Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

I understand how it may have looked like that, but this is not what happened.* The volunteer was working to unclog it, but it became obvious that the issue was directly affecting the outcome of the match. Not only would the score need to be corrected for Hybrid, but the field ball count was noticeably low, the jam couldn't clear without dumping some balls back on the field, and the alliance was delaying scoring because the net was still jammed well into teleop. On-field consensus with head ref approval led to restarting the match for an arena fault.
Especially considering it was finals, we're very glad both alliances got a fair shake and a clean match.

*I was coaching the Red Alliance at station 2, and thus standing next to them.

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

Normally I'd harrass you about your grammar, but somehow this has a nice ring to it.

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

Clearing the balls from the top net is incredibly difficult. I was watching the volunteer trying to clear them, and it looked like the angle he needed to poke at was too extreme to be able to get to the jam through the hole provided without also sending anything out over the top.

TL;DR, using the sticks is easier said than done.

Has anyone actually had to use them, and have the attempts been successful?

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

I had to use the stick that I had twice, but I never had a jam that involved more than two balls. Both times were during hybrid period, and I was able to un-jam the net with relative ease. It probably took me at most a couple of seconds to poke the balls free.

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

I believe a better caption would be:
FIRST world problems

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

so painfully true

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

All I can say is brilliant. *slow clap*

Re: pic: LIFE SUCKS
 

Our team did this (I don't remember who it was with) at either the Utah or the Arizona regional.