Alliances, Rankings, and Playoffs

The two halves of an event

Every FRC event has two distinct phases: Qualification matches (where you build a ranking) and Playoffs (where alliances fight for the trophy).

Qualification matches: building your ranking

At an event, every team plays a schedule of qualification matches (commonly around 8–12), each time with randomly assigned alliance partners and opponents. This randomness is part of why Coopertition matters — you must cooperate with strangers every match.

Teams are ranked by Ranking Score , calculated as totalRanking Points divided by the number of qualification matches played. You earn RP for winning, a partial amount for a tie, and bonus RP for completing the game’s special objectives. The result is a ranking list from #1 to last, with defined tiebreakers in the Game Manual.

Alliance selection: the draft

After qualifications, the top 8 ranked teams become Alliance Captains (Alliance 1 through Alliance 8). In a live, on-field ‘draft,’ each captain picks partner teams to form a playoff alliance. Picked teams can accept or decline. The picking order snakes (Alliance 1 picks first in round 1; the order reverses in round 2), and after both rounds each of the 8 alliances has three teams plus eligibility for a fourth ‘backup’ team. Because top seeds pick first, a strong but lower-ranked robot is often selected by a high seed — meaning a rookie team that plays well can still reach the playoffs even without a top ranking.

Playoffs: double elimination

The eight alliances compete in a double-elimination bracket with an Upper and Lower bracket. Key points:

• In the playoffs, alliances are fixed — you stick with your alliance.
• You don’t earn Ranking Points anymore ; you simply win or lose matches and advance through the bracket.
• ‘Double elimination’ means an alliance must lose twice (drop to the Lower bracket, then lose again) before being knocked out, so one bad match isn’t fatal.
• The bracket resolves to a final , and the winning alliance takes the event’s championship.

Why a rookie should care

Understanding this structure changes your strategy:

• In qualifications , play consistently and chase RP bonuses — even losses can earn RP and help your average.
• Be a great alliance partner. Captains pick teams that are reliable, communicate well, and play a clear role. A rookie that does one job flawlessly (e.g., reliable autonomous + endgame climb) is a desirable pick.
• Scouting matters. Teams keep detailed data on every robot’s performance to decide whom to pick — scouting is a real, valued role (covered later).

The bigger picture

Winning an event — or earning a qualifying judged award like the FIRST Impact Award — can advance a team toward the FIRST Championship. So qualifications, alliance selection, and playoffs aren’t just about one trophy; they’re steps on the path to Houston.

Learn more

• The Blue Alliance (see real rankings and brackets): https://www.thebluealliance.com
• FRC District & Regional Events: https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/district-regional-events

Key takeaways

• Events have two phases: qualification matches (random partners, build Ranking Score = RP per match) then playoffs (fixed alliances).
• After qualifications the top 8 teams become Alliance Captains and draft partners in a snaking order; each alliance ends with three teams plus a backup, and strong lower-ranked teams can still get picked.
• Playoffs use a double-elimination bracket (lose twice to be out), and teams stop earning RP — they just win or lose to advance.

This lesson was adapted from learnfrc.com.