Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

If you thought you had an outright chance to win the match by outscoring the other alliance, then I agree. If you did not think you had a chance to win by outscoring whether in agreement or not is another question in my mind.

Incentives should not lessen the game itself or change the strategies of the teams participating in my opinion - not matter what the level of sponsorship or involvement.

I think that the semi-finals of this regional are more realistic to what alliances should expect in elimination matches. Defense was actually played and resulted in missed shots and mishandled balls in the process.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

But if one alliance hadnt scored over 200 in any of their previous elimination matches, than it looks to me that money led that decision to forgo the defense.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

So this is a very interesting scenario. So what would stop me from making the same deal with an alliance regardless of a bet? Would you want some teams playing defense free matches in an attempt to rack up high Assist scores? Would that not create an unlevel playing field for some teams that did not know there opposing alliance as well as you?

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

The seniors decided themselves. Nobody told anybody to do anything. I also don't want make opinions for others but maybe they thought they had a better feeling about going for Steve Sanghi's offer. I can speak for us, we were happy to go either way. Each challenge seemed intriguing. If you had been there, you obviously would not have agreed and we would have taken you head on.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

No rule says you have to play defense. That is for teams to decide. So to answer your question, there is nothing to stop you. You are the one that has to live with whatever you do. I have faith in FIRST participants to do what is right.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

As the driver of Team 60 I knew from the first match that our (blue) alliance was out matched. Haha, they were definitely giving us a run for our money. So, my alliance and the red alliance came to an agreement to play the next match with low stress and possible high reward. That is why there is no defense in the last match. In doing so, that allowed me personally to enjoy the last match of the regional to the fullest. :P Its all about fun anyway.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

I am a senior and I was convinced to do it. I didn't do it for me. I did it for my friends on my team and helping them have fun next year. From my 4 years of being on Team 60, I learned that fundraising is a difficult task that needs hard work. If I could work with my alliance and the opponent to make money less of an issue, I will. By the second match of finals, for me, it wasn't about winning. It was about having fun and helping the teams.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

Other than the fact they won, do you think 2403 was having a blast during F1-2 in the fact they never moved and touched the ball for less than 15 seconds the whole match?

Saying they wouldnt have wanted to drive around and play defense and push people around rather than just sit there is ludicrous.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

Nicely said man!

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

True, It is a fun to play with defense. But, what I believe is that we were having fun because we didn't have the stress of dealing with the other alliance. I know personally that defense can be fun. At that point though, we were having fun without it. I know I was. Besides, The red alliance brought it up first. And that is the truth. So, I would assume, yes 2403 was having "a blast".

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

Plasma seemed pretty stoked on earning their 3rd regional win in their history.. They were picked for their great in bounding and invaluable passing skills and performed it every match with consistency. I'll let someone from plasma chime in if they want to though as I'm just speculating.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

Watch finals match 1, played with defense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNwCVSuy1vw

We were totally outgunned. Defense didn't do a dang thing for us.

Seriously...what did either side have to lose?

If you watch the quarterfinals, you'll see what alliances should expect in elimination matches.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8...uery=qf+4+2014

I learned from Fredi years ago about paradigm change....and I think I'm not the only one who respects his ideas about it.

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

Maybe 2403 will answer themselves. I can say that they contributed 10 points every cycle. The human player through the ball to 2403 and they popped the ball up and over to us and we then took it to the truss which we through over to the other human player and then they dumped it into 2486 which then made the goal. By the way they also did that all through the finals matches and just added defense when they could. But you can ask them....

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

Thanks Jim, that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me...I have a tears in my eyes......

Re: 301 points! and could have done more
 

This match showed the world of FIRST just how nice we Arizonans really are, our crazy politicians notwithstanding.

If you want controversy, try to find *any* fouls due to G40 in the Arizona regional.