Advancement & Brackets: The Path to Worlds

So you want to go to the World Championship. Do you know exactly how to get there? It’s surprisingly complicated. The “Advancement Order” determines who packs their bags and who goes home.

The Holy List: Order of Advancement

When a tournament ends, slots are handed out in a specific order. If a team double-qualifies (e.g., they Win the robot game AND win Inspire), the slot passes down.

1. Inspire Award Winner (The Golden Ticket)
2. Winning Alliance Captain (Robot Game Winner)
3. Inspire Award 2nd Place
4. Winning Alliance 1st Pick
5. Inspire Award 3rd Place
6. Winning Alliance 2nd Pick (Only at some events!)
7. Think Award Winner

Key Takeaway: The Inspire Award is incredibly powerful. It punches above the Winning Alliance 1st Pick.

The Bracket System: Double Elimination vs. Single Elimination

Traditionally, FTC was best 2-of-3 single elimination. Move up or go home. Recently, many regions have tested Double Elimination.

• Double Elim Advantage: You can lose one match (due to a disconnect or bad luck) and still fight your way back through the Lower Bracket to win it all.
• Strategy: In the Lower Bracket, you play MORE matches. This means more battery drain and more wear-and-tear. Durability becomes king.

Alliance Selection Strategy

If you are Rank 1, who do you pick?

• The Best Scorer: Usually the safe bet.
• The Best Complement: If you are a shooter, maybe you need a specialized defender or feeder?
• The “Anti-Pick”: Pick a strong team just so your opponent doesn’t get them. (“Denial Picking”).

Captain vs. 1st Pick

Being the 1st Pick of the #1 Alliance is often a better ticket to Worlds than being the Captain of the #4 Alliance.

• Don’t have an ego. If the #1 Seed invites you, say YES. Riding their coattails to a Blue Banner is a valid strategy.

Conclusion

Understanding the bracket allows you to make smart choices. Sometimes, it’s better to accept an invitation than to try and be a hero. Know the rules, play the numbers, and punch your ticket.