the VURC Robots in a Match
- Discover the legal fabrication methods for VURC Robot components
- Learn which types of material are considered Raw Stock for VURC 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 VURC Robots
- Note the limitations on electronics and pneumatic components
Once you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.
To translate this quiz into a language other than English, open it through this link and use the translation options built into your browser.
Unit 3: VURC High Stakes Tournament Rules
Introduction
This unit explores the ways a VURC tournament differs from a V5RC tournament, particularly as they pertain to refereeing an event.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:
- Describe the differences between the VURC Autonomous Period and the V5RC Autonomous Period
- List the differences between the VURC and V5RC Match formats
- Describe the two periods of a VURC Qualification or Elimination Match
- Recall the maximum number of Drive Team Members for VURC
- Recall the number of Robots a VURC Team can bring to an event
VURC High Stakes Tournament Rule Modifications
Most of the standard tournament rules also apply to VURC events, but there are key differences that a Head Referee must understand.
Read the “Rule Modifications: Tournament” section of Section 6 in the High Stakes Game Manual now, and stop when you get to the section titled “Rule Modifications: Robot Skills Challenge.”
- Discover how many Robots a VURC Team may bring to an event, and how many Robots they can bring to each Match (rule <VUT1>)
- Review the changes to the tournament format for VURC, including the number of Teams in each Match and how Teams are seeded for Elimination Matches (rules <VUT1> through <VUT3>)
- Read about the Match periods that apply in VURC Qualification and Elimination Matches (rules <VUT4> & <VUT5>)
- Learn how many Drive Team Members are allowed in a VURC Alliance Station (rule <VUT6>)
- Review the guidelines for VURC Student eligibility (rule <VUT7>)
When you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.
To translate this quiz into a language other than English, open it through this link and use the translation options built into your browser.
Unit 4: VURC High Stakes Skills Challenge Rules
Introduction
This unit explores the ways VURC Robot Skills Matches differ from V5RC Robot Skills Matches.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this unit, a referee should be able to:
- Identify the numbers of Robots and Drive Team Members that are permitted at a VURC Robot Skills Challenge Match
- Recognize the Field layout for a VURC Robot Skills Challenge Match
- Recall the starting positions for Robots in a VURC Robot Skills Challenge Match
- Identify the limitations on use of blue Rings in VURC Robot Skills Challenge Matches
VURC High Stakes Skills Challenge Rules
Most of the standard Skills rules also apply to VURC events, but there are key differences that a Head Referee must understand.
Read the remainder of Section 6 in the High Stakes Game Manual now.
- Discover how many Robots and Drive Team Members a VURC team may bring to a Robot Skills Challenge Match
- Review the Field layout for a VURC Robot Skills Challenge Match (rule <VURS1>)
- Learn where the Robots begin a VURC Robot Skills Challenge Match (rule <VURS2>)
- Discover how and when blue Rings can be Scored in VURC Robot Skills Challenge Matches (rule <VURS4>)
When you’re done, return here to check your understanding of what you’ve learned.
To translate this quiz into a language other than English, open it through this link and use the translation options built into your browser.
VURC Head Referee Certification Exam: 2024-25 High Stakes
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. To translate this exam into a language other than English, use the translation options built into your browser. Note that to fill the role of a VURC Head Referee at a Qualifying Event, you must be at least 20 years old, must be a certified V5RC Head Referee, and must pass this final exam with a score of 80% or better (at least 36 of 45 questions answered correctly).
If you meet the following criteria, you will be given access to post questions in the official VURC High Stakes Q&A on Robot Events. Permissions are generally assigned within 2 weeks of the date that you pass the final exam.
- Must be at least 20 years old at the time you pass the certification exam
- Must pass the final exam with a score of at least 80% (36 of 45 questions)
- Must have a user account on RobotEvents.com
- Must provide the email address associated with the RobotEvents.com account when prompted on the final exam
Certificates 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 VURC Head Referee by contacting your Regional Support Manager.
Need to reach us about a course or certification? Email us at volunteercerts@recf.org.