VEX IQ Mix & Match Scorekeeper Training for Teamwork Matches

This article includes tips from experienced Head Referees on how to train and use Scorekeepers for Mix & Match Teamwork Matches. See this related article for tips on training and using Scorekeepers for Mix & Match Skills Matches.

Last updated on October 30, 2025

Thank you for being here! You are in a unique position to help put the teams at ease, help them find answers to questions, and help them avoid breaking the rules.

• All Scorekeepers should have tablets or devices with TM Mobile installed and connected to the server
• One Scorekeeper at each field may queue matches and start/stop the match timer, and will submit the score
• Each Scorekeeper is a valuable set of eyes on a match, with a different viewing angle from the head referee’s; head referees may ask for input on actions you see during the match
• Try to give teams an audible warning if you see them about to break a rule
• If a team asks you a question about the rules, point them to the Head Referee
• Make sure your head referee walks you through how to score a match before the event starts!
• Take your time scoring the first few matches; you'll catch up later even if you fall behind for a little while
• Don't be afraid to ask the head referee any time you or students have questions or concerns!

The lists below are key rules and tasks to keep in mind while watching a match

Before Each Match

• Field requirements
  • Check field setup, and make sure everything is properly connected to the field
  • Check driver station for match loads: 6 pins in each driver station, and the same color as the IQ beam attached to that end of the field floor
• Team requirements
  • The team listed as Team 1 or the Red Team uses the red Driver Station; the team listed as Team 2 or the Blue Team uses the blue Driver Station <SG1>
  • Up to 3 drive team members per robot <GG1>
  • All Drive Team Members must stay in their driver station except during approved robot resets
  • No powered earbuds, headphones, or live communication devices
• Robot requirements
  • Legible license plates visible on two opposing sides <R6>
  • Robot starting positions <SG1>
    • Contacting the triangle goal of their color
    • No larger than 11" wide, 20" long, and 15” tall
    • Not touching the wall
    • Contacting exactly one preload
    • Nothing in motion, but the pneumatic pump can be running
    • 1 preload touching the Robot

During Each Match

• Teams can only reach into the field if rescuing a robot; pins & beams in/on bot are removed from the field; restart area can’t contain pins or beams, and robot has to be in legal starting position & size <GG4> & <GG10>
• Driver switch between 0:35 and 0:25 <GG11>; if single Driver, must stop driving at or before 0:25
• Robots can never be larger than 11"x20" horizontally during a match <SG2>
• Loading pins/beams at the Load Zone:
  • One object at a time
  • Red can only be loaded at the red load zone; blue can only be loaded at the blue load zone
  • Object must be placed in contact with the IQ beam attached to the floor, in stationary positions (not rolling or falling)
  • An object can't be in contact with a human and a robot at the same time
  • Only one object can be in contact with each load zone at a time
• If you're live scoring, stop live scoring with about 5 seconds left in the match so you can help track any scoring actions that happen after the match timer reaches 0

After Each Match

• Communicate any in-match issues to the Head Referee, along with pertinent details
• Score match in TM mobile or on paper scoresheet
• Confirm counts with other scorekeepers in the match if needed
• Show scoring to the teams
• Preserve the match & field layout if there are rules questions or scoring issues; notify the Head Referee
• One person submits score after teams agree
• Tell the teams they can take their bots
• Activate the field reset crew
• Notify queuers to send teams for the next match if needed

Quick Reference for Mix & Match Scoring: Points & Criteria

Connected Pins/Beams <SC3>

• Stack is built up from the Floor, the Standoff Goal, or a Beam
• The objects are fully nested together (no gap between the pieces)
• The resulting Stack is roughly vertical (goes 'up' and not sideways)
• The resulting Stack isn't supported by a Pin or Beam that isn't part of that Stack
• If the Stack is resting or leaning on a Field Element, it's a Load Zone, the base of the Standoff Goal, or the IQ parts on the floor around a Square Goal (can't be leaning or resting on anything else)
• Nothing in the resulting Stack is touching a Robot
• Beams can't be Connected to other Beams
• Each Beam can be Connected to up to 3 Pins/Stacks simultaneously, but all of them have to be fully nested

Colors in Stacks <SC4>

• Objects only count as being part of a Stack if they meet all of the requirements for Connected Pins/Beams (<SC3>)
• A Stack that includes more than one color (blue, red, orange, or gray) of Scoring Object receives
  additional points based on the number of colors in that Stack, up to three colors

Stack in a Matching Goal or Connected to a Beam <SC5> & <SC6>

• There are at least two Connected Scoring Objects in the Stack
• No part of the Stack is touching a Robot
• The Stack meets one or both of the following criteria:
  • It is Connected to a Beam
  • It is entirely within a Goal or Connected to the Standoff Goal (see criteria below), and the bottom color of the Stack matches the color of the Goal

Stack Placed on the Standoff Goal <SC5civ>

• The Stack is above the Standoff Goal in one of the following configurations:
  1. The Stack is Connected to the Standoff Goal
  2. The Stack is Connected up from a Beam that is Connected to the Standoff Goal
  3. The Stack is Connected up from a Beam that is part of another Stack that is Connected to the
  Standoff Goal

Cleared Starting Pin <SC7>

• A Starting Pin is Cleared if no part of its Starting Pin Support is within the volume of a Pin at the end
  of the Match

Robot in Contact with Scoring Objects <SC8>

• A Robot will receive 2 points for ending the Match in contact with Scoring Objects in the following
  scenarios:
  a. The Robot is directly contacting two or more Scoring Objects.
  b. The Robot is directly contacting a Scoring Object that is fully nested with one or more additional Scoring Objects.