Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

I know I already posted this thread on the Rules/Strategy forum for teams to download the strategy mats I made for the 2014 season. I'm posting this here because there may have been some teams that can really use this, who may have members who visit the General Forum more often than Rules/Strategy.

I understand that this may be breaking CD rules, (changed the title and content so technically not the same exact thread) but I'll risk it since I highly encourage, and would love it if all teams in FIRST used strategy mats for matches, whether it's this one, someone else's, or their own. This is why I'm re-posting this in this forum; so it gets more views. I do not see enough of these at competitions, and I want to make this practice more popular. It just makes planning so much easier, clearer, and more productive. Communication is key to working well in an alliance.

Attached is a printer friendly .pdf of what team 701 The RoboVikes will be using for discussing and planning strategies when meeting with alliance members during competition.

You can laminate or slip the sheets into sheet protectors so they may be used with dry erase markers. The RoboVikes have a binder for our drive team coach, and we keep the mats in sleeve protectors, and also have game rules and event maps or information included as well in the binder. Laminating and attaching to a clipboard is another option, but we recommend that teams who wish to use these mats use sleeve protectors inserted in a binder, so strategies don't get wiped off unintentionally. An extra option is blowing this mat up to a large size like ANSI D, printing it on a plotter, laminating, and then attaching to a white board for pre-competition strategy meetings in which the whole team participates.

If there are major errors or problems with the accuracy of the mat diagrams in relation to the actual field construction, please let me know. The diagram is not fully to scale, but just for reference while planning. A problem would be something that would hinder the planning process, like an incorrectly colored alliance station, or a number in the wrong place.

Instructions:

These instructions are to provide a clear understanding of the methods used by the RoboVikes with these mats. These instructions are how we do it, but how you use these mats is completely up to you.

---At the bottom of each full sized strategy mat, you will see sections labeled "Blue Alliance, "Red Alliance," and "Match." Under either color of the alliance sections, there are the numbers 1, 2, and 3. These correspond to a team's assigned operator station.

---To the right of the number, write, in dry erase marker, the appropriate team number that is assigned this station. This will help prevent confusion in station assignments and drive team location with respect to the field and robots, so it is easier to plan starting positions and strategies. Location can change a team's viewing angle of a robot, and teams should be able to anticipate variations in visual difficulty depending on their perspective of the field. Thinking about this is quite important for planning.

---On the line of the section that says "Match" write down the number of the match that will be for that particular strategy.

---There are two full sized strategy mats. One says "Autonomous" at the top and the other says "Teleoperated." These mats are intended to be used for each designated part of the match.

---On the "Autonomous" mat, teams draw with dry erase markers where their robots will start, and what they will do during autonomous, so there is no confusion as to which robot is placed where, and what they are doing to gain points during this part of the match. Generally, directions and movement are indicated by leaders/arrows/vectors. We usually represent shooting a scoring object with a dotted line connected from the target goal to the indicated robot position for scoring.

---On the "Teleoperated" mat, teams draw with dry erase markers the main motions and path that their robot will take in order to gain points. Sometimes it may be necessary to print a second "Teleoperated" mat in order to accommodate more complicated strategies to avoid too much clutter on one mat.

---The mats that have four smaller field diagrams are used for pre-planned plays and strategies. You probably want to print multiple copies of these and have ones designated for offensive and defensive strategies. In our coach binder, we have two dividers for these sections. These are used to draw generic or common strategies so that the coach can use these generic strategies to help aid in ideas for how to plan a particular match. Sometimes these smaller diagrams can also be used for special strategies that can be used in a match where it may be necessary. Pre-planned plays and strategies are useful so the coach does not have to keep wasting time re-drawing common strategies. Red and Blue pens or colored pencils are used to draw on these smaller field diagrams, and are permanent and already drawn before a competition.

---To the right of the "Play/Strategy" label, write a creative or helpful name for the strategy or play for easy identification and quick communication. To the right of the "Description" label, write the basic movements and what is accomplished, and why this strategy or play is used, so the coach can easily explain it to alliance members that are not familiar with the strategy or play.

I hope these strategy mats will be useful for you during your competitions this season! Keep the communication clear between all your alliance members, especially the coaches. All strategies should be collaborated efforts between alliance members, and make sure every single person on the field knows what the heck is going on! I cannot stress enough how clear communication is a vital element to succeeding as an alliance! Lack of communication can rob a team of a win, and is no excuse for a loss.

If you have any questions, feel free to reply or PM me.

Good Luck!

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

This is a great Idea we might have to borrow this idea.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

I remember using this with you guys and winning the match! It is very effective and better than just talking about what you will do. Great visual representation!

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Awesome. I will see if I can get my team to use this. A next step would be to make 8 little magnets representing balls and robots, and then have this mat on a magnetic clip board.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Great! Borrow to your heart's content! That's the whole point of this thread. :D

I say it isn't a matter of "might" borrow, but "will" borrow. In my opinion, strategy mats are an essential, and I will never let my alliance go into a match without drawing the idea first.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

My team usually just draws rectangles for robots, but if you think that will work for your team, then have at it.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Glad to know someone who used mats with me understands their effectiveness. Sometimes miming the moves you'll do and trying to make an imaginary diagram of the strategy in mid air with your hands can sometimes be confusing, and looks silly :)

I'm sure you can vouch for this idea by saying that it was much easier to understand what was gonna happen on the field, yes?

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Yes. It will be even more important this year. If you get 3 high powered offensive bots on a team, let alone 2, you are going to need some plan and it will be easier to see this year's game visually rather than talking about it. It will be nice to have set plays to run as opposed to having teams in a general area. This will allow for a more fluid match.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

To build on this, start dreaming up plays and write them down, practice the different parts it will get your driver/operator comfortable with the game specific "plays."

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

This is the only thing we didn't do last season, which was physically practicing plays before competition. I made our mats last year only before our third regional, and worked the whole night by myself coming up with plays the night before we flew out for the Colorado Regional, so we never got to actually practice plays, even though we had a good idea on how to do them from just simply showing my drivers.

I'll be glad to make and post my team's strategy mats for the next coming seasons when I can, by the way, so teams don't have to hassle with making their own.

Plus, if anyone ever tells you that FIRST is not a sport, then show them these mats, and ask them how it isn't. It may not be an athletic sport, but it's played just like one, and the athletes are the robots, since they're the ones on the field and really playing the game. The drive team is just there to be the brains.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

We have traditionally used a whiteboard and markers to do this but this year going the playbook route as getting robots in the right position to minimize cycle time is key.

As someone reading Chief Delphi think of how helpful it would be to hand a rookie or inexperienced team that isn't reading this forum a diagram of the field and be like I could really use your robot "here" and to do "this" so that we have the best shot of winning this match.

It might even save some heated moments in coaching.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

To take this a step further, for the last couple of years our team has built reduced scale mock fields out of foam board. They are usually three feet long or so and we use hot wheels as robots. It really helps us strategize.

We use strategy sheets at competitions too, thanks for posting these. Nice job!

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Funny enough, I've been working on something quite similar, but with 3D printed 1:10 scale models. It does end up being significantly larger though. Regardless of whether we print the full field, it's nice CAD practice.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

YES!

I would most highly agree, using these (or similar mats) nearly goes hand-in-hand with understanding and subsequently winning matches.

I seen another team use one my first year as driver and thought it was a wonderful utensil for strategy.

The following year I made my own and used it at competition, and we only lost one match during the qualifications (major credit to all of our alliance partners too).

This is a step up from my version, and I think I'll be sure to borrow some of your ideas.

Thanks a lot for that :)

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Very nice; clean design. I made my own last year but I will use these this year. Thanks much and I for one forgive your double post.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

It wasn't a matter of users having problems with me double posting, but the admin and moderators shutting down my profile for violating CD rules. I'm sure they're not that strict if my intentions are reasonable.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

I love this idea. I recently built myself a heavy-duty version of this out of some 80/20 and some whiteboard material. (It's to scale! :p)
Having been designing and building robots for a little while now, I thought it would be pretty simple to construct a box on the back to store markers/erasers, but it actually took a minute to think about.

Anyway, this is really going to be critical this year. Until now, this level of cooperation never existed. By making clear exactly what it is that you'd like to accomplish with a match strategy, both tacticians and drivers are more likely to not only be on the same page, but to agree. Don't forget about statistical scouting as well, though. Less cooperative teams are much more likely to listen to you if you have data on your side. That, and you know, it'll help make sure you're right in the first place.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Just printed 20 copies of this for my team to use starting tomorrow.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Was about to make one of these, thanks for saving me the effort. I like the mini-maps on the reverse side as well.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

We made some mini-maps and squished them between two pieces of Lexan.
We call it the strategy whiteboard. It's just about the most useful thing ever for planning out strategies. And when it's not being used for strategy, and it's in the build space it becomes a portable whiteboard for making lists and stuff.
Super-useful.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Use them well. I hope they're super helpful!

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Here's what we're using to plan plays. It's a blown up version of the diagram I provided, and it's laminated. We're using paper pieces to easily represent the robots and the balls. We can also use markers on it. It's big enough to facilitate class discussions in strategy as well since we can post it up on our classroom or pit board.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Could I possibly get a PDF of just the field graphic? I want to customize my particular laminated piece of card stock and I don't wanna redo work that's already done.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Wheat thins for robot markers - eat up the opposition....... :D

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Sure! Ill PM you later when I have that.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Here's a .pdf of only the field diagram

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

Thanks for the mats you posted.

Here's Sarah, our 2014 Dean's List Finalist field coach, working out match strategy using one of them.

Re: Wanna Win More Matches? Try Using Strategy Mats!
 

I don't have a sweet picture like 2363, but I did love those strategy mats at Virginia as well. Thanks for the awesome graphic.

The thing inspired me to make a whole binder we dubbed the "Strategy Binder" with the mat customized, laminated, and clipped into. It hung on velcro from our cart with an expo marker and eraser.