What Is Scouting in FTC?
Scouting is one of the biggest competitive advantages in FIRST Tech Challenge. It's the process of watching matches, recording what each robot does, and using that information to make smart decisions about alliance partners and strategy.
This guide will help your team build a consistent, effective scouting system.
What Data Should You Collect?
Keep scouting simple and consistent. The best forms track:
Basic Info
- Team number
- Match number
Autonomous
- Did they score? Where?
- Consistency (never / sometimes / always)
TeleOp
- Approximate scoring rate (low / medium / high)
- Key focus areas (low goal, high goal, center stage elements)
- Driver smoothness
Endgame
- What task they attempt
- How consistent it is
- Failures to watch for
Notes
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Disconnects, penalties, or mechanical issues
Scouting isn't about perfection. It's about identifying patterns.
Organizing Your Scouting Team
Assign clear roles before your event:
- Scouting Lead — trains scouts, manages tools and data
- Match Scouts — watch matches and record observations
- Strategy Lead — uses scouting data to build match plans and pick lists
If possible, practice by watching YouTube matches and filling out forms before your first event.
Paper vs Digital Scouting
Paper
- Simple, cheap, reliable
- Requires manual data entry later
Digital
- Faster to search and filter
- Syncs across devices
- Easier to share with teammates
FTC Tracker supports notes, team search, live event data, and strategy prep — all in one place.
Using Scouting for Strategy
Before every match, meet briefly with your drive team:
- What is our partner good at?
- What are our opponents good at?
- What auto routes should we avoid?
- Who covers which scoring area?
This turns raw observations into actual competitive advantage.
Final Thoughts
Scouting may seem like a small detail, but it often decides:
- Alliance selections
- Playoff outcomes
- Match consistency
Start simple, stay organized, and build a system your whole team trusts.