1. Facing Your First Tournament

You’ve spent hours building your beetleweight robot (3 pounds or less). Now, your first tournament is almost here! Feeling nervous is normal. You might worry about your budget, tools, or safety. Don’t stress. With a clear plan and a focus on safety, you’ll be ready for your debut.

Key Insight: Winning isn’t about expensive tools or a big budget. Preparation, smart choices, and safety matter most. Every match is a chance to learn and improve.

2. Learn the Rules and Tournament Format

Before you pack your robot, take time to understand the tournament rules. Most events use single or double elimination brackets—just like sports playoffs. Your beetleweight will compete against others in the same weight class, so everyone starts on equal ground.

Every event begins with a safety inspection. The most important check is the failsafe: this feature shuts down your robot if it loses connection with your controller. This isn’t just a rule—it keeps everyone safe, including you.

3. Build Your Pre-Tournament Checklist

Packing for a tournament is like packing for a camping trip. You don’t need every tool—just the essentials. Here’s what to bring:

• Spares: Extra wheels, wedges (the angled front piece for getting under opponents), and batteries. These parts take the most damage.

• Basic hand tools: Wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers. If you’re on a budget, share tools with teammates.

• Other essentials: Chargers, tape, zip ties, and your radio transmitter.

Key Insight: A good checklist saves time and stress. Focus on parts that break most often—wheels, wedges, and batteries are smart spares.

4. Safety Check: Your Top Priority

Never skip a safety check. Before you leave home, test your failsafe. Here’s how: Turn on your robot, then switch off your transmitter. If your robot stops moving right away, the failsafe works. This is your main defense against accidents.

Test all moving parts before each event. If you use a servo (a motor that moves parts to precise positions, like a lifter or self-righting arm), check that it responds correctly. Always test your failsafe every time you power up.

Key Insight: Double-check your failsafe before every match. It’s not just a rule—it’s essential for safety.

5. Simple Strategies for the Arena

You don’t need to be a strategy expert to compete. Start simple. For example, if your robot is a wedge, your main goal is to get under other robots—especially those with spinning weapons called spinners (robots with a spinning disk or bar).

Watch how others drive and learn from their matches. If your first plan isn’t working, try something new. Every fight teaches you something valuable.

Example: If your wedge isn’t getting under opponents, try approaching at a different angle or adjusting your driving speed.

6. Quick Repairs and Troubleshooting

After each match, inspect your robot. Look for loose wires, bent parts, or anything unusual. Think of it like checking your bike after a tough ride. Small fixes—like using zip ties, tape, or rubber bands—can keep you in the game.

Quick repairs between rounds can make a big difference. Don’t let a loose bolt end your run early!

Key Insight: Fast inspections and simple fixes help you stay in the tournament, even on a budget.

7. Ready to Compete!

Let’s review: Learn the rules, pack smart, test your safety features, keep your strategy simple, and be ready for quick repairs. Use a checklist to cover all the basics.

Remember, the combat robotics community is friendly and helpful. Ask questions and don’t hesitate to borrow tools or advice.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Always use a checklist for prep and safety.

• Practice testing your failsafe before every match.

• Treat every match as a learning opportunity. Experience is more valuable than winning.

• Connect with the community for tips, resources, and support.

Go tackle your first tournament—put safety first, and have an amazing time!