A. Expectations:
The Cow Town Throw Down is being offered in order that high school students might have another opportunity to get excited about the possibilities related to science and technology. While planning has been thorough, we should all expect some glitches. All team leaders and adult volunteers are expected to model gracious professionalism for the students we are attempting to serve.
If you have any questions on the day of the event, please look for volunteers wearing shirts that say Cerner or Staff.
B. Arrival and Unloading:
Cerner has provided detailed instructions to help teams successfully arrive, unload, and navigate the environment. For further details, please see the facilities section of this document.
C. Rules of the Game:
FIRST and the Game Design Committee did an excellent job creating rules for the 2011 game, Logo Motion. At the Cow Town Throwdown, we've had the luxury of experiencing not only the official LogoMotion rules through a complete season but also some exciting rule changes implemented for the Indiana Robotics Invitational off-season event this past July. These rule changes were developed by a group of award-winning FIRST mentors and officials and proved to make LogoMotion even more exciting than the regular-season game. We were fortunate enough to gain access to this updated Game Management System for Cow Town Throwdown! The attached link describes these changes in detail but the highlights are listed below.
Click here for detailed 2011 Cow Town ThrowDown LOGOMOTION rule changes
In summary these rule changes are as follows
- Ubertube may be in play during driver mode, acting as doublers. Ubertubes placed during driver mode do not get the 6 point bonus.
- Mini-Bot points are as such: 20 for winner, 20 for second, 15 for third, 15 for fourth.
- Lane violations will be called if this hinders the opponents’ actions or if a tube is touched.
D. The Pits:
Each team will be provided a designated 9’ x 9’ pit located in the same space as the competition field. Pits will be equipped with a six foot table, two chairs, and a single 110v outlet. Cordless hand tools are recommended as the total current available to each pit will be limited.
E. Courtesy Pit:
A machine shop will not be available. However, an easily found courtesy pit with a drill press and a band saw will be available in the same building as the competition. Some spare parts may also be available. In the spirit of gracious professionalism, teams are encouraged to share parts as becomes necessary. Please make plans to limit tools used to cordless hand tools.
F. Inspections and Weigh-In:
The only inspection that will occur is a basic safety inspection of your robot. The honor system (that gracious professionalism thing again) is in effect.
G. Practice Rounds:
Facilities permitting; practice rounds are available on the main competition field Friday beginning at 3:30. Practice rounds will end at 7:00pm.
H. Qualification Rounds:
Once positive check-in of teams is completed on Saturday morning, a qualification round schedule will be developed and published. One hard copy of the schedule will be distributed to each team at their pit. The schedule will also be posted on screens at the help desk in the competition building. Staff will be devoted helping teams queue for each round; however it is each individual team’s responsibility to be present for their match. If a team fails to arrive at the playing field on time, the match will begin without them.
I. Alliance Selection:
The ALLIANCE selection process will consist of three rounds during which each ALLIANCE CAPTAIN will invite a TEAM seeded below them from outside the Top 8 in the standings to join their ALLIANCE.
Round 1: In descending order (ALLIANCE One to ALLIANCE Eight) each ALLIANCE CAPTAIN will invite a single TEAM.
Round 2: The same method is used for each ALLIANCE CAPTAIN'S second choice except the selection order is reversed, with ALLIANCE Eight picking first and ALLIANCE One picking last.
Round 3: ALLIANCE One will pick first then going in order with Alliance EIGHT picking last.
This process will lead to eight ALLIANCES of four teams. ALLIANCES may compete with any three of their four robots in any given elimination match.
Click here for detailed 2011 Cow Town ThrowDown LOGOMOTION rule changes
J. Elimination Rounds:
Once alliances have formed, an elimination round schedule will be developed and published. Again, one hard copy will be brought to each team’s pit. These rounds will follow the structure developed by FIRST.
K. Awards:
Awards will be scaled down from what occurs at a typical FIRST regional. Cow Town champions and runners-up will be recognized with trophies. There will also be four-six other awards that will be decided by ballot of all student team members present at the event. These will be made known on the website in the near future. click here for awards category information.
L. Safety:
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First Aid- Should First Aid become necessary, please seek a Cerner volunteer or report to the registration / Information desk. |
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Pit Safety- As with FIRST competitions, safety glasses must be worn in and around the pits by everybody at all times. Extra safety glasses will not be available at the site. Each team should bring at least 10 extra safety glasses for parents and other spectators to put on when they visit your pit area. |
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General Conduct- All participants and supporters are expected to exhibit gracious professionalism during the entire competition. Any behavior that leads to a potential safety concern may result in a warning to the individual(s). Extreme behaviors will not be tolerated and could lead to removal from the event and site. |
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Safety Communication- If you have any safety concerns during the event, please notify a designated volunteer. |
