Re: Statistics on missing practice matches?
 

No, Team 2013 missed all but our last practice matches at GTRE and placed 7 overall after qualifications. We also did the same last year. Just because a team does not make their practice matches does not mean they will not be competitive.

Re: Statistics on missing practice matches?
 

Rather then looking at missing practice matches, which end incredibly early on the first day (and are even worse in disctricts), what about looking at teams that haven't passed inspection by the end of the first day, or the start of matches? I think it's fairly rare for a powerhouse to not pass inspection Thursday, even if doing the rebuild the robot dance.

Re: Statistics on missing practice matches?
 

Many years ago I was fortunate to witness one of the great FRC teams in their pit on a Thursday. They were the last robot to be inspected (it was my first season as an LRI, so it was my job to pester them about that), and they did not make a single practice match.

They did, however, win that Regional. And the Regional Chairman's Award. And several other distinctions during the course of that season, including a very memorable final at IRI.

All of the which is to say, there are many factors to consider in making a pick list beyond how a team performs, or doesn't, in Thursday practice matches.*

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*One day soon, Thursdays at FRC Regionals will be only a memory.

Re: Statistics on missing practice matches?
 

Rather than looking at Winners (which due to picks can end up coming from #43 ranking), I recommend looking at ranking reflection vs. inspection. I think it would be incredibly rare for the #1 Alliance captain to miss matches due to not being inspected. I hate to say never, but I will say that I have never seen it.
#1 & #2 Alliance captains have a vast majority of regional and district wins, so I would say there is a decent correlation to getting through inspection and being #1 & #2.