Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

I think the important question here is, when will the High Rollers break a wall clock this year?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raZdkGxq5Ig

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Catch points aren't going to change many matches by themselves. However, it actually saves you time in the long run. Tossing the ball over the truss will send it bouncing the rest of the way across the field for the next robot to chase down if you don't catch it. If you do catch it then you can go right ahead and spit it out for that final assist or shoot quickly if you're the last robot in the line.

I see catching as a way to make what is essentially a really, really good pickup that also scores you bonus points.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

I have the same thoughts. I don't think catches will be common, but if a pair of robots can successfully pull off a truss throw/catch move, it gets a +30 point bonus in a single move (truss points, catch points, and at least a 2 assist) and is very hard to defend against. If the ball is high in the air traveling between the two robots there is no chance to block the ball during travel, and if you can't knock either robot out of position during the throw there's no way to defend it.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Well time is an issue, but how much time is another thing. The rules don't really specify possession in time but rather control so theoretically, you could control the ball for lets say 2 seconds and you have the ball stopped and ready to assist given that you intake stops the ball quickly.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Reality check time. In another thread on defense it has been pointed out how easily a defensive bot can position adjacent to the low goal from either open side, and by placing a simple appendage into the low goal, they can prevent the ball from being scored there, from the front, the side, or the top openings.

Unless you can push them away from the low goal (not easy with them tucked in a corner) & score while holding them away, then you have only two options:

1) Win the race with them to the other low goal (assuming no other 2nd bot defender there already)
2) Score in the the high goal.

So, at least until there is rule clarification on whether this way of defending the low goal will be considered legal, it becomes a priority for every match alliance to have at least one member that is a fairly accurate high goal scorer.

-Dick Ledford

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

3) lob the ball into the top of the low goal, over the defending robot

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Unless that robot is sitting INSIDE the goal, as has been questioned in other threads.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Its only worth doing if you can go out and do it consistently.

This game is going to be all about execution in a match. Pretty much every team will design and build a robot that can pickup a ball and throw it into a goal. Things like catching the ball or throwing in the truss might not be carried throughout every robot but are easy to implement. The biggest game changer will be the teams who allow time for drive practice so they can go out and actually perform in a match.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Completely agree with this. I don't think design/manufacturing of robots this year is all too difficult as we've seen a game similar to this and there is no endgame. The skill of your drivers and the effectiveness of your strategies match to match will be the deciding factor of your success. Throwing will be a common trait among robots (IMO) and therefore your alliance should pick the best thrower to be the one scoring even if all of you can do it.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

What makes you think we haven't already, Jim? We almost did worse...launched ball so hard it knocked off control boards from shelf at driver station wall in our shop. Turns out the joysticks are pretty durable.;)

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Amen.

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Video or it didn't happen, Joe! you know the rules ;)

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

Beware the No Truss-Passing signs! :p

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

This is a assuming that you have a solid driving team that is prepared to control a ball of this size. Speaking from our teams decisions, our chassis is only 27in wide meaning there is only 1.5 inches of play on each side of the ball if it is centered. Just bumping the ball down the field could possible result in unreliability in terms of accuracy of your passing as well as another team can hit your ball out of your possession and push your bot around as much as they want. I would recommend a system that could keep control of the ball while you are moving

Re: Is throwing worth it ?
 

I think throwing is worth it because scoring in the low goal is relatively easy to do and defend and being able to shoot in the high goal will add diversity to your attack and make you harder to defend. Also, truss points are added to the score as soon as it is thrown (or caught) so if you are at the other end of the field at the end of a match than you could quickly score 10 and a possible 20 points and save the time of having to drive to the other end or pass it to other robots for them to score. I definitely think it is worth it to at least be able to throw.