Coaches’ Kickoff Conference 2025

All adult coaches, parents, and mentors are welcome to attend. There is no charge and plenty of free parking. Main presentations will be recorded and shared after the conference.

Check back soon for the 2025 Agenda

2024 Coaches’ Conference Recordings & FAQs:

General Information:

FLL Qualifier Event FAQ from questions asked at the end of the session:

1. How do I sign up as a volunteer?
Answer: Volunteers are essential to the success of FLL qualifiers. You can sign up by following the volunteer notices in the newsletter or by visiting the marylandfll.org website. There will also be specific calls for volunteers for the state championship, where over 250 volunteers are needed for various roles like judges, referees, and scorekeepers.

2. Can students volunteer at the qualifiers?
Answer: Yes, students can volunteer, but their roles are limited. They cannot serve as referees or judges. However, they can assist with tasks such as setting up and helping out at the event, depending on the venue’s needs.

3. Can teams from the same school or organization be placed in the same qualifier?
Answer: Teams from the same school or organization can request to attend the same qualifier, but placement depends on availability. You are encouraged to select multiple qualifiers as backup options. There is no guarantee that all teams will be placed in the same event, but requests are considered.

4. How many students can be on a team?
Answer: The maximum team size for an FLL Challenge team is 10 students. Having more than 10 members is not allowed. Each team member registered on the official team roster will receive a medal during the event.

5. What is the registration process for qualifiers?
Answer: To register for a qualifier, teams must have already completed their initial registration and paid the associated fees. Qualifier registration opens on October 7th, and teams must pay an additional $100 fee to secure their spot. Teams will be assigned to qualifiers based on their preferences and availability.

6. Can a team participate in more than one qualifier?
Answer: No, each team can only participate in one qualifier. If a team is unable to attend the assigned event due to scheduling conflicts, they must notify the event organizers to see if any accommodations can be made.

7. How does judging work at the qualifiers?
Answer: Judging is conducted through a consolidated session where teams spend 30 minutes with a panel of judges. The session covers core values, robot design, and the project presentation. Coaches are asked to observe without participating. Judges assess teams on a rubric, which now incorporates core values into all categories instead of as a separate element.

8. Will we receive feedback after the qualifier?
Answer: Yes, after the qualifier, teams will receive a scoresheet for the robot performance. Teams will not, however, receive the detailed rankings of other teams in non-robot categories, though they will get feedback on their own performance.

9. What percentage of teams advance to the state tournament?
Answer: Typically, around 20% of teams advance from qualifiers to the state tournament. The exact percentage may vary slightly based on the number of teams participating in each qualifier.

10. Can I request specific dates for our qualifier?
Answer: Yes, when registering for qualifiers, teams can list preferred dates and locations. However, teams should be prepared to accept any of the events listed as their choices. There is a comment section on the registration form to explain any scheduling conflicts.

11. What should I do if I have issues with the registration or team consent forms?
Answer: If you have a question about FIRST registration, you may need to contact FIRST but your Program Delivery Partner can direct you (ryoung@firstpartners.org).  Questions about Maryland Qualifier registration should be sent to fll@umbc.edu, once the registration opens.  If you’re experiencing issues with consent forms, particularly if parents are having trouble signing their child’s consent form, you should contact fllteams@firstinspires.org. Consent forms must be completed for all team members and coaches before checking in for your event, and it is preferable to do so on the website.