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Training volunteer referees for FTC and FLL competitions

Volunteer referees help young engineers experience fair, consistent competition. Their decisions shape how teams handle pressure, solve problems and respond to feedback. In FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST LEGO League (FLL), a referee must apply the rules accurately while supporting a safe and respectful event environment.

A quick briefing before competition is rarely enough, especially when volunteers have little previous experience with robotics scoring. New referees need to understand their authority, practise observable decision-making and learn how event procedures operate. Training should reflect the current season rather than rely on memories from earlier competitions.

Effective preparation combines rule knowledge, realistic scenarios, mentoring and clear readiness checks. It also requires attention to local conditions, safeguarding and the practical needs of volunteers travelling from regional communities. The following pathway helps event organisers turn interested community members into confident referees.

Define the role before teaching the rules

Start by separating the referee role from coaching. A referee observes the match, applies the published rules, records the score and resolves questions through the event’s established process. The role does not include fixing robots, offering strategic advice during a match or penalising a team because its design appears unusual. Give each volunteer a clear role sheet and a concise reference guide to accompany the official manuals, which remain the authority.

Australian events often depend on volunteers from parent networks, universities, makerspaces and community clubs. Training cohorts in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth may therefore combine complete beginners with experienced mentors, while regional volunteers may travel considerable distances. Check the safeguarding requirements that apply in each state or territory; these can include a Working with Children Clearance in New South Wales or a Working with Children Card in Queensland.

Build training around the current season

Begin with the current FLL and FTC game manuals, field layouts, scoring sheets and season summaries. Explain that the two programmes use different scoring and penalty systems, so referees should learn the material for their assigned format first. Training exercises should cover pre-match inspection, legal robot conditions, match conduct, scoring, penalties and the procedure for recording a dispute.

Program pages such as FIRST Tech Challenge can help organisers understand how teams, mentors and volunteers connect within a structured robotics programme. Maryland FIRST offers a useful example of nonprofit coordination, which Australian organisers can adapt through local school networks, community sponsors and regional event partnerships.

Include a practical equipment check. Australian mains electricity is generally 230 volts and uses Type I plugs, so volunteers should confirm that chargers and power supplies are suitable for local equipment. Imported kit accessories may require an appropriate adaptor. Also review battery handling, cable management, loose hardware and the process for reporting damaged field elements before matches begin.

Practise consistent decisions

Scenarios work better when they test observable behaviour rather than vague impressions. Ask trainees what happened, which rule applies and what action the referee must take. Use examples involving boundary crossings, scoring actions, robot contact and disputed penalties, while avoiding assumptions about a team’s intent.

Useful scenarios include situations that require a clear, documented ruling:

Give trainees the same facts in different orders and ask them to reach the same decision. This reveals inconsistencies in their understanding. Use plain language, avoid slang and distinguish personal opinions from official rulings. Feedback should address the rule and the action taken, not accuse a volunteer of favouring one team.

Rehearse a real match-day workflow

A rehearsal should follow the working day rather than simply present more rule questions. Volunteers can rotate through registration, team check-in, field setup, match observation, scoring and reset. Give each person the forms they will actually use, along with clear instructions for radio communication, hand signals and escalation to the lead referee.

Run a mock match with experienced officials watching new volunteers. Pause after meaningful incidents and ask what they saw, what rule they applied and what they recorded. Include both teams in the score confirmation, then give the referees time to compare notes. Practise disagreements, a scoring correction and a safety concern so that the response becomes familiar before a crowded event demands it.

Australian summer conditions deserve attention in the rehearsal plan. December events can bring extreme heat, so provide water, shade and suitable first-aid arrangements. Allow extra travel time for regional teams and schedule equipment charging away from direct sun. A comfortable break area and a clear roster will help prevent fatigue from undermining concentration.

Check readiness before assigning shifts

Readiness should be demonstrated rather than assumed after a presentation. A short knowledge check can confirm understanding of scoring and penalties, but observation is equally important. Pair each new referee with an experienced official for an initial shift, then collect specific feedback about preparation, communication and consistency.

Organisers can use a practical checklist when approving a volunteer:

A lead referee can then sign off the volunteer’s readiness or identify the area needing further practice. Record completed training and any assessments with the event’s volunteer documentation. This creates a fair deployment process and gives organisers useful information when balancing experienced and developing referees across sessions.

Support referees throughout the competition

Training continues after the first event. Hold a short debrief after each session, focusing on difficult calls, unclear procedures and any differences in interpretation. Rotate referees across roles where practical, while avoiding changes that disrupt team consistency. A peer mentor can answer everyday questions between formal debriefs, and event leaders should make sure volunteers know whom to contact when a situation cannot wait.

Strong support systems also depend on local partnerships. Present sponsorship information in Australian dollars and state whether quotes include the 10% GST, because local businesses may be comparing support with other community investments. A directory such as Maryland robotics suppliers illustrates the value of maintaining dependable suppliers. Australian organisers should develop comparable relationships with distributors, makerspaces and industrial suppliers that support regional teams.

Welcome new referees with a clear pathway

Make participation visible by publishing training dates, required preparation, event times and the process for becoming accredited. Provide a named mentor, a current rulebook and a schedule showing who will support the volunteer on the day. Recognise accurate, respectful service, and invite new referees to observe another match once their first supervised shift is complete.

Organisers can begin by selecting the season materials, confirming local safeguarding and electrical requirements, and scheduling a practical rehearsal. Register interested volunteers for training, send them the current manuals and assign each person a mentor before the next competition.