Guide Library

🏎

Getting Startedbeginner

~6 min read

Driver Role

What a Spartan driver is responsible for — controls fluency, match-day execution, practice volume, the partnership with the strategist.

Open Driver Track →

🧰

Getting Startedbeginner

~6 min read

Engineer Role

What a Spartan engineer is responsible for — build, wiring, CAD, the engineering notebook, and translating strategy into a robot that actually works.

Open Engineer Track →

📊

Getting Startedbeginner

~6 min read

Strategist Role

What a Spartan strategist is responsible for — scoring vocabulary, scouting, picklist building, alliance selection, in-match adjustments.

Open Strategist Track →

💻

Getting Startedbeginner

~8 min read

Laptop Setup Guide

Specs, setup checklist, and storage protocol for school and personal laptops.

Laptop Guide →

🖥️

Getting Startedbeginner

~12 min read

Setup: VS Code + PROS + EZ Template

Install VS Code, PROS, and EZ Template. Upload your first project to the Brain.

Start Setup →

🚀

Getting Startedbeginner

~20 min read

First 30 Minutes in VS Code

Read main.cpp, make your first change, and write a working autonomous.

Open Guide →

🧩

Getting Startedbeginner

~10 min read

Blocks → Text Code

Coming from VEXcode blocks? Side-by-side comparisons, VS Code tour, and a quick-reference cheatsheet.

Beginner Guide →

🪾

Getting Startedbeginner

~15 min read

Clawbot Training Platform

EZ Template on the Clawbot — IMU, chassis config, training drills.

Train on Clawbot →

📡

Getting Startedbeginner

~5 min read

Brain Download & Auton Selector

Upload code, navigate the Brain program screen, and wire the EZ Template auton selector.

Upload & Select →

🏷️

Programmingbeginner

~8 min read

Naming Conventions & Reserved Words

camelCase vs PascalCase, complete list of reserved PROS/EZ names, and a naming quiz.

Open Guide →

⭐

Competitionintermediate

~10 min tool

AWP & Robot Skills Strategy

AWP conditions, skills scoring, rankings, and an interactive run tracker with split times.

Skills Strategy →

🎮

Competitionbeginner

checklist + log

Driver Practice Curriculum

Six-phase practice progression from basic control to match simulation.

Open Guide →

⏱

Competitionbeginner

tool

Match Timer

1:45 practice match countdown with drill timers. Load any drill into the timer. Alerts at :45, :30, and :15.

Open Tool →

📉

Competitionbeginner

tool

Self Score

Tap to tally points during a practice match. Editable categories per game. Saves match history and tracks your personal best.

Open Tool →

🏆

Competitionbeginner

tool

Alliance Picklist

Build your alliance selection picklist. Track candidates, tag capabilities, rank for draft day. Copies to clipboard when the captain calls you.

Open Tool →

🏎

Programmingintermediate

~15 min tool

Driver Control Tuning

Input curves, deadband, turbo scaling, button remapping, and one-button macros with a live visualizer.

Open Guide →

📅

Competitionbeginner

~10 min tool

Season Timeline & Planner

Season phases, milestones, and a planner that calculates dates from your calendar.

Open Guide →

🚫

Competitionbeginner

checklist

Robot Inspection Guide

What inspectors check, size limits, legal parts, wiring rules, and a pre-event checklist.

Open Guide →

⚡

Programmingadvanced

~8 min read

Exit Conditions & Chained Movements

pid_wait_until(), pid_wait_quick_chain(), and swing moves that recover 1–2 seconds per auton run.

Chain Your Auton →

⚡

Programmingbeginner

EZ Template Fresh Setup

From zero to driving robot. File tree explorer, interactive chassis constructor generator.

🎯

Programmingbeginner

Your First Auton: Drive, Turn, Square

Three single-motion exercises that build into a square routine. The gentlest possible intro to writing autonomous code.

🎯

Programmingintermediate

PID Tuning with EZ Template

Interactive PID response curve simulator. Step-by-step tuning sequence using the built-in tuner.

📺

Programmingintermediate

Auton Selector Setup & Strategy

Register routines, use the Brain screen at the field. Interactive Brain simulator.

🏆

Programmingintermediate

Skills Autonomous in EZ Template

60-second solo run design. Field path planner SVG, time budget diagram, IMU reset strategy.

🤖

Programmingall levels

EZ Template AI Assistant

Ask anything about EZ Template. Enter your motor ports and get code answers using your actual config.

⚡

Hardwarebeginner

~10 min read

Wiring Guide & ESD Protection

Port strategy, cable management, service loops, and ESD prevention.

Open Guide →

⚙

Hardwarebeginner

~8 min + calc

Gear Ratios & Motor Speed

Interactive calculator: cartridge, up to 3 gear stages, wheel diameter → RPM, top speed, torque multiplier.

Open Guide →

⚙️

Hardwarebeginner

tool

Gear Ratio Calculator

Standalone calculator: motor cartridge + gear stages + wheel diameter → RPM, speed, torque, and gear chain diagram.

Open Tool →

🎮

Competitionbeginner

~8 min read

Partner Controller

PROS dual-controller setup, dividing driver/operator roles, and building team communication protocols.

Open Guide →

🏎

Programmingintermediate

~10 min tool

Curvature (Cheesy) Drive

FRC 254 control scheme — gentle arcs at speed, tight turns when slow.

Open Guide →

📄

Programmingbeginner

~8 min read

Organizing Code Across Files

Split main.cpp into subsystem files with headers. Find any code fast.

Open Guide →

🐙

Programmingintermediate

GitHub & Programming Workflow

Using Git and GitHub for version control, collaboration, and protecting your code across the season.

Open Guide →

💾

Programmingbeginner

Git & Version Control

Four essential commands, branching for experiments, and tagging competition code. Never lose auton again.

Open Guide →

🚫

Programmingintermediate

~8 min read

Stall Detection

Cut power when intake jams or arm stalls. Current-based and velocity-based detection with auto-reverse.

Open Guide →

⚙️

Programmingadvanced

Finite State Machine

Replace nested if-else spaghetti with clean enum-driven logic for mechanisms and sensor-responsive autons.

Open Guide →

⚡

Programmingintermediate

Bang-Bang Controller

Full power to target, full reverse, repeat. Zero tuning parameters. Live simulation included.

Open Guide →

🎾

Programmingintermediate

Take Back Half (TBH) Controller

One gain, less oscillation than bang-bang. Purpose-built for flywheel velocity control.

Open Guide →

📊

Programmingintermediate

Data Logging to SD Card

Write motor and PID data to SD card, then graph in Excel.

Open Guide →

⚙️

Programmingbeginner

Code Style & Autoformatting

Shift+Alt+F formats instantly. .clang-format setup so every team member’s code looks the same.

Open Guide →

🏆

Competitionadvanced

~12 min read

Autonomous Tournament Strategy

Three-tier auton portfolio, alliance coordination, expected-value math, and pre-match checklist.

Play Smarter →

🧰

Competitionintermediate

Strategist Toolkit

Seven tools, different jobs, one system. What to open, when, and how to combine data with live scouting.

Open Toolkit →

📈

Competitionintermediate

VRC Data Analysis Guide

TrueSkill ratings, event pages, Shadow/Rookie/Veteran tracks, pre-event brief, and assignment tracker.

Start Research →

📊

Competitionintermediate

~5 min tool

Match Scouting Sheet

Interactive scouting form that saves to your device. Sortable records for alliance selection.

Start Scouting →

⚡

Programmingintermediate

~10 min read

Drive and Operate Simultaneously

Intake + arm + drive at once using inline commands and PROS Tasks.

Open Guide →

⚡

Programmingintermediate

~10 min read

PROS Tasks & Multitasking

Run intake and auton simultaneously. pros::Task syntax, shared variable safety with mutex, and 3 most common task bugs.

Open Guide →

🔍

Programmingintermediate

~10 min read

Debugging Techniques for PROS

5 methods in order: Brain screen, terminal printf, LED patterns, SD card logging, pros monitor. Open when something breaks.

Open Guide →

📍

Programmingintermediate

tool

Field Coordinate Mapper

Click to place waypoints on a 12×12 VRC field grid. Add actions, time budgets, and export as code comments.

Open Tool →

💨

Hardwareintermediate

Pneumatics Best Practices

Air budget estimator, build practices, solenoid wiring, 5 programming patterns, single vs double-acting.

Open Guide →

🌎

Competitionintermediate

Route Planning

Match vs Skills planning and the six field variables that break routes.

Plan Routes →

⚡

Hardwarebeginner

V5 Battery Management

LED codes, charging rotation, skills battery protocol, Battery Medic, PROS API, storage best practices.

Open Guide →

🎮

Hardware

V5 Controller Guide

Parts overview, control mapping best practices, pre-match checklist, troubleshooting table, and practice drills. For drivers, programmers, and pit crew.

Start Here →

🌐

Programmingadvanced

Custom Brain Screen

480×240 dashboard: auton selector, timer, motor temps, IMU.

Open Guide →

📝

Competitionintermediate

~15 min read

Engineering Notebook & Design Process

Testing protocols and decision matrices built to the RECF rubric.

Win Design Award →

💭

Notebookintermediate

~6 min read

Notebook Brainstorm Workflow

How to fill the EDP Step 2 (gold) brainstorm slides without copying from reference sites. The 4-round process that earns rubric credit.

Sketch first, research second →

🔬

Competitionintermediate

~10 min read

Testing, Data & Iteration System

Structured test loops, failure protocols, and improvement tracking.

Test Like a Top Team →

⚡

Competitionintermediate

~12 min tool

Game Analysis — Push Back 2025–26

Scoring breakdown, efficiency calculator, and pre-match decision framework.

Analyze the Game →

💻

CADbeginner

~10 min read

Onshape Setup for VRC

Account, VEX part library, and team structure before your first CAD session.

Start Setup →

🚗

CADintermediate

~12 min read

First Drivetrain in Onshape

Frame, shafts, bearings, wheel spacing, motors — with a verification checklist.

Open Guide →

⚙️

CADintermediate

~10 min read

Mechanism Concept Sprint

3 concepts → CAD top 2 → tradeoff matrix → documented selection.

Open Guide →

🔧

CADintermediate

CAD to Build Handoff

Turn your model into a BOM, screw plan, and fabrication notes.

Open Guide →

✂️

CADadvanced

Custom Parts & Fabrication

Delrin vs polycarbonate, DXF for CNC, tolerances, pre-cut checklist.

Open Guide →

🔗

CADintermediate

Assembly Mates & Constraints

All 6 mate types, shaft stack sequence, DOF explained. Interactive explorer + YouTube embed.

Open Guide →

📐

CADintermediate

Full Robot Layout & Packaging

Plan the whole robot before cutting metal. Clickable zone layout, CG estimator, 18" constraint check.

Open Guide →

🔀

CADintermediate

Version Control & Design History

Timestamp designs, branch for experiments, produce notebook-ready version history screenshots.

Open Guide →

🖼

CADintermediate

2D Drawings for Notebook & Build

Create dimensioned drawings, add callouts and BOM table, export to PDF for the notebook.

Open Guide →

🔌

Integrationintermediate

CAD to Code: The Engineering Thread

Map every Onshape measurement to EZ Template config. Connection map + robot config generator.

Open Guide →

🚀

Processall roles

The 3-Day Design Sprint

72-hour workflow from game reveal to working code and 3 notebook entries. All roles, every step.

Open Guide →

🔄

CADall levels

Onshape AI Assistant

Ask anything about Onshape for VRC. Mates, assemblies, drawings, version control, VEX parts library.

Open Tool →

💰

Budgetbeginner

Budget Hub

Central tracker, cost estimator, all budget guides in one place.

Open Guide →

💰

Budgetintermediate

Sponsor Outreach

Tiered packages, outreach sequence, copy-ready email templates.

Open Guide →

💰

Budgetintermediate

Budget Notebook Entries

4 rubric-mapped entries with copy-ready templates for judges.

Open Guide →

💰

Budgetintermediate

Budget Interview Prep

6 judge Q&As with Developing / Proficient / Expert answers.

Open Guide →

💰

Budgetintermediate

BOM → Notebook Cost Table

CSV to Sheets to notebook cost table. Export from Onshape BOM.

Open Guide →

💰

Budgetintermediate

Cost as a Design Constraint

Interactive decision matrix including cost as a weighted criterion.

Open Guide →

🔄

CADintermediate

Onshape BOM Panel

Generate BOM from assembly, CSV export, Education account workarounds.

Open Guide →

⚠️

Hardwarebeginner~8 min read

Shop Safety

PPE, machine-by-machine hazards (X-Carve Pro 4×2 CNC, Dremel LC40 / Flux HEXA / Flux Ador lasers), material hazards (Delrin formaldehyde, polycarbonate, lithium), fire watch, emergency procedures.

Open Guide →

🔧

Hardwarebeginner

V5RC Tools Guide

Hand tools, power tools, starter kits, VEX vs Robosource, safety rules.

Open Guide →

🎰

Mechanismsintermediate

~10 min read

Intake Design for V5RC

Rollers, top-down intakes, and conveyors built to collect cleanly, hand off smoothly, and avoid jams.

Open Guide →

⬆️

Mechanismsintermediate

~10 min read

Lift Systems Guide

Compare arms, four-bars, six-bars, and DR4B. Choose the simplest lift.

Open Guide →

🎯

Mechanismsadvanced

Flywheel Shooter Guide

Build accurate, repeatable flywheel systems with better compression, spin-up, consistency, and velocity control.

Open Guide →

🚀

Mechanismsadvanced

Launcher Systems Guide

Catapults, slingshots, and punchers — timing, reset speed, reliability.

Open Guide →

🔁

Mechanismsadvanced

PTOs & Motor Sharing

Shift motors between systems. When PTOs are worth the complexity.

Open Guide →

⚡

Mechanismsintermediate

Quick-Swap Motor Mounting

Replace a failed motor in under 30 seconds using zip ties.

Open Guide →

🎯

Competitionintermediate

~8 min read

Tournament Pit Crew System

Roles, between-match workflows, and emergency repair protocols.

Build Your System →

🚀

Getting Startedintermediate

Level Up: Advanced Text Coding

Error messages, debugging, compilation pipeline, formatting habits, and 5 practice exercises.

Level Up →

📍

Programmingadvanced

~15 min read

Odometry — Know Where You Are

Tracking wheel theory, EZ Template odom setup, coordinate paths, distance sensor correction, and tuning.

Open Guide →

🔬

Programmingadvanced

reference

PID Diagnostics Guide

Symptom → diagnosis → fix for 8 PID behaviors. EZ Template tuner and pre-competition checklist.

Open Guide →

🔪

Hardwareintermediate

Build Your Odometry Pod

Parts list, bracket template, step-by-step assembly, mounting position, and verification checklist.

Open Guide →

🔬

Hardwareadvanced

~8 min read

Other Odom Pod Designs

Static screw joint, leaf spring, and doubled LS axle pivoting pod. Community CAD files, Echo leafspring video, and EthanMik full tutorial. Requires laser-cutting access.

Open Guide →

🔍

Hardwarebeginner

checklist

Robot Pre-Programming Check

Physical inspection, port log, motor spin test — 16-point pre-flight.

Open Guide →

🏁

Competitionbeginner

checklist

Competition Template & Match Day

PROS hook functions, the full match sequence, and a competition-day pre-match checklist.

Match Day Guide →

🗺

Competition

advanced

Engineering Notebook Pathway

All four notebook guides in one place. Season writing schedule, rubric levels explained, and what Design Award judges look for.

Start the Pathway →

📝

Competitionbeginner

~8 min read

Getting Started with the Engineering Notebook

What judges look for, how to write daily entries, and how to build a notebook all season long.

Start Notebook →

📄

Competition

beginner

How to Use the Notebook Template

The 6-color EDP system, how to keep entries in order, maintain the TOC, and set up navigation for judges.

Open Template Guide →

notebook

📋 Criteria & Constraints Reference

RECF criteria-and-constraints format explained — what each section must contain so your team can write the table in its own words.

beginnerOpen →

notebook

🔍 Notebook Chronology Guide

What RECF judges look for in notebook chronology — how to self-audit for date order, gaps, and EDP coverage before submission.

beginnerOpen →

notebook

🔧 Build Log Entry Guide

Write complete orange EDP entries for every hardware and code change.

beginnerOpen →

⏰

Competitionbeginner

template

Time Management for V5RC Teams

Session templates, season phase allocations, priority rules, and rookie vs advanced defaults.

Open Guide →

📋

Competitionbeginner

Project Management for Student Teams

Ownership maps, milestone templates, sprint boards, risk management, and notebook integration.

Open Guide →

💰

Hardwarebeginner

Budget Management & Parts Planning

Cost categories, must-have vs nice-to-have, ordering workflow, pit box checklist, and judge prep.

Open Guide →

🌞

Competitionbeginner

Outreach, Mentoring & Service

What RECF scores, outreach formats that work, and how to document impact.

Open Guide →

🎤

Competitionintermediate

~12 min read

Judge Interview Playbook

How interviews work, the 8 rubric questions, and the team hand-off strategy.

Prep Interview →

🎤

Competitionintermediate

~15 min tool

Interview Skills Lab

Practice questions for all 8 rubric areas and a full 10-minute mock interview.

Practice Now →

📏

Hardware

Distance Sensor Positioning

Use the V5 distance sensor with EZ Template to align precisely to field walls. Consistent autonomous starts and repeatable skills cycles.

Open Guide →

🔧

Hardware

Sensor Mounting Guide

Where and how to mount the distance sensor for reliable wall-based positioning. Angle rules, bracket options, and competition-proofing.

Open Guide →

⚙️

Programming

Sensor-Based Autonomous

Replace time-based guessing with sensor conditions that react to reality. Consistent skills runs, reliable auton starts, reusable positioning functions.

Open Guide →

📡

Programmingintermediate

~12 min read

Distance Sensor Auton Correction

Use wall resets to correct autonomous positioning. Eliminates battery drift, floor variation, and placement error. EZ Template code + STEM + interview.

Open Guide →

🏆

Competition

Competition Calibration

Pre-match sensor checks, auton selector setup, and the team workflow that prevents selection errors. Good code fails for process reasons — this fixes the process.

Match Ready →

🕮

Competition

Game Manual Breakdown

A 4-pass reading system, section-by-section breakdown, team discussion questions, and a kickoff day checklist. Usable on kickoff day for any V5RC game.

Start Kickoff →

Hardware

Lifting Game Prep

Four-bar, six-bar, chain bar, DR4B — history, decision guide, build fundamentals, coding, and 4-week preseason plan.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Drivetrain Selection

Decision-flow guide: pick the right drivetrain for your team's strategy, skill, and motor budget. Maps team profile to wheel layout, cartridge, and motor count. Pairs with engineering notebook template.

IntermediateEngineer

Hardware

Drivetrain Architectures

4WD, 6WD center-drop, H-drive, X-drive, mecanum compared. Optimal Override config with reasoning behind every choice.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Wheel Placement Guide

Where omnis and traction go. Scrub physics, the 1/16-inch drop, CAD verification, and the optimal Override layout.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Team Hardware Kit

The non-VEX McMaster-Carr parts the team uses to extend the standard kit. Standoffs, spacers, locknuts, raw stock, Loctite. Includes the C-channel internal reinforcement technique. R23a compliance verified.

IntermediateEngineer

Strategy

Kickoff Week Hub

Day-by-day kickoff guide. Identify game type, route to mechanism guides, write all three notebook entries, and assign team roles.

BeginnerAll Roles

Strategy

Alliance Coordination

Alliance coordination strategies and communication

IntermediateAll Roles

Strategy

Alliance Selection & Pick Strategy

Alliance selection process and decision-making

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

Autonomous Routine Builder

Autonomous routine builder and planner

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

Auton Failure Diagnosis

Diagnose and fix autonomous failures systematically

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Competition Day Cheat Sheet

Competition day quick reference cheatsheet

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Drive Team Roles

Three drive-team members per match: who does what, recommended configurations, training gaps to close before competition.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Loader / Human Player Guide

The drive-team role that introduces match loads, places the preload, and reads the match. Universal V5RC rules + Override-specific patterns.

BeginnerAll Roles

Strategy

Mechanism Decision Matrix

Build a weighted decision matrix for mechanism selection

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving rules, timing, and techniques

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Driver Development Track

Driver development curriculum and progression

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Endgame Execution

Endgame timing, execution, and reliability

IntermediateAll Roles

Hardware

End-Game Mechanisms

Endgame mechanism design and build guide

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Endgame Sequence Design

Endgame sequence design and autonomous integration

IntermediateAll Roles

Strategy

EV Calculator

Expected value calculator for match decisions

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

EZ Template Quick Reference

EZ Template quick reference and API lookup

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Field Positioning

Field positioning strategies for offensive play

IntermediateAll Roles

Hardware

Gear Ratio & Drivetrain Speed

Gear ratio calculator and selection guide

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

High-Stakes Driving

High Stakes season-specific driving strategies

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

IMU Setup & Calibration

IMU setup, calibration, and drift correction

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

IMU Setup & Calibration

IMU wiring, mounting, and initial configuration

IntermediateAll Roles

Strategy

Match Reading

Reading the field and opponents during a match

IntermediateAll Roles

Hardware

Motor Allocation Planner

Motor allocation planner for robot subsystems

IntermediateAll Roles

Hardware

V5 Motor Troubleshooting

Diagnose and fix motor faults and overheating

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Offensive Driving

Offensive driving patterns and cycle optimization

IntermediateAll Roles

CAD

Onshape VEX Video Series

Onshape video tutorial series for VRC students

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Pre-Competition Robot Audit

Pre-competition robot audit and checklist

IntermediateAll Roles

Hardware

Robot Rebuild Decision Guide

Framework for deciding when to rebuild vs iterate

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Recovery Driving

Recovery driving after mistakes and robot tips

IntermediateAll Roles

Strategy

Match Score Predictor

Match score predictor and strategy optimizer

IntermediateAll Roles

Strategy

Match Score Simulator

Score simulation tool for match planning

IntermediateAll Roles

Strategy

Team Season Planner

Season planning calendar and milestone tracker

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Robot Skills Score Tracker

Skills run tracker and score progression

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

Autonomous Failure Diagnosis

Identify and fix auton failures — drift, hangs, inconsistency, and competition-day issues. Four-tab structured guide.

IntermediateAll Roles

Programming

Debugging Techniques for PROS

Print debugging, brain screen output, systematic isolation, and common PROS error reference.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Competition Day Cheat Sheet

Morning prep checklist, queue protocol, match-day execution, and Push Back scoring quick reference.

BeginnerAll Roles

Hardware

Endgame Design Guide

Decision framework, mechanism types (pneumatic/motor/passive), reliability testing, and timing practice drills.

IntermediateEngineer

>

Hardware

Sensor Onboarding Roadmap

Priority order, V5 Brain screen calibration, brain placement — the scaffold for sensor work all season.

BeginnerEngineer

Hardware

AI Vision Sensor & AprilTags

PROS API, mounting, AprilTag families, and integration with EZ-Template chassis odometry.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

V5 GPS Sensor Deep Dive

Field code strips, mounting math, quality flags, sensor fusion, and the auton-reset pattern for skills runs.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

V5 Optical Sensor Guide

Hue / saturation / proximity calibration, intake-throat mounting, alliance-color detection.

IntermediateEngineer

Hardware

GPS, Switches & Potentiometer

V5 GPS Sensor, limit/bumper switches, Potentiometer V2. PROS API + EZ-Template patterns.

IntermediateEngineer

Hardware

V5 Rotation Sensor Guide

Centidegree readings, odom tracking wheels, arm angle. Includes Pot V2 vs. Rotation Sensor decision matrix for arm control.

IntermediateEngineer

Strategy

Override Manual Summary

V5RC Override Game Manual v0.1 summarized — confirmed rules, dimensions, and open questions. Cross-reference table to every page that cites each rule.

BeginnerAll Roles

Strategy

Override Endgame Strategy

10-second midfield positional fight, ≤18″ height collapse, defensive pushing for the ~80pt center-goal yellow swing.

IntermediateStrategist

Strategy

Override Toggle & Yellow Pin Strategy

78 yellow halves = 62% of pin scoring. 4 quadrant×3 state mechanics, 240pt steal swings, capture/hoard/steal patterns.

AdvancedStrategist

Strategy

Override Scoring & Strategy

All 5 point sources, PPS math, and the 4-question process for picking your strategy archetype. Worked examples for Cycle Specialist, Toggle Controller, Defender, Solo Scorer.

IntermediateStrategist

Mechanism

Override Secondary Mechanisms

Toggle flipper and pin rotator — the second-tier mechanisms that turn the V1 Hero Bot into a competitive Override robot. V3 polish pass: pneumatic flicker, auto-rotate pickup, sensor consolidation.

AdvancedEngineer

Mechanism

Override Intake Geometry

Real pin/cup dimensions from Appendix A, flex wheel sizing math (Gap = S − D), 5 intake patterns evaluated for Override fit, watt budget reality check.

IntermediateEngineer

Mechanism

Override Defensive Endgame

Pneumatic brakes, drop anchors, drop-center traction. Manual-grounded rule citations (SG12, GG14, R25, S1, SC8.3) with build guide. V2+ territory only — build pickup-and-place reliability first.

AdvancedEngineer

Programming

EZ-Template Version Control

When to update EZ-Template, when to freeze. Semantic versioning, phase-based update policy, full pros c fetch/apply/rollback workflow, judge interview talking points.

IntermediateEngineer

Getting Started

Toolchain Onboarding

VS Code + PROS + EZ-Template + LemLib. Can you use both libraries together? What does good practice look like?

BeginnerEngineer

Notebook

Sensor Notebook Templates

Build, calibration, programming, debug, and tournament log entry templates — EN4-compliant.

IntermediateEngineer

Hardware

DR4B Lift Deep Dive

Double Reverse Four-Bar lift — geometry, gear ratios, motor sizing, EZ-Template patterns.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Chain Bar Lift Deep Dive

Chain bar mechanism — tensioning, end-effector orientation, V5 implementation.

IntermediateEngineer

Hardware

Climbing & Elevation Deep Dive

Climbing mechanisms — ratchets, latches, telescoping arms, end-game hang strategies.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Cascading Lift Deep Dive

Multi-stage telescoping lifts — geometry, string routing, gear ratios, failure modes for tall-reach mechanisms.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Scissor Lift Deep Dive

Stack of X-link pairs that fold flat and extend tall. Mechanically beautiful, rarely competitive in V5RC. The math, the build order, when to use it.

AdvancedEngineer

Hardware

Payload-Aware Design

How to use the weight of game objects in your design — grip force, arm torque, drivetrain, center of gravity, structural deflection. Worked Override examples (73 g pin, 78 g cup) plus a sensitivity table for which calcs are mass-robust.

IntermediateEngineer

Hardware

Compliance (Flex) Wheels

Durometer selection (35A, 45A, 65A), sizing, and when to use compliance wheels in intakes and grippers. Companion to mechanism-intakes and the Architecture E pneumatic side-grab.

IntermediateEngineer

Competition

In The Zone Meta (2017-18)

Cone stacking, mobile goals, archetypes, and what In The Zone teaches us about Override.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Tipping Point Meta (2021-22)

Mobile goals + rings, six-bar lifts, the dawn of V5 odometry-driven autons.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Spin Up Meta (2022-23)

Disks, rollers, flywheels. Hero Bot Disco. Lessons on shooter accuracy and roller mechanism design.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Over Under Meta (2023-24)

Triballs, elevation bars, wings. Maneuverability under field structures.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Override 55W Drivetrain Decision

4 blue motors or 4 green + 2 halves? Walks through the 55W rule, the math, and how to pick the right config for your team.

FoundationEngineer

Competition

High Stakes Meta (2024-25)

Rings, mobile goals, Hero Bot Axel. Wall-stake strategies and ring-color discrimination.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Push Back Meta (2025-26)

Blocks, control zones, descoring, parking endgame. The first 55W drivetrain season and the immediate predecessor to Override.

IntermediateAll Roles

Competition

Skyrise Meta (2014-15)

Cube stacking, vertical builds, the original tall-lift era. World champions 2915A / 9090C / 2131C.

IntermediateAll Roles