General Info
General Info
The Plainwell Robotics Club invites your teams to participate in our 6th Annual VEX V5 High School Only Tournament Push Back.
The event will be held at the Plainwell High School, conveniently located 6 minutes from Exit 49B on US-131. Pit tables, seating, and electrical power will be provided for each team attending, along with plenty of spectator seating. Registered teams will receive menu details in December. Ample parking space is available adjacent to the school.
Only teams that are checked in on time will be allowed to compete. If you are running late, please contact Sarah Orr at (269) 548-5588 to make appropriate arrangements.
Registration Information
All participating teams must be registered with VEX Robotics and the Robot Events website and have an official team number before registering for this event. Tournament fees must be paid before teams will be allowed to compete. Registration and payments should be made through the Robot Events website at least one week prior to the event.
Engineering notebooks
Electronic Engineering Notebooks will be used at this event.
Lunch and Concessions
The Plainwell Boosters Club will be operating their concession stand throughout the day, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos and an array of snacks and drinks. Teams also are welcome to bring their own food.
Finals Matches
Number of elimination alliances (16-23 teams = 8 alliances in finals, 24-31 teams =12 alliances in finals)
Competition Preparation
All teams should come prepared for competition. Here are a few steps that every team should take to ensure that they are prepared.
Review all game information: Current Game Webpage
- Review the rules and run through the inspection checklist about a week before the competition so that there is ample time for adjustments. Robots must use VEX VRC parts. Please self inspect before arriving at the tournament.
- Check the official VEX forums for rule updates and changes.
- Carefully read all of the information contained in the tournament posting on events.vex.com
- Pack for the event the day before the day of departure. Here are a few items that you don't want to forget.
- Spare parts & tools
- Batteries and chargers
- Power strip and extension cord
- Laptop computer
- Programming cable
- Engineering notebook (required for judged awards)
- Banners and other decorations for your team pit table
- Giveaways if you have them
- Review the descriptions and criteria for the awards that are being given during the tournament.
- Prep for your interviews with the judges and read the Judge's Overview. Check the awards tab to see what awards will be given during the tournament.
- Remember that safety comes first. Please don't bring tools that pose a safety risk to your team, or others nearby, as teams are close to each other in the venue pit area. Also, remember no grinding or other actions that create sparks. Ask the Tournament Director for a safe location if grinding is needed.
- Ensure that you have the latest version of programming software and firmware for your VEX V5 Brain.
Consent Form
A completed form for all participants must be uploaded to events.vex.com prior to the tournament. Team leaders will need to check that all team members attending the event have completed the online consent form prior to the tournament. Online Consent Form.
We're looking forward to seeing your teams in Plainwell.
- Venue
- Plainwell High School
- Address
- 684 Starr Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080, United States
- Dates
- January 10, 2027
- Grade Level
- High School
- Skills Challenge
- Yes
- Judging Format
- All In-Person Judging
Registration & Logistics
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control
- Smart Field Control
- Capacity
- 36
- Spots Open
- 35
- Event Region
- Michigan
- Max Registrations per Org
- 8
- Standard Registration Opens
- 14-Sep-2026 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 6-Jan-2027 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 3-Jan-2026 21:00 EST
- Price
- $105.00
Agenda
8:00 AM
Doors Open; Check-in; Robot Inspections Begin
8:30 AM
Skills Field Opens
9:00 AM
Inspections Conclude
9:00 AM
Driver's Meeting; Opening Ceremonies
9:30 AM - 11:30 PM
Qualifying Rounds; Technical Judging Begin
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Qualifying Rounds; Technical Judging Continue
2:00 PM
Skills Field Closes; Technical Judging Concludes
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Alliance Selection
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Elimination Rounds
3:15 PM
Awards Ceremony
[The Agenda is subject to change]
Stream
https://www.youtube.com/@plainwellroboticsclub7983
Webcast We will Live Stream the event to the Plainwell Robotics Club's YouTube Channel. Google: YouTube Plainwell Robotics Club; or, use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXp3wudlZcI .
Travel Info
Date: 10-Jan-2027 Plainwell High School 684 Starr Road Plainwell, Michigan 49080 United States Travel Info The competition will be hosted in the gymnasium at Plainwell High School, which is located at 684 Starr Road in Plainwell, MI, about 6 minutes (2.3 miles) from Exit 49 on highway US-131. Ample parking is available on the west and southwest side of the school. The entrance to the event is also on the west side of the school.
Judging Format
Judging Format Teams will be judged via in-person interviews during the event. Two weeks prior to the date of the event, teams should ensure they have entered a valid URL on their events.vex.com account page which connects to a read-only version of their Electronic Engineering Notebook.
Volunteer
Volunteer We always appreciate volunteers. In fact, we know we will need experienced judges and field officials. Please contact Sarah Orr at cheerofficial85@gmail.com if you're interested in helping us.
Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy In case of bad weather conditions or possible cancellations, please visit this page on events.vex.com , where we will post updates about the event status as needed.