FRC Q & A Answer ... Interesting

[Paul Copioli]

One of my questions regarding scoring has been answered by FIRST. Here is the link: FIRST Q & A (http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=182)

Basically, they are treating scoring like a combination of basketball and hockey.

The corner goals will be treated like hockey goals. The second the buzzer sounds, any ball not in the goal will not count.

The center goal will be treated like basketball. If the ball has left the robot before the buzzer and is scored in the center goal, then it will count.

I found it very interesting.

-Paul

[Stu Bloom]

I suspect that has more to do with the automated scoring system than any "strategic" decision. The scoring of balls in the corner goals is done as they break the plane (actually about 8-10 inches inside the goal) while scoring in the center high goal is not done until the balls roll into the exit tube.

Although the center goal scoring does remain active for an additional five seconds after the buzzer to allow balls in the goal to clear - I guess they could do the same thing with the corners ...

[Lil' Lavery]

Aww, no last second hail marys from the human players :(

[Ianworld]

no, but last second hail marys from the robots... ;)

I guess this makes sense, although I always like the scoring to be when everything settles. Watching robots coast across the field in 2002 to score was awesome, if not scary. I remember a robot that had its pneumatics on single solenoids so that they would automatically default to pulling their robot to hang on the bar in 2004. Both required some serious skill to use but were extremely effective due to their last second nature. That being said, a robot that can somehow dump 10 balls through a side goal after the buzzer isn't so reasonable so I don't think this will have as major an impact as those two examples.