Start a Team

Starting an FTC team may seem like a daunting task, but by following these four steps and utilizing the resources found on this page, it is a very manageable process.

1. Build your Team - Teams are made up of students who are ready to take on the challenges of high school level Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics concepts and apply them to robotics.  Gather team members (FTC recommends a team size of about 10 students) from your school and/or community. 
    
2. Register your Team - Once you have gathered your team, go to the Registration section for details on cost, budgeting and instructions on how to register your team.
    
3. Enlist additional Coaches and Mentors - In FTC, the terms Coach and Mentor are used interchangeably to describe an adult team member (18+) who leads students by example.  Mentors are expected to practice Gracious Professionalism™ and act as positve role models for the team.  Coaches and Mentors need not be technical.  Additional Mentors can help with organization, provide snacks, transport youths and provide moral support.  Parents and teachers make excellent Mentors and Coaches.
    
4. Get Started - Review the materials on this website and, if possible, attend events like a kick-off, workshops and scrimmages.  You will also find the following pages very helpful:

• The Game Page - Learn about the annual challenge, robot build rules and what to expect at competition 
• Team Resources - Tools and resources to get you through the season 
• FTC Coaching Resources - This page contains training materials to prepare you to build a successful team
• Season Timeline and Calendar - This page will help you understand the flow of the season and know when your team should meet certain benchmarks.
• FTC Event Finder - Use this tool to find FTC events near you