Overview
This document provides an overview of the VEX Tournament Manager (TM) Operator volunteer role, including expectations, skills required, and recommended training. VEX TM Operators are responsible for using VEX Tournament Manager Software to initiate matches, record scores, and display match results and awards information at appropriate times.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Physical Activity: Low (Mostly sitting)
Skills Needed:
- Experienced volunteers are preferred, but new volunteers can be trained in advance
- Comfortable using a computer
- Pay attention to detail
Responsibilities
- Understand whether field control is separate from scorekeeping or combined.
- Confirm the event has been properly set up in the TM software.
- Verify the system is operating properly.
- Verify the proper information is on the proper display.
- Maintain sight lines with the Emcee for all program levels.
- For V5RC, start autonomous portion of the match and resume driver control portion on cue from the Emcee.
- For V5RC, record autonomous winner if needed.
- For all program levels, confirm the scores from the score tablets or paper score sheets after each match and coordinate with the Emcee to display match results at appropriate times.
- For VIQRC, create Finals matches. For V5RC, manage the alliance selection process and create Finals matches.
- For all program levels, fill and display award slides.
- Be cognizant of the time cycle of matches and work closely with the rest of the field team to stay on schedule.
Training & Preparation
- Get familiar with how matches are run. It is helpful to attend a local event prior to volunteering
- Review the articles in the section "Using Tournament Manager Software"
On Event Day
Dress Code: Wear comfortable team-neutral clothing that is appropriate for a school related event, closed toe shoes, and a volunteer shirt (if provided).
Arrival: Sign in at Volunteer Check-in, then report to the Field Manager in the game field area for your assigned field.
Location: Report to your game field at least 30 minutes before the practice and qualification matches begin.
Review: A short on-site training may be provided by the Field Manager to coordinate match flow with the Emcee and Head Referee, and discuss other match related procedures.
Process
Before matches begin, work with your Field Manager to set up and prepare. You will need to print the match list once the Field Manager gives the go-ahead that the team list is final. Determine how many match lists you need to print, and who gets them (Emcees each get a copy, and others may need copies as well).
During the event, use the Tournament Manager software to initiate matches. Work with the Emcees to coordinate when you are ready so they can call the start time for VIQRC, and both Autonomous and Driver Control periods for V5RC. After each match, record scores collected from the Referees for all programs.
Coordinate with the Emcees to display match results at appropriate times between matches. Take direction from the Field Manager. Take match start/stop queues from the Emcee or Head Referee as designated by the Field Manager.
- Pay close attention at the start of a match in case a match must be aborted.
- Remember the sequence of posting appropriate information on the different screens that the system is controlling (on-deck, current match, match results, rankings, etc.).
- Be cognizant of the match cycle time being run at this event. During the early matches focus on this to prevent time being lost needlessly. Once the team working the field finds its rhythm, things should progress smoothly.
After the qualification matches are completed:
- Print Qualification and Skills Rankings for Judges.
- VIQRC: Create Finals matches using the number of alliances set by the Field Manager.
- V5RC: Coordinate with the Emcee and Field Manager to run the alliance selection process. The Field Manager will indicate the number of alliances based upon the current V5RC Game Manual instructions. Create Elimination matches after the alliance selection process is complete.
- Run Finals/Elimination matches (similar to running Qualification matches).
After Finals/Elimination matches are completed:
- Coordinate with the Judge Advisor to fill in judged award winners in the Awards tab. Use the “Auto-fill” button to fill in performance-based award winners.
- Create the appropriate Award slides in the Awards tab. Coordinate with the Emcee and Field Manager to display Award slides during the awards ceremony.
After the event, save the Tournament Manager file and coordinate with the Event Partner to upload the results to RobotEvents.com.