Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

I wanted to send out a note to all the rookie teams who are asking themselves today...... what just happened?

If you packed and shipped a fully functional robot that does everything you originally planned for it to do - you did better than 99.9% of all the teams in this competition.

For the rest of you.......

We are very proud of you. Your robot may not be able to move, or maybe that's about all it does, but you followed the rules, you gave it your best, you learned alot of stuff along the way. Some of you had no engineering mentors, some had no machine shop support, some had little or no financial support, some had to fight school board policy to compete, some of you had no-one with software experience. Alot of things went wrong in the past 6 weeks, but you are about to find out (if you haven't already) how cool it is to be part of the FIRST family.

This year is a 3 on 3 competition; as in the past we will be paired with some great teams, some average teams and some BLT's (brave little toasters as we call them) through qualifying. We will carry some teams; some teams will carry us. We will try our hardest to win every match, and we have a strategy for every type of robot. If your robot won't move, your job is to not move. If our robot stops moving, your job may be to push us back. There's alot of luck involved. Sometimes you'll do more than asked, sometimes less. All I can say is, we want you on the field with us. We want to see the excitement in your eyes when your plywood shoebox keeps the other alliance's powdercoat painted, precision machined, fully automatic mega-arm from scoring a tetra.

Please don't act embarrassed if your designs didn't work out; join the club. You are learning and will get better every year. When you get to the competition we will have a small lathe and mill in our pit if you need a part made; we have software guys just itching to help you debug your code; we've got extra bolts and nuts and whatevers for you to use; and we'll probably have to stand in line behind all the other veteran teams who are already helping you.

We are not better than you; we may have more resources than you, or more experience than you, but we expect to learn something from you and we hope you will learn something from us. We plan to have a blast at the competition, and we might even win it with you while we're at it.

We want you here, and we want you back. Welcome.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

We want you here, and we want you back. Welcome.[/quote]

Great Post.

I would add, "Do not be afraid to ASK!"

At a competition:
If you see something you don't understand, ASK! If you want or need help, ASK! If you want to know how some team did the impossible, ASK!

You are about to enter the Friendly Zone. Enjoy it!

Ken

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

A quote from the Southern California Regional Visitors guide:

"If you are having problems the FIRST thing to do is ask your neighbor for help"

yes the pun was intended.

Here in the West we tend to put rookies next to experienced teams in the Pits. So if it is your first year, you will be right next to one of the oldest and most experienced teams around. Make use of them, they will be happy to help. After all, if their robot is running well, and it usually is, their Pit crew will need something to do besides take in the admiring stares of people looking at their robot and wait for the judges to come around. :D

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

However, here's a little something for some of you who don't know how your robot works or what pneumatics even is (I didn't know til this year)...

Teams want your spirit. It doesn't take experience, resources, or engineering skills to be loud, proud and support your team and alliance, or somebody you don't even know who needs a hand. This applies to everyone who can help. :)

<forumplug> Oh, and attend the Chief Delphi WebHug at Nationals...</forumplug>

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

This is the most inspiring Chief Delphi message I have ever read.
If there is a place on the website for "the best message of the day"
this one would get my vote!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Yes, I agree. This is an outstanding post. I think I will try to make it into a poster for our robotics lab. It certainly makes me feel good to read it. I am anxious to share it with others. :D

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

ya its crazy its weird
considering the shipping guy came at the begining of the window

but all is up and running (10 pounds drilled out)
just autonomous needs alittle work but thats what day 1 at competition is for

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

That is just amazing, To all the rookies attending the Pittsburgh, Philly and Nat's if you need anything look for the guys/gals in bright green.
This is going to be such a great experience to all the rookies and even still the vets, you will meet people from all over the world and from every walk of life you can imagine. Ideas are shared and friendships are made, this is going to be a great season, enjoy it.

Good luck to everyone this year!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Ditto from the guys in Purple Hawaiian- we'll be available at NJ and SC as well as Nats..

WC :cool:

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

As a member of a rookie team, I thank you all. This has been an incredible year so far for me. I fully expect that even though my team shipped a not-so-complete robot, we will have a great time. We plan to complete some of our functions at the tournement. I now know that we are not lone!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

If any rookies need a robot built or finished, talk to the nearest veteran team. I know of three teams that have shown up without a robot for some reason and had a running robot by the end of practice matches. The record time is around 6 hours for a complete build. If you just need to finish building, chances are, just ask, and you will have many offers of help within minutes.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

I'm willing to offer software help, stop by the 237 pits and ask for Mike. We'll be at the finger lakes regional, trenton, and nats :)

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Thanks for that, I'm still not sure what to expect at the competition, was a very nervous final two days, finding out we were 10 pounds overweight, drilling holes, spent 2 days learning 3ds max for the animation, with only one animator (myself), and then having the fed ex guy show up a whole hour before the 3 hour window, thank god he was nice and came back later. But thanks again, and I look forward to seeing experienced teams at the competition and learning from them. Hopefully next year my team wont have to build a robot in a shower room =x Good luck to all teams.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

I must say that as a rookie team, we've learned a great deal this year about robotics, I actually wouldn't have even known about it had my friend not suggested I join with him. It's been a great time building and luckily, our robot works just how we wanted it to, just not near the same way. I hope other teams have as good of an experience like this :D

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

that part sounds like your talking about my teams robot.lol but i do understand what you are saying when you say it. it was just funny as some of my team was reading the post we were like he is talking about are little baby. but it is always a joy to see the rookie teams grow and what becomes of there team. F.I.R.S.T.

if any rookie teams need anything at UCF or coloroda and nats just look for the Pink team and we will do our best to help you out.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

oh and this was a really good post.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Really inspirational post. I applaud you.
At New York City, the 759'ers will be around, and willing to help if we can, it looks like we have quite a few rookies there. Remember, as i said before, 99.9999% of FIRSTers are really nice.
btw whats the lowest rookie team number?

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

This really IS a great post!! Hats off to the one that started it!

I was thinking. Every competition I've been to seems to organize the pits numerically. That means all the rookie teams are grouped together at one end. WHAT IF!!! The pit assignments were folded so that the most experienced team was right next to the newest rookie and so on. Now that would be great. It would put the rookies in direct contact with teams that can help. It would also mean that the experienced teams would be close to their resources when the help is needed. This might be the time to contact the event coordinators and see if this can be arranged!

Our team is more than willing to help any team in need(you don't have to be a rookie). Look for us under the big white balloon (Provided the venues allow it ) If not look for team 343 - Metal in Motion. We'll be at Florida, Palmetto and the Championship.

Good luck everyone, lets have a great season!!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

This has been Standard Operating Procedure in the West for at least the past three years. It eliminates the "rookie gheto" quite effectively. Though I did like what they did in Atlanta last year. All of the rookies in all divisions were on the main aisles. So while they were all grouped together, they were in a prominent place and you were practically forced to walk past them. Either way helps get them the attention they need.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Hats off to all teams veterans and rookies!!
One thing that is sooo great about FIRST is just everyone coming together. We all help each other even though we play against each other. And I think all the rookie teams are going see the interaction which is great.

Even teams that have been around remember we are always there for each other. Just ask and someone will find someone to help you. The rookies on veteran teams have to learn that too I feel. I know it's kinda weird to walk up to a strange person and just ask for all the scouting info but hey everyone does it and it's okay.

Build season its over but at the games you learn so much and make always a new friend. So what the bot is not done. Remember FIRST is not just about building a robot, it truely is something greater. Every team has something to offer to the competition. So no matter what went wrong during the 6 weeks or what goes wrong. I'm sure everyone will walk away winning something. Yes, as they all say we all are winners. :D

There are tons of crazy S.P.A.M. people around at UCF, Palmetto and the Championship all willing to help of course. We generally have the mini-lathe and mini-bridgeport so yeah if you need a part made stop by with drawings and stock and we'll be surely glad to help if we can.

Good Luck to All!! It's been a great build season. All teams are the same with the ups and downs so nobody is alone in FIRST ever. Some had the same problem somewhere...

Happy Trails!!! :)

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Alright, I'm not usually a fan of bump posts...and to be honest, it's taking every bit of ENGL 101 in me to keep from just posting "bump."

We all want to help you get to be the best team possible. All you've gotta do is ask, and I'll bet my dollars to your donuts that you'll have enough help to get back on your wheels/feet/treads.

That said, even if you read the post last season, go back and re-read Gary's post. Then convince him to come to Palmetto for once. ;)

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Awesome post! Thank you Billfred for bumping this thread or I would have missed it! <3

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

i couldnt have said it before. I was the only veteran on my rookie team and you really see the downfall of lack of experience the second time ur on a rookie team. competition is gonna be fun tho

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Thanks for the 'bump' as well. As a rookie team it is encouraging to know that we will not be alone in the big world of FIRST robotics. :)

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

If I can schedule a business trip with a connection through Charlotte that Wednesday evening, can you pick me up at the airport?

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

I just wanted to say thanks for a great thread.

We're a rookie team, and though our kids have won some prizes in years past, they've never tackled anything on the scale of FIRST.

I agree with a lot of what y'all have said, and I want to add my own personal thoughts on what we've all accomplished.

Our team shipped a completely functional bot, and we've also submitted entries to the AVA and website awards cats. We'll see what happens at our regionals -- in Tel Aviv-- next month.

I mentored our web and animation crews, and since this is my first time mentoring, I just wanted to say how mind-blowing it has been to see kids and their ideas EMPOWERED.

They really had to leave the "I" at the door, and learn to talk team. To start out with one kid's sketch--like we did--and have that sketch evolve into a full-fledged mascot/mission/movie took time and teamwork--and vision. I am so proud that each kid in my two crews got behind an idea--even if it wasn't his own--and helped to make it a group success.

I can see how proud THEY are too--and I feel truly blessed and energized by this whole process.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Thank you for the Inspiring post. It means a lot when you are a rookie team and very nervous. Our team is quite lucky this year we have a regional meeting a state away we will be able to attend as spectators so we can see what it is like but for many teams this is a first run and so we are soo nervous. Thank you for the encouragement.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

this is a very inspiring post. after all of the problems that we have had over this rookie year it is good to know that all is not over and not to give up hope

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

If you're robot decides to break in a match don't discouraged because it broke, be excited! It's a great way to make friends!

In Cleveland last year, one rookie robot broke down in the middle of a Practice match and began to smoke. One of our members spent the rest of the time helping them fix it.



On our 11th year we even had to fight School Board Policy...

We moved from the area our sponsor gave to us to our school this year.



Very beautiful piece... (yes, I called it a piece) I was almost brought to tears

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

very inspirational post. i read it last year, but i read it again and it still feels good. We shipped a full functioning robot, but only after a solid final week of around the clock work every day. and even today, our practice robot is not 100% complete.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Would that be Krispy Kreme donuts? MMmmmmm good.

Billfred, are you aware you bump posted this post 1 year after the last time this was posted? :rolleyes:

Team 1501 will be more than willing to help any rookie team. Don't let the high number scare you, we have been around 5 years. Previous team was 535.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Yep. 'Twas the point. ;)

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

RAMTECH will be available if any teams need help in Florida Regional! Just for a loud group with blue and yellow uniforms or pass by our pit and our pit crew would be glad to help!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

i think this letter needs to become a sticky as it is really a great letter for all members to look back on time and time again.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

and yes i am aware that this is a really old old old post but this post is totally worth re reading for all teams

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

i'm so glad you re-opened this post. my team has been working for the past two days straight, and tempers were flaring from the stress. i sat them all down and read them this post, and i could see some of the members fighting back tears. i know my eyes started tearing up.

as a rookie team in a tough situation (broken parts, unfinished bot), this post made our whole 6 weeks worthwile. thank you for showing us this post.

good luck to all the teams and i hope you can make the deadline!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Rachel -
Broken parts, unfinished robots are something all of the teams have contended with at one time or another - usually at an inconvenient time. When things get difficult, it is good that you can turn to the wisdom in Gary's post and it is also good to remember that you guys aren't alone. There's a whole lot of FIRST teams hanging in there with you. And some of us have broken parts and an unfinished robot...:) We'll deal with it. Don't forget to get some rest soon.

Jane

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

I myself am on a rookie team, I think we did a good job with our robot and the challenges we faced. I can not wait until competition to see what other teams came up with and some ideas possibly for next year. What I like is there is no ONE right answer, so all the robots will be really different.:rolleyes:

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Also for all of the rookies out there (including us) dont worry if you didnt get that ramp on there or that arm or that emp system hidden in your plywood frame:yikes: . If you have a robot that is in compliance with the rules and runs you did better than a lot of the rookies out there. we for example wanted a fully functional ramp bot that could hold 2 robots and be made out of diamond plate aluminum. what we ended up with was a plywood box that was barely in compliance with the rules (we are still working with the compliancosity).

During the two weeks between the ship date and the competetion is when you should be working on your logo and tshirts. and during the summer is when you should be fully utilizing the kop you paid 6000 bucks for and making a kick $@#$@#$@# robot that you can show to companies to get their sponsorship.

And sell all other expensive kop parts on ebay and say they are brand new because they are.

And next year advertise so you get more people to join your team. and then petition your school board for a workshop or team up with your school teams that need a workshop and start a petition for a workshop.

This was only your first year and i am sure that most of the rookies are in the same boat as you.

And the rookie teams that accomplished what they planned on doing from the beginning and got it done without a workshop and on the weekends at peoples houses with limited tools and experience, I truly applaud you for sticking to your goals and not giving up because you didn't want to take the chance to fail.

also go win at regionals with your "plywood shoebox" just to stick it to the more experinced teams:p

p.s. yes i did say compliancosity...

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Thanks for the encouragment. Our team has had a wonderful experience these last six weeks. Suprisingly, we've had more ups than downs. Our students are extremely excited and ready to compete, despite some of our shortcomings on the robot end.

I'd like to thank the teams that have given us tips and encouragement throughout the build season. It is nice to see the gracious professionalism in action among so many teams.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

now i am glad i did rebump this to the tops

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

The original poster is spot on. I will print this out and read it to my team every year after we ship. Great post. I can't say enough about it. It's what FIRST is all about.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Looks like we missed last year :ahh:

I really feel that this thread applies not just to rookies, but to vets as well. Seeing robots like 148, 254 and 100 (and others) have posted here can turn pride into envy pretty quickly. The matches have not yet been played, the game is not yet over. These robots have proven themselves "great" through some videos of stationary trailers. You still have plenty of time to prove your robot and your team are great both on and off the field, this year and in the years to come.

Whether you're the swerve driving, fan assisted, power dumping, 30 balls per second machine or the "Brave Little Toaster" running for your life, you will be a critical piece of every alliance you play on this year. This game is truly a team game and will require every robot on an alliance to be giving their all in order to achieve victory.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Remember we're pulling for you, we're all in this together.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Another warm welcome to rookies. You are just about to discover that everything good you've heard about is TRUE. I'm in this 'cause it's the most fun and exciting activity that I've encountered in high school in almost 20 years of teaching. AND the people I've met personally all really do follow the FIRST directive about gracious professionalism. I tell parents and students alike who have questions about getting involved to think carefully, that they are entering a second family. I feel personal comittment to all of my FIRST students and their mentors and advisors. I expect to be called upon if they need me, and I expect their support if I need them. It is, for me, professional (I'm a teacher!) and totally emotional. I LOVE the kids involved, the other teachers and mentors involved, and usually shed a tear or two over the robots. Good luck, ask for help if you need it (like everyone has told you) and HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

we just shipped, fully funcutioning:D

cant wait for the regional

our rookie team 2797, shipped too:D

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Congratulations to you guys!

One thing I love about ship day is how everybody, from the rookie to the ten-plus-year veteran, can feel accomplishment and pride in what they've spent the last six weeks pouring their hard work, time, blood, sweat, and tears into.

Also, I enjoy restoring a normal sleep cycle. But not as much as the first thing.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

One of my very favorite parts of FRC is seeing the tired but beaming smiles on the faces of the students and the mentors of a rookie team at the end of build season. In some small way (or perhaps large way), they have been transformed and have begun the process of building a team. It never gets old.

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Time to bring up another post I have bookmarked from my adventures through the spotlights.

Congratulations to all the rookies for making it through your first FRC build season!!

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

i know its been tough for rookies this season. this may include a lack of funding, manpower, or skill. but this is not the end. you will have the time of your life at your first frc competition, whether you win or lose. not only is this a competition, but a culture. each regional is like a party for our own little culture :cool: :cool:

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Kinda funny - when I originally wrote that post I was with SPAM; I've mentored 2 rookie teams since then and it certainly applied to us looking from the other side

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Digging the Possum Lodge reference. GO GO RED GREEN!
[/offtopic]

[ontopic] That was a heck of a read. I never saw this thread before it got bumped this last time. Anyone who goes to the Michigan Championships, if they're still at the Convocation Center at EMU, I'll probably be there. Look for me in my vintage Team 240 TEMPEST Robotics shirt, or my Button Mail Armor.[/ontopic]

P.S.: I still need to finish that ****ed thing. If you have buttons, I'll take one of each variant. Also, Am I the only one with all 5 Gearheads buttons?

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

yes... i hope everyone on all teams feel accomplished at what they have done... even if you only made one part on the robot, you were a big help... without that part the robot wouldn't function properly... so good luck to all the teams and see you at the regionals

Re: Dear Rookies - It only gets better....
 

Hard to believe this was from FIVE years ago (our rookie year), and it still fits perfectly. Very nice, Gary, and thanks again.