Re: Robotics becomes official sport in Arizona!
 

In Georgia, i don't think its an official sport, but it might be close to one, because my friend said that our team has varsity and letters and other stuff associated to sports and other activities. But I doubt it's considered a sport. It's like the state of quiz bowl. Texas considers it a sport (they're the best at it), but in other states its just a game or activity (I think it's a mental sport).

Re: Robotics becomes official sport in Arizona!
 

MN State Championship is indeed a bag and tag event, and I would hazard to guess it will remain so regardless of being after the FRC season or during it (as a District Championship).

Re: Robotics becomes official sport in Arizona!
 

I agree. Personally though, I would love an unbagging period for Arizona teams that are not going to championship to work on their robot.

Re: Robotics becomes official sport in Arizona!
 

I haven't read your rules, but MN does an 8-hour unbag period between a team's last official competition and the State Championship. If you guys don't have it in your rules it's definitely a good thing and I'd recommend it going forward.

Re: Robotics becomes official sport in Arizona!
 

There is a robot access period. But, under the current wording, it applies to all teams, including world championship teams.

I suppose the date of the State Championship (May 23) is close enough to the World Championship that teams who advance to world have a disadvantage over teams who didn't advance. As they would lose 2-3 weeks of time because their robot is sitting in a crate (plus some other variances that could add more time to the 2-3 weeks). But, that world team also has 4(ish) days of access to their robot at Championship, along with competition drive time, which in invaluable.

2-3 extra build weeks or 4(ish) days of world championship time. which is more valuable? I imagine a large majority would choose the first option.

So, with the date of State too close to World, It does make sense to bag and tag if you want to "level" the playing field. But, what if State was pushed forward one month to June 23, would it still be worth having everyone bag? What difference of time between World and State is considered enough time to not bag the robot? (I'm by no means suggesting the date should be moved, I like where it is now, it's just a thought).

I guess the reason I found it odd initially was this State Championship is still technically an off-season event, with no actual season advantage to winning, it doesn't qualify your team for anything, you just win bragging rights (and maybe a blue banner?).

It all comes down to the question of how seriously you want to take the event. And with the title "Arizona State Championship" It's obviously implied that it is to be a serious event.

Re: Robotics becomes official sport in Arizona!
 

Hey folks,

I find myself more confused, the more I read this thread.

Are various states simply recognizing that the FRC program is going to declare some teams FRC state champions (in this case FRC rules, such as FRC's bag-and-tag restrictions, are important);
... Or
Are states creating a competition system for students who design/build/integrate/test robots (in this case the FRC rules about bagging, practicing with, reprogramming, etc. robots are irrelevant (because the states will have rules for their non-FRC, state, robotics competitions)).

Are these State Championships run/governed by the states; or are they FRC Championships run/governed by FIRST, and simply acknowledged by the states?

I'm certain many people consider my posts in this thread less than helpful due to my desire for clarity before enthusiasm, but ... Questions like this should be easy to answer, and should have been answered in the initial descriptions of what is occurring. Gracious professionals *do not* gloss over these topics.

Blake