Competition Day Survival Guide for VEX IQ Parents

Your child’s team has been preparing for weeks. The robot is built, the code is tested, and competition day has arrived. But are you ready?

This guide covers everything you need to know as a VEX IQ parent—from packing the right supplies to navigating the pit area without stepping on toes.

What to Pack

The Essentials Checklist

For the Team:

• Robot (fully assembled and tested)
• Controller and charging cable
• Brain and battery (plus backup battery if available)
• Parts box (extra beams, connectors, pins)
• Engineering Notebook
• Team banner or signage (if you have one)
• Laptop with VEXcode installed

For Comfort:

• Folding chairs (venues often have limited seating)
• Snacks and water bottles
• Phone chargers / power bank
• Layers (gyms can be cold in the morning, warm by afternoon)

For Parents:

• Camera or phone with charged battery
• Cash for concessions (if available)
• Patience and positive attitude

Pro Tip: The “Oh No” Kit

Experienced teams always pack extras:

• Spare wheels and axles
• Extra standoffs and spacers
• Rubber bands
• Spare pins and connectors
• Extra brain battery

You’d be surprised how often a small part breaks right before a match. Having spares can save the day.

Understanding the Venue Layout

Most VEX IQ competitions have four main areas:

Arrive early to find your team’s pit location and get oriented. Most events open doors 30-60 minutes before matches begin.

Pit Area Etiquette

The pit area is where your child’s team will spend most of their day. Here’s how to be helpful while respecting the RECF’s Student-Centered Policy.

Do’s

• Stay behind or beside your team’s table. The walkways need to stay clear for teams moving to and from matches.
• Bring supplies when asked. Water, snacks, and moral support are always welcome.
• Help younger siblings stay occupied. Bored kids wandering the pits can be disruptive.
• Cheer from a distance. Your enthusiasm is great—just not right next to the robot.

Don’ts

• Don’t touch the robot. This is a core rule. Even a helpful touch can be misinterpreted and reported. Let students do all building, repairs, and adjustments.
• Don’t coach during matches. Students need to problem-solve independently. Adults directing strategy violates the student-centered philosophy.
• Don’t crowd other teams’ tables. Give everyone space to work.
• Don’t argue with referees. If there’s a concern, the team mentor should handle it through proper channels.

The Golden Rule

The RECF motto is: “Student Led, Student Success!”

Adults aren’t expected to be 100% hands-off—they can teach, guide, and help students find resources. But they should never do the work for students. The difference? Teach, don’t tell. Help them build skills to work independently.

VEX IQ is about students developing skills through hands-on experience. The struggle is part of the learning. Your job is to support, not solve.

During Matches

When your team is called to queue, they’ll head to the competition field. Here’s what to expect:

1. Queue time — Teams line up 2-3 matches before theirs
2. Partner meeting — 1-2 minutes to strategize with their randomly assigned partner
3. Setup — Place robots on the field
4. Match — 60 seconds of driver-controlled teamwork
5. Scoring — Referees count points while teams clear the field

Where to Watch

Stay in designated spectator areas. Most venues have bleachers or standing areas with clear sightlines to the field. Don’t crowd the field perimeter—referees and queuers need that space.

How to Cheer

Enthusiastic cheering is encouraged! Just keep it positive:

• Cheer for good plays (yours and other teams’)
• Avoid coaching from the sidelines
• Never criticize referees, other teams, or your own kids publicly

Photographing the Moments

You’ll want to capture the day, but competition venues can be tricky. Here’s how to get great shots without being disruptive.

Best Photo Opportunities

Camera Settings

• Use burst/continuous mode for matches
• Turn off flash — it’s distracting and often not allowed
• Zoom in rather than walking closer
• Shoot from spectator areas — don’t enter restricted zones for a better angle

Etiquette

• Don’t block other parents’ views
• Never walk onto the field for a photo
• Ask before photographing other people’s children
• Share your best shots with the team afterward!

Managing Expectations

Here’s the reality: most teams won’t win every match. Some won’t win any awards. And that’s completely okay.

Signs of a Successful Day

Look beyond the scoreboard:

• Did they solve a problem they’d been stuck on?
• Did they work well with partner teams?
• Did they stay positive after a tough match?
• Did they learn something new?

These are the real victories.

When Things Go Wrong

Robots break. Code fails. Matches get lost. Here’s how to help:

1. Stay calm. Your energy affects theirs.
2. Listen first. Let them vent before offering solutions.
3. Focus forward. “What can we try next?” beats “What went wrong?”
4. Celebrate effort. “I’m proud of how hard you worked” matters more than rankings.

The Parent’s Secret Weapon: Other Parents

You’re not alone. The VEX community is full of parents who’ve been through this before. Don’t be shy about:

• Asking questions about the schedule or rules
• Borrowing a spare part in an emergency
• Sharing snacks or coffee
• Comparing notes on what’s worked for other teams

Some of the best friendships form in the pit area. Embrace the community.

Quick Reference: Competition Day Timeline

The Bottom Line

Competition day is long, sometimes stressful, and always memorable. Your role is simple: be present, be positive, and let your child do the work.

The best VEX parents are the ones who show up with snacks, stay out of the way, and celebrate effort over outcomes. Do that, and you’ve already won.

First competition coming up? Check out our guide on Skills Scores Explained to understand every part of the tournament.