FIRST FLL #76265 LEGO LEGENDS

HOW TO BUILD CHAMPION CHECKLISTS

The Trainer's Guide to Communicating & Navigating Under Pressure! • BIOGLOW 2026

🧠 Why Do Pokémon Champions & Astronauts Use Checklists?

In the 2.5-minute robot match, your heart races at 150 BPM and arena music is loud. When adrenaline rushes, short-term memory fades. Trying to remember 6 program numbers, pin alignments, and motor directions from memory leads to silly mistakes. A checklist takes the memory weight out of your head so you and your partner can talk clearly and navigate calmly!

⚡ 1. Power & Program

Pikachu Check

Ensure the SPIKE Hub is powered on and the screen displays the exact mission program number or graphic icon.

Checklist Item: [ ] SPIKE Hub: Program #2 (Whale Icon)
Callout: "Program 2 selected!" → "Echo: Program 2 confirmed!"

🔧 2. Hardware & Tug Test

Machamp Check

Identify the specific attachment, check color-coded pins, and perform a 1-second physical tug test to confirm it's locked.

Checklist Item: [ ] Dual-Lift Fork locked + 2-finger tug test
Callout: "Dual Fork mounted, tugged and rigid!"

🧭 3. Launch Alignment & Path

Lucario Navigation

State which mechanical wall jig to place against the border, and visually verify the drive wheels are straight inside Home.

Checklist Item: [ ] Jig B flush East Wall, wheels straight, path clear
Callout: "Jig B flush, robot 100% inside Home base!"

🚨 4. Contingency (Plan B)

Tactical Metagross

Decide in advance what to do if the robot misses or models jam. Never invent solutions while the clock is ticking down!

Checklist Item: ⚠️ If arm jams > 10s: Abort & Retrieve to Home!
Action: Skip to Run 3. Clock is more valuable than 1 penalty!

👉 The Superpower Technique: "Point & Call" (Shisa Kanko)

Closed-Loop Navigation

Japanese bullet train conductors and cockpit crews use Pointing and Calling to cut human errors by 85%! Don't read checklists silently with your eyes. Use your finger and your voice:

Step 1: Point

👉 Co-Pilot Points

Co-pilot touches item on card with finger: "Program 2?"

Step 2: Touch & Echo

🤖 Pilot Verifies

Pilot checks Hub screen and speaks out loud: "Program 2 confirmed!"

Step 3: Check & Go

✅ Check & Clear

Co-pilot marks check: "Check! Clear to launch in 3, 2, 1!"

📝 Hands-On Workshop: Draft Your Team's Run Card!

Design Your Own Checklist

Work in pairs! Pick one mission your team is building this week and design its custom Run Card below. Mentors guide, but you decide what goes on the card!

🎯 Mission Run Name & Number

Run #____ : _________________________________________

⏱️ Target Run Time

____ Seconds (Clock Target)

⚡ 1. HUB CODE:

Program # ______ (Display Icon: _____________________)

🔧 2. ATTACHMENT:

Tool: ___________________ (Tug test verified? [ ])

🧭 3. JIG & ALIGN:

Jig: _______ flush against [North / South / East] border

📦 4. CARGO LOAD:

Loaded element: _________________ seated in tray

🚨 PLAN B (NAVIGATION RETRIEVE):

If mission misses or jams > 8s: Call "Abort to Home" and pivot to Run #____!

📈 How to "Plus" & Evolve Your Checklist After Every Run

🌟 Level 1: Rookie Card

Only has program number and mission name. Good for slow practice, but leaves pins and jigs to guesswork.

🚀 Level 2: Pro Card

Adds attachment name, color-coded pin slots, and the 2-finger tug test so arms never drop off mid-table.

🏆 Level 3: Champion Arm-Band

Laminated card taped to your arm or worn on a lanyard. Includes emergency abort triggers and match countdown marks!