2024 - 25 Alliance Selection Script

Updated 1/09/25

Scoring System Automation:

 This script is provided for reference, but events are strongly encouraged to use the built-in scoring
system script automation
 Scoring system will auto-populate known information and guide the MC/Presenter through the
correction process based on HQ requirements
 This script is available when logged into the MC role in the scoring system

Important Notes:
 The Alliance Selection is an important part of the FIRST® Tech Challenge event for both teams and the
audience and should be presented exactly as scripted.
 The number of alliances which will be formed is based on the number of teams included in the
Qualification Schedule. Details on the alliance selection process are available in the Competition
Manual, in section 13.6.1.

 Before beginning alliance selection determine with field staff where each Alliance Captain will stand, if
the event is live streaming the camera locations may need to be adjusted.

Key:
[Green Highlight] – If using the scoring system script feature, data will automatically be filled in
[Yellow Highlight] – User must fill-in data based on their event information
(Action) – Indicates an action or non-verbal interaction
(Blue Highlight) – This indicates a transition from between Ceremony and Matches

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Speaker Dialogue Blocking Notes

Emcee WOW what a great day of qualification matches so far! The Emcee runs the alliance
selection in the same area as the
It’s now time to move onto the playoff portion of the
playing fields.
competition!
But first, with [Insert number of teams] competing today
we need to form the [2/4/6/8 from Table 13-2 in the
Competition Manual] alliances that will compete to
become the INTO THE DEEP presented by RTX winners,
here at the [Insert name of Event].

Emcee Here is how we select alliances: SINGLE DIVISION:

First, we will announce the top [2/4/6/8] ranked teams as Follow as written
alliance leads. Each of these alliance leads will have a
DUAL DIVISION:
student representative, the Alliance Captain, join us on the
field. Each division selection can be
done as a combined ceremony or
The first selection will begin with the highest-ranked team
two parallel events.
based on qualification match performance. After the number
one ranked team makes their selection, the next highest The selections should occur at
ranked and unpicked team will then make their selection. close to the same ending time so
that playoff match can start at the
We continue this process until we have [2/4/6/8] complete
same time.
alliances, each alliance will be made up of two teams.
One division should not have
After an Alliance Captain extends an invitation to join their
measurably more time between
alliance, the student representative from the invited team
alliance selection and the
will come up and either accept or decline the invitation.
beginning of playoff matches.

Emcee If a team declines an invitation to become an alliance

partner, that team may not be invited to join any other
alliance. The declining team does not, however, lose their
right to select if they become an Alliance Captain.
For example, in an event with four or more alliances: if the
number one ranked team picks the number four ranked
team and they decline, the number four ranked team keeps
their right to be an Alliance Captain and the number one
ranked team will need to extend the invitation to another
team. The number four ranked team cannot be invited to
join another alliance.
If the number four ranked team accepts the invitation, the
next highest ranked team will move into that position.
Throughout the day, teams have been scouting each other
to evaluate strengths, weaknesses and possible
collaborative strategies in the playoff rounds. This is where
we see “scouting” come into play as teams decide who to
partner with. Each Alliance Captain is looking to make the
strongest possible alliance to play out the rest of the event
with.

Emcee Once we have [2/4/6/8] complete alliances, we will begin

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 the playoff matches, which play in a double elimination
bracket.
In a double elimination tournament, all alliances will start off
in the upper bracket where they will play one match against
another alliance. The losing team will drop to the lower
bracket and face a new alliance in the next round, after they
have lost a second time they will be eliminated from the
tournament.
Alliances will continue to play until there is only one alliance
remaining that has not lost twice.

Emcee Teams who advance from this event will receive an Your Program Delivery Partner
invitation to [Insert next level of Tournament play] must confirm the number of teams
advancing from this event and to
This event will be advancing a minimum of [insert number]
where.
of teams to the next event.

Emcee Before we start alliance selection, we need to make sure all Before starting alliance selection,
teams have a representative present. If your team will not make sure all teams have a
be able to participate in the playoff matches, please let me representative present. If a team
the scorekeeper know so your team can be marked as will not be able to participate in the
unavailable before selection begins. playoff matches, please let the
scorekeeper know so they can be
(Pause for any teams to remove themselves from
marked unavailable and this event
playoffs)
will have the appropriate number
There’s a lot on the line here. Let’s meet the teams! of alliances.
Teams, please come on up here when you hear your team
number and name called.

Emcee Please welcome the number eight seed, team # If applicable, Table 13-2
[Insert Team # and name]. Number eight seed comes to the
front by the Emcee

Emcee Please welcome the number seven seed, team # If applicable, Table 13-2
[Insert Team # and name]. Number seven seed comes to the
front by the Emcee

Emcee Please welcome the number six seed, team # If applicable, Table 13-2
[Insert Team # and name]. Number six seed comes to the
front by the Emcee

Emcee Please welcome the number five seed, team # If applicable, Table 13-2
[Insert Team # and name]. Number five seed comes to the
front by the Emcee

Emcee Please welcome the number four seed, team # If applicable, Table 13-2
[Insert Team # and name]. Number four seed comes to the
front by the Emcee

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Emcee And now please welcome the number three seed, team # If applicable, Table 13-2
[Insert Team # and name]. Number three seed comes to the
front

Emcee And now, the number two seed, team # Number two seed comes to the
front
[Insert Team # and name].

Emcee And finally, our number one seed, congratulations to team # Number one seed will stand next
[Insert Team # and name]. to the Emcee.

Emcee Now, our number one seed will make the first pick. Which Emcee will move next to the
team would you like to invite to join your alliance? number one seed and ask:

(Every team has the option to decline, but only Alliance Teams respond with something like:
Captains can decline and select another partner.): “Team #xxxx would like to invite team
#xxxx to be our alliance partner.”
(non-captain should be asked) Do you accept this
invitation to form an alliance? At this time, the invited team
representative will come to the
(Alliance Captain should be asked) Do you accept or
front
would you prefer to form your own alliance?
Teams respond with something like:
“Team #xxxx accepts”

Emcee Congratulations! Now we’ll move down to the next Alliance If #1 chooses Seeds 2, 3, etc and
Captain! they accept the invite, slide the
other Alliance Captains up and ask
the next highest ranked team’s
Which team would you like to select to join your alliance? student representative to join you
on the field, putting them into the
last Alliance Captain spot.
Do this for any later selections as
well. You should always have all
Alliance Captain spots filled on the
field before you move on to ask for
the next selection.
STOP before you complete the last
selection to complete the alliances.

Emcee Before we learn who the last Alliance Captain’s selection

will be, one last note.
Immediately following the selection, the Head Referee will
meet with all the alliance team representatives here on the
field to cover the rules of the playoffs.
After the final selection, the Alliance Captains meeting with
the Head Referee should include the Alliance Captain who
will be on the drive team during playoffs, since this meeting
with the Head Referee will cover specifics to the playoffs.
If your team is one of the [2/4/6/8] Alliance Leads and you
plan to switch out your Alliance Captain for the playoffs, we
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 will ask that you have that person ready to send down to the
field immediately following alliance selection.

Emcee Team [insert team number] which team would you like to
select to join your alliance?

Emcee Well done. This is going to be an exciting tournament. Let’s After you have completed all the
have a round of applause for all the teams competing here alliances, you say:
today. Congratulations to all for giving your best efforts in
today’s competition!
Each alliance should send their playoff Alliance Captain to
meet with the Head Referee now to review tournament rules
[Insert Location].
We’re going to let the alliances talk strategy now and Beginning of playoff time set by
prepare for the playoff matches, which will begin at [Insert scorekeeper before alliance
Time]. selections starts, can be adjusted
Awards will be presented alongside the playoff matches. immediately following selection
We’ll see you back here in just a bit. Thanks everyone! process if needed.

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