Florida FLLCoach's Training

Our Objectives: What is FLL?

Know the lingo The core: Gracious Professionalism

What is a Team? Price Timeline Where to start?

The Game Events and Tournaments Questions

What is FLL? FLL teams learn to make positive

contributions to society. Design, build, test and program robots

using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology Apply real-world math and science concepts Research challenges facing today’s

scientists Learn critical thinking, team-building and

presentation skills  Participate in tournaments and celebrations

FIRSTLEGOLeague

Know The Lingo! FLL – FIRST LEGO League FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition

of Science and Technology Gracious Professionalism -

"Competition for the sake not of destroying one another, but for the sake of bettering and improving both competitors as a result of the competition.“ – Woodie Flowers

The Core:Gracious ProfessionalismGP is:Respect for the feelings, opinions, culture of othersRespect for equipmentGood sportsmanshipBeing friendly and polite at all times to all persons

The good:Fun physical pushing, shoving, or other kid behaviorsTossing LEGO to each otherRunning when appropriate

The BadLaughing at others mistakesMaking negative comments about other teams, robots, shirts, mascots, etc.

What is a Team? 3 to 10 Kids ages 9 through 14 1 or 2 coach’s Holding meetings an average of 2 days a

week for 2 hours per meeting Build and program a robot Do a research project Attend an open practice Attend 2 weekend qualifier tournaments If qualified attend a regional and state

tournaments.

PriceItem Rookie year OnwardsRegistration $225 $225Challenge set $75 $75Robot set $420Practice table $50Divider boxes $20T-shirts $120 $120Tournament registration

$100 $100

Presentation supplies

$50 $50

Total $1060 $570

TimelineAug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

Registration

Build

Research

Open practices

Qualifiers

Regionals

State

World festival andOther invitationals*

*FIRST World Festival by invitation only

Where do I start?1. The coach/mentor2. Prep work3. The team4. Team member selection

1. The Coach/Mentor There can only be one coach

Although it is wise to have a backup/assistant Don’t be afraid to ask parents for help

Must be the leader of the team Does not need technical skills

Kids will pick up the robot without much help Consistency matters – establish a routine early Teach through questions – brainstorm

“what would happen if … ?” “And then … ?” “How will that affect … ?”

Keep presentations to less than 20 minutes Be part of the team, if they are out playing go

play with them

2. Prep work Approximately 2 hours per week

Reading the FLL Forum Coordination help Maintaining equipment

Storage Charging batteries

Interfacing with sponsors Purchasing supplies Registering for competitions

3. The Team Commitment:

Has the same commitment as Soccer or Baseball and should be treated with equal importance

Meetings 2 days a week for 2 hours per meeting

2 weekend tournaments between nov.1 and feb.1

3 to 10 students (optimum 6 or 7) ages 9 through 14

Has the Coach at every meeting Has planed location

4. Team Member Selection 3 to 10 members aged 9 through 14 Important commitment with Saturday or

Sunday tournaments Sign contract/agreements for participation Charge for participation?

County Soccer = $90-$210 per season Baseball = $75-$250

No I in Team Do not let members work alone Avoid sending the robot home with anyone

Assign homework and report outs.

Dealing with problem parents or team members Its not uncommon to have difficulty with team

members or parents, these problems can be dealt with easily by setting clear rules

Use the Contract and make sure parents and kids understand what is expected

Ideas for dealing with … Deal with problems directly and quickly Make discussions private, out of earshot of

the team If problems with members persist, have the

child taken home. Remove problem members, send them to the

corner, out of the group but within earshot If the issue remains unresolved remove them

from the team. While this is hard to do it can make the difference between a happy or stressed team

The Game

The Robot Game rules are released each year on September 3 Only a small percentage of teams achieve a perfect

score There is no “correct” solution – only creative solutions Any LEGO element that is not excluded by the rules

can be used You may not modify any part unless an exemption is

in the rules Ask Questions The rules are literal and are not up for interpretation Don’t make up rules Keep score at every meeting The robot counts towards 33% of your score

The Research Project All parts of the research project must be completed

Find a problem Find a solution Prepare a presentation Share your ideas with someone who cares Create a 5 minute presentation for judges showing

everything you did. Let the kids be creative There are no right answers – only creative solutions The project can be as sophisticated as the team makes

it, but should reflect the teams interests and capabilities READ THE RULES The Research Project counts towards 33% of your score

Project Continued…. The saying “there is no wrong answer.”

is wrong!!! The rules must be followed or the

project will be wrong!!! As the coach, you must be the cop,

good or bad – its your job as the coach!!!

Core Values (Teamwork) Allow the team to choose a name, mascot,

design t-shirts, hats and buttons Play teambuilding games Design giveaways

Teams actively trade trinkets at tournaments Problem solve in small groups Schedule demonstrations for parents Core Values counts towards 33% of your

score Play soccer/launch soda rockets/watch a

movie/get ice cream HAVE FUN!

Tournaments and Events Kick-Off: Teams come to get a close-up look at the game after it is

announced, explanation of the research project and other great information. September 10th

Open Practice: Teams spend the day with other teams working informally on the robot research and teamwork

Local/Practice Tournament: Low key practice event, no advancement.

Qualifying tournament: Teams compete and are judged using FIRST rubrics and scoring – winners advance to Regionals.

Regional Tournaments: winning teams from each region compete for advancement to the State Championship

State Championship: Competition and exhibition of the 48 best teams in Florida

Teams my apply for as many qualifiers as they wish, and are able to win awards at all tournaments. Qualifying teams will be assigned to Regionals.

Basics of Tournaments This is a competitive sport FITST LEGO League provides the structure and

rules of competition Points are awarded based on the FIRST FLL

Rubrics The team with the highest robot score does not

always win the Champions Award Teamwork and GP will shine more than a slick

robot Any GP violations committed by anyone

associated with your team will reflect poorly on your team, possibly removing you from award contention.

Be prepared

FYI FIRST Teams and volunteers set up,

organize and run the events and competitions in a way that is fun and fair, adhering strictly to the FIRST FLL rules

Host FLL teams may not participate in their own events

Teams may be asked to bring their playing field to events to help support the hosting team

Florida Robotics Education Inc. and anyone associated in running Florida FLL events are volunteers.

Questions?