FTC:Pit Design

The team pit area is the space a team is given at a FIRST Tech Challenge event. Teams will use this space to store supplies, fix their robot and meet with judges. The pit is the “home base” for the duration of the event.

A team’s pit is an extension of the their brand. How a team designs their pit tells the world who they are at a glance. It is a chance to impress the public, judges and other FTC teams. So pit design should be done thoughtfully and intentionally. This page describes what should be considered when designing a pit.

Gathering Information Before Planning

Before planning the space, find out what is being provided by event organizers. Nearly all events will assign a location and offer a few basic supplies. Here are some of the questions that can be asked about the pit.

• What are the dimensions of the space? Most pits are 10’x10’x10’, but this can vary due to available space.
• Will teams be given a table and chairs, or should they bring their own?
• How is electricity being delivered to the pit? Is a power strip supplied, or one lone extension cord?
• Will the pit be located near a door or another high traffic area? If so, plan on taking advantage of the foot traffic.
• Where is the pit going to be located within the venue? If a team's pit is located in the middle of a row of pits, the layout design will be very different than one of the coveted corner locations.
• Is the general public going to have access to the pit area? If so, expect, and plan for, larger crowds of people.

Basic Considerations

As planning begins, think about how the space will be used and what will need to be stored at the pit during the tournament.

• Make sure to create a flat workspace where the robot can be fixed, and designate a place for keeping tools.
• Set up a charging station for batteries and personal cell phones in an area close to the electricity.
• Decide where to store outerwear, coolers, giveaways, and anything else that might be needed.
• Avoid looking messy by using tablecloths and bring storage bins to organize everything. Think about using vertical space for storage(eg: a coat tree or shelf unit) and plan to use the space under the tables.
• Make sure the team name and number are large and obvious for queuers and judges.
• If a team has a well-established team brand make sure to incorporate the team logo and colors as much as possible in the decor.

Plan for Judging

One rookie mistake in pit design is to not plan for [pit judging]. First impressions count! So when creating a design, think about these questions:

• Is the team name and number obviously displayed so judges will be able to find the pit? Is it up high where it won’t be hidden by crowds?
• Is there space for 2-4 judges to gather around the robot and ask questions?
• Are prototypes, engineering portfolio, and any other demonstration pieces organized and within easy reach to show a judge when asked?

Gracious Professionalism

The ideal of Gracious Professionalism should be projected by your team at all times, and this extends to the pit design.

While planning, make sure to consider neighbors. Don’t squeeze their space with a too-big tent. If erecting a sidewall, make sure it isn't blocking their light or view. Don’t use flashing lights, loud music, scrolling marquee signs or anything else that might bother the teams nearby. Avoid placing signs or displays in public walkways. Remember that the design of the pit can impact a team’s reputation, and plan accordingly.

Determine Pit Goals

Some teams use their pit to hang out and get away from the crowd, while others want to create a welcoming environment that lures people inside. Decide what is needed at a pit and plan accordingly.

Team-centric

If it is desired to have personal space to decompress, and a large area to work in, perhaps place your table along the open side of the pit to create a barrier between the team and the public. This provides a lot of work and storage space, but requires visitors and judges to stand in the public walkway.

Public-centric

If it is desired to welcome people in, make sure to keep the walkway side of the pit free from tables or anything else that blocks access. Create an eye catching display across the back using tables, a backdrop, and team banner with your logo. This will lure people into the pit and create a welcoming space. Since people naturally avoid crowded areas, make sure that not too many team members are hanging out in the pit at any one time.

Expectations for Pit Design

There is a very big difference between the pits at a regional tournament versus one at the World Championships. As the competition level increases, pits will look increasingly professional.

These are some examples of how pits can vary by competition level. However, expectations for the pit differ by region. If this is a team's first tournament, reach out to a veteran team and ask what is typical for that area.

Tournament Level	Description of pits	Example
Local/regional tournament	At smaller tournaments, teams often will only bring a basic tablecloth, team banner, and maybe one additional table to display their Engineering Portfolio. These are one-day events and the pits are designed to be put up, and taken down, easily.
State tournament	State tournaments usually have more elaborate pits, especially if they are multi-day events. Expect backdrops, tents, and more elaborate displays. However, a simple table and banner setup is still common among first time teams.
World Championships	At the World Championships, it is common to see elaborate displays, professional lighting, and pits designed to welcome the public into the space. A good deal of time and money can be spent designing the perfect pit, but it is possible to make a very nice pit on a shoestring budget. Teams traveling internationally usually have simpler pits and often rely heavily on items purchased after arriving on location.

Pit Design Tips

Here are additional tips for designing a space.

• Use social media to hunt for items needed in a pit. Craigslist and local freecycling groups are great places to find things like trade show backdrops, display stands and special lighting. Try asking retiring teams for old pit supplies like backdrop stands or lighting fixtures.
• Do banners and photos need to be professionally printed? Try finding a local printer who is willing to sponsor the team with an in-kind donation.
• Canopy tents can be used effectively in a pit, but understand they block available light and you may need to supplement with string lights. Tents also tend to discourage visitors from coming into a space, which may be a positive or a negative depending on the goals.
• Usually teams are allowed to bring tables for their pit if more display or storage space is needed. Get creative and use a mix of table sizes to customize the space.
• Don’t forget to designate a space for storing whatever wagon or cart that is used to move the robot to the playing field.
• Teams will always need more electrical outlets than expected. Invest in a heavy duty extension cord and a power strip that has both standard and USB outlets.
• If traveling, keep in mind weight and dimension restrictions on airplanes and team buses. Travel light and try to use display items that can easily be packed in a suitcase and carried by team members. If other local teams are also attending, consider contacting them about renting a bus or trailer together.

Finding Inspiration

Want to do something creative or unique with a pit but don’t know where to start? Here are examples of where to find inspiration:

• Trade show booth suppliers
• Interior design shows on TV and on YouTube
• Remodeled reception areas and waiting rooms
• Department store displays and signage
• Online photos, videos and blogs from teams who have competed at the event

A pit creates the first impression of a team, make the most of it by thinking outside the box.