101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I want to write the document referenced in the title of this thread. I don't think I have 101 of my own ideas, so I'll start and let any interested parts of the hivemind chime in.

1. Be aggressive in your onsite marketing. If no one knows who you are, you'd better have a robot so much better than everyone else's that it just doesn't matter.

2. Specialize. Despite what Robert Heinlein said about insects, you can't run a team where everyone is responsible for everything.

3. Check the robot before every match. Use checklists. If it's good enough for NASA, it's good enough for FIRST.

4. Wear comfortable shoes.

5. Bring lots of water. No one wants to pay $4 for 16 ounces of water.

6. If you want to do well at the tournament, pick your drivers ahead of time. The qualification rounds are no time to test new drivers.

7. Adults should keep their hands in their pockets when work needs to be done.

8. Get out of your pits and meet other teams. Otherwise, you might as well watch a Webcast.

9. Wear distinctive shirts.

10. Get more sleep.

11. Be enthusiastic. Yell, cheer, chant, dance. Act foolish.

12. Make sure your robot has the correct code loaded.

That should be a good start. Only 89 to go. :]

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I'll speak from recent experience on this one...

Don't EVER lose hope. Even if you're dead last after quailfying, there is still a chance to make it to the finals. Keep working to make you're robot the best it can be.

(This one is courtesy of Ryan Dognaux) Scout teams, not matches. Sometimes very good teams run into very bad luck.

Meet other people from other teams - they have a lot to teach and a lot to learn.

HAVE FUN! These competitions are supposed to be a blast - don't lose sight of just how fun science, technology and engineering can be. And always look at the big picture.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

network. FIRST is more than just a robotics competition. use it to find out what you like and try to meet people you can get in touch with when you leave high-school, for job oportunities.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

*Always scout your competition and alliances.
*Always have enough people in the pits to fix your robot at any given time, but don't keep the pits crowded with unnecessary people.
*Keep up on FIRST's schedule of events.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

counting up the other posts, thatll make this number 21...

21. Don't be afraid to have fun because its not "cool". Honestly, no one at a FIRST competition is gonna judge you. No one cares. Chances are, there are least 20 people dorkier than you.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

22. Yes, kids really do cry when their robot loses. Pretty soon, you will too.

23. When something goes wrong with the robot, it's always the programmer's fault. ;)

Dave

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

24. Start the animation on kickoff day, not 10 PM the night before the deadline.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Don't panic if something stops working.

If you need help, ask for it! Other teams are more than willing to help out, and chances are, one of them will know what's wrong.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

27- Never forget your multitool in the hotel.

28- Never forget your safety glasses.

29- Don't forget your robot cart.

30- Don't forget 27 through 29.

-Andy A.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

31. A Minute on the field waiting is as long as a microsoft minute (read as eternity).

32. A Minute during the match goes bye like a flash.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

33. make sure someone has a key to the big toolbox, or disable the lock before you leave. Trying to borrow a hacksaw at 8am thursday is embarrasing

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

34. ALWAYS bring a spare cordless drill battery to uncrating, becuase your's will die. (We had to remove many screws with a screwdriver :( )

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

35 Make sure your PWM cables are going in the right direction

36. Learn what every flashing light in the control system means

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

37. make sure you have the spare battery plugged in and zip tie the battery connection (helps a lot when battery don't come undone during the a match)

38. make sure there are batteries on charge for the robot

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

39- Keep your pit ORGANIZED. It is MUCH easier to get repairs done on a tight schedule if you dont have to spend ten minutes looking for a tool.

40- Make sure everyone knows about the robot. Being able to have any team member speak eloquently to the judges is a huge plus!

41- Do not get more complicated than is nessecary. "Keep it simple, Keep it safe."

42- If something goes wrong with your robot, dont stress out too much. There will ALWAYS be someone willing to help, and someone with a worse issue.

43- Check all systems before every match. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TIGHT CONNECTIONS AND THE SERIAL CABLES ARE FULLY SCREWED IN.

44- Most problems are electrical or in the program. If something goes wrong, check these first.

45- Buy non-standard joysticks, the ones in the KoP suck.

46- Eat. Take lunch breaks, and one or two other ones. Otherwise the stress will kill you.

oh, and last but not least....

47- Sleep before the competition, because for three days you wont get much if any.

I just got back from my first FIRST regional, and this woulda been useful!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

How addicting it becomes

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

49. have your pit crew assigned before ship and give them practice on the robot

50. give your drivers a lot of practice, if there is space on the field and you have time use the field

51. color coordinate your tools for easy access in the pits, say i need a 10/24 screw, wheres it o, it's blue...

52.have a big banner to put up in the stand area

53. have a neatly organized pit area, very team/spectator friendly

54. HAVE A CLOCK! it helps a lot and make sure it's the right time

55. safety FIRST

and i can think of more but I'll leave some room for others

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

56. Never be afraid to ask for a spare part even if your sure no one will have it.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

you havent seen the warning label?

WARNING! FIRST IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE - MAY CAUSE: SLEEPLESSNESS, LARINGYTIS, UNCONTROLLABLE CHEERING, YELLING, CLAPPING, STOMPING, TENDENCY TO TALK TO ALLEN WRENCHES, COMPULSION TO BE IN ATLANTA IN APRIL, REVULSION FOR PIZZA, INCLINATION TO CALL PEOPLE 'HUMAN PLAYER', OBSESSION WITH #S 5 26 120 130, INTENSE LOVE/HATE FEELINGS TOWARDS ROBOTS, IRREVERSABLE POSTIVE ATTITUDE, STRONG FONDNESS FOR WOODY FLOWERS, STRANGE DESIRE TO BALANCE THINGS ON 2 WHEELS, TENDENCY TO LEAN TOWARDS MIT, INEXPLICABLE ADMIRATION FOR SOMEONE CALLED DEAN KAMEN, CAUTION! MAY CAUSE STUDENTS TO SUDDENLY EXCEL UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. SIDE EFFECTS ARE PERMANENT - THERE IS NO CURE OR TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION TO FIRST.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

57. Remember to eat and drink, FIRST is very intensive and food is not often your number one priority during the day. :ahh:

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

57. Talk to other teams, make friends, moer friends = much more fun

58. When scouting, dont sweat the small details, look at the important facts needed and scout them well.

59. Scouting is MUY important

60. Support your team with all you have

61. Have fun

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

62. You're never too cool for a giant conga line around an arena. :cool:

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

63. Make sure you turn the robot on before the match

64. Eat a good breakfast before competition

65. Speak up when it comes to a major decision about the robot

66. Dont be afraid to talk with other teams

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

67. its impossible to bring too many buttons

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

68. It's immpossible to bring too much of any give away.

69. Make sure your battery cable isn't somewhere your arm will catch it and unplug it when you start a match. (True story)

70. For Heaven's sake, use a velcro battery strap or otherwise firmly secure your battery. Batteries don't help you if they're lying on the field.

71. If part of your robot cart sometimes sticks to the underside of the robot, make sure it's not stuck there when you put the robot down for a match, leaving your wheels 2 inches off the ground. (Almost a true story)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Hey! You changed it.
Good thing. Now it can be the template for the new version of the button. :D

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

72. Safety glasses may be a nice forehead protector, but thats not what they are made for.

73. Make a list of safety rules and go over it with your team so everyone knows the proper safety procedures. Place list in pits where everyone can read it. Judges like the list(2 safety awards this year so far).

74. Make punishments for breaking the safety rules. Pushups work good.

75. Be careful when driving your robot cart over cables, it can learn how to fly(almost a very bad thing).

76. Stop very slowly when your robots wheels are the only thing touching the cart(almost another very bad thing).

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

77. (KokoEd reminded me of another) your teams banner can never be

TOO BIG

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

heh. :o

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

78. If you're the coach, don't be afraid to do whatever you have to in order to get the driver's attention, especially if it's to avoid a penalty. Go on, it won't kill him to be hit on the head.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

sorry i frogot one

79. Winning is an outcome

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Now you can add all your reminders to one centralized list.

http://www.nrg948.org/portal/modules.php?name=101Things

I've already added all the ones up to this point.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I beg to differ on that one...

just ask Ricky Q. how safety glasses saved his life up there!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Only a very few people will really, really appreciate this, but:

"You need an open-handed slap to the side of the head."

or some variation of the same.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

But if you're the coach, don't touch the controls, whatever you do.

(And before you laugh, this actually happened to us at one match at Chesapeake. Disqualification isn't pretty.)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

79. Always coordinate strategy with your partners.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

81. If you dont think you'll get enough sleep, better bring some Bawls!

82. Don't bother bringing a GameBoy or iPod.

83. Always keep track of your stuff (i.e. put your name on it), especially when you leave things in the stands, and especially if everyone on the team has something that looks exactly like yours (i.e team shirts).

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

84. If people offer free hugs, take them up on it.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

85. Volunteer...it will make you see a totally different side of FIRST.

86. Often time the best, most powerful teams are the ones who are most likely to help those in need.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

87. If it can't be done in pneumatics, it really doesn't need to be done.

88. Designate a few team members to be 'team spokespeople' in the pit and then be sure they are always there to be spoken to.

89. To really embarrass your mentors, make a huge sign of their head and then take it to every regional possible and get it on the webcast.

90. Your opions and statements DO reflect on your team and its' reputation, regardless of what your disclaimer says.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

91. If MOE (365) is at your competition...theres no need to bring tools or replacement parts. ;)

92. Don't ever let the engineers change things when they have a "good idea".

93. Remember that screw heads have to be in the box while fitting your robot.

94. Bring hardware...even if you don't think you'll need it or didn't use it on the robot - bring all you can.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

:) Scout early rather than late. It's no fun try to figure out who you want to pick in the last five minutes before you have to choose.

Anyone can end up being a picker and anyone can end up at the bottom of the list.

Sometimes a team that you were barely paying attention to can end up being a really great alliance partner.

Never let a problem with another team member get in the way of both of you having a good time.

Don't take things too seriously; It's supposed to be fun. :)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

95. Team 95 is always the underdog ;-)

96. Keep the same drive team and pit crew for every match

97. Delevop excellent communication between the pit crew and drive team, and within each group

98. Don't forget the chain of command

99. Don't be afraid to break the chain of command

100. Reliability the best asset you can have on the playing field

101. FIRST ROCKS!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

96. Don't bring things you won't need

97. Bring a mini first aid kit, because chances are someone in the stands will need it and won't want to go to the pits to use that one.

98. Remember that even if you are an item, and even if you aren't eating each others faces off, even the smallest PDA can make people think poorly of your team.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

i fully agreee with taht.. i met one of the most interesting girls ive met in my life from team 547 (tenesee). . .we have so much in common its like . .whoa..

another one: make shure all your batteries are numbers and use them in order 1-4 and MAKE SHURE YOU SWAP them after each match.,.. i went away asuming someone else would swap the batery.. but no. .. so we had one match of a almost dead battery.. it was embarasing....

second one: dont make an A$$ outa yourself and assume.. . its not a good thing :d

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

here is couple more

• you can NEVER finish your robot too early
• AlWAYS give your programers alot of time to test, if you want a reliable code and robot
• if the code don't work, check the robot(eps. wiring, sensors) as well as your code
• plan out everything before you start
• make sure the radio is plugged in before every match
• and AT LEAST test your autonomous code once, no matter in however a big of rush you're in

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I'm going to immodestly bump this thread from last season. I think it contains some really good advice, especially for rookie teams.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

In response to seven, as a rookie team, this is an issue we are facing. The following happened at our sunday meet:

After 2 hours of group discussions (everyone who showed up) the mentors went into the next room and decided that we would be building a corner scorer, not giving the kids a choice (though the kids would have voted for it anyway, as none of the mentors recommended a shooter). I wrote a long e-mail to my team detailing why that was a mistake.

So my question is, sure kids should listen to mentors, but aren't there going to be some times when adults need to do things (such as dangerous machining, electrical stuff?)? For example, noone on our team has learned CAD (unfortuneately). We had plans to learn it, but the software came about 1 1/2 months later than expected.

And #8 is just great =)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Paul, this is a great topic. Why not start a thread just for this, so the "101 things" thread doesn't get off-track? Thanks!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

You WILL loose your voice.

Hunger and thirst will disappear, but continue to eat and drink in normal intervals. Don't over/under eat.

Wash those hands! Don't get sick!

Bring eye glass wash to the competitions to keep those safety glasses clean!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

This is something I learned the hard way at my first event (BattleCry @ WPI)...

-Don't run down steep bleachers carrying 80 lbs of luggage and computer equiptment, because spraining your ankle less than three minutes into your first-ever FIRST event is not all that fun.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I'm saying this one from a couple experiences of mine.

*Get plenty of sleep before the events. I ended up falling asleep during the Boilermaker Regional last year and ended up missing lunch and one of our matches, and at West Michigan I almost missed the bus because I slept in. :p

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Bring white boards and markers. My team has done this since the first year we were competing. We use them to go over strategy with other teams, as well as to post when our matches are, with what teams, against what teams, and what color our alliance is.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

[quote=aaeamdar]
So my question is, sure kids should listen to mentors, but aren't there going to be some times when adults need to do things (such as dangerous machining, electrical stuff?)?
[quote]

Yes. There is no blueprint for how a team is formed and run.
The key to FIRST's success is the work of over 25,000 volunteer mentors, professional engineers, teachers, and other adults working with students .

Communication is what this is about.

Back to the list.... (might want to check out "18 hints for rookie teams from NEMO" in the white papers)

Lots of mentors and other adults read as well as post on chief delphi.
-Judges read chief delphi.
-Every individual post reflects back on your team.
-Judges really want to know about your team, your robot, your business plan, etc. Help them. Lots of hints on this in other posts.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

>Drink lots of water (It's amazing how everyone can say this now, but I'll still forget)
>Those little foam earplugs are nice (They get rid of the loud noises, but you can still hear people talking to you)
>If the code worked during practice, check hardware before the code
>Get cell phone numbers of as many people on your team as possible. Put these on a small list and distribute to your team.


This shouldn't be something you have to worry about, but: When using free wireless internet, everything you send can be intercepted (Unless the site is https). Again, you shouldn't have to worry about this.. not at a FIRST event.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

When going to a competition Venue, Travel Light, at least with personal items. If you can leave your coats in the bus/car/van/practice robot. Take only what you must have, Notebook, Pen/Pencil, Camera (Digital preferable), Wallet, Water Bottle (say good bye to your voice) and Laptop if needed. Other than that you won't need other personal items (leave your food in the car, run out and get it at lunch time)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Those are probably the best things anyone can do (I sort of disagree on the food part, expecially at the Detroit Regional where you might have to park about a mile away). Now I'm not saying that that will happen, but if there is another big event at the same time, Don't be surprised!

P.S. Where is the link to the website that had all these things listed?

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

-dont let the engineers completely design and build the robot
-let the whole team get involved in the planning and building process
-understand how to use a machine properly and safely before using it (mangled fingers...not fun)
-remember that everyone's opinion matters
-dont wait until the thursday of your first regional to install 2 speed gear boxes
-always read the updates on the FIRST website
-take advantage of all the amazing things CD has to offer :]

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

NEVER FALL ASLEEP AT A FIRST COMPETITION (PICTURES! )

Continue to participate in FIRST after high school (mentor/volunteer)
Don't assume you can eat lunch at Subway (VCU).. everyone else thought the same thing.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Our mentors say this every year... wash your hands when you leave the (metal) shop and use the restroom!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

thats a huge one. getting part of ur thumb taken off by the drill press isnt fun. Ive seen it and its pretty dusgusting.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Get everyone involved. Even the smallest freshman can have an idea an engineer would have never have come up with.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

As a Programmer, I resent that comment!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Best.
FIRST.
Button.
Ever.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Let's see...
*Don't burn bridges. You'll find FIRST is a very unpleasant place standing on scored earth.
*Don't be afraid to look around FIRST and learn from other teams. They have alot to share.
* Don't be afraid to share with other teams. You'd be surprised with how much you can contribute.
* Do not use 3D Studio Max for over 30 minutes without saving. Otherwise you will learn the true meaning of tragedy.
* You don't have to be a genius to join or enjoy. You just have to be interested and enthusiastic.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Make your plans for a social life once the robot is shipped.
Caffine IVs are essential.
Fun and pain go hand in hand.
If you are good at only one thing, learn another task.
How to go for 48 hours on 20 minutes of sleep (if you can call it that...)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Hammers are known as "speed" drivers
Duct tape is for when your speed driver gets out of control
Pins are ALWAYS in fashion
Jedi robes make any team instantly cool
You talk more to CD more than your friends
Engineers are celebrities
You don't need a license to drive a robot
It might help if you do know how to drive a robot
The fun always starts the weds. before a regional
Kickoff should be considered a national holiday
You learn how to find any team number you know in everyday life

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Some pit areas don't have chairs. A couple of folding chairs make life easier.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Don't worry if your robot is a little overweight on practice day chances are more holes can be drilled somewhere to reduce weight without compromising structural integrity too much

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Build a Battery charging station instead of just having a few chargers laying around. It comes in handy to have all your chargers in one place and you can check the status of all of them at a glance. Also, have someone in charge of it for the entire competition. It's a nightmare come true when someone utters "I thought you put that battery on charge."

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

spend the extra money to get yourself a comfortable pair of safety glasses that wont give you a headache if worn for 3 days straight (there is a reason why people wear them on their heads, because they are either uncomfortable or put their eyes out of focus and gives them a headache)

I'm gonna get some slack for this but

remember not even coke, Pepsi, mountain dew, sprite, bawls, jolt cola, your caffeine drink of choice or even pure speed is a comparable replacement for good ol' cowboy coffee (coffee brewed blacker than you have ever seen, left hot in the machine all night, cooled then microwaved and drunk without any milk or sugar)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

*Zipties are always good to have
*Speed holes are fun!!! :D

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

If anyone is interested there will be a new segment in FIRST cast called Daisycast by team 341 aimed at helping rookies it will premier in the next FIRSTcast and we address many of the issues discussed int this thread so tune in!!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

at the toronto regional, we aren't even allowed to bring in water. we have to buy it all there. I remember 2 years ago security giving someone problems and not letting them bring in some honey (i think) because he was diabetic.

I hope some rules have changed

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Bring earplugs of some sort. It gets VERY loud.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

mmmm.. cowboy coffee..

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

[quote=fnsnet]NEVER FALL ASLEEP AT A FIRST COMPETITION (PICTURES! )QUOTE]

I fell asleep at competitions all the time when I was younger.(I have 3 older siblings who did FIRST before me.) But since I've joined the team I've only fell asleep at one. We have pictures of it somewhere. But for a school project I had to carry around a baby doll that cryed all weekend. Which if you ever have to do that. Don't pick a FIRST filled weekend, you'll need more sleep then the kid gives you. It fell asleep at River Rage this year and I fell asleep a few miutes later. Blechers I must say, aren't all that comfy.

as for things you should know...

*Don't bring a fake baby to competitions, people think the thing is real and give you dirty looks especially if most people around you in FIRST know your entire family.

*Sleep is key...remember that always.

*Friends in FIRST become family throughout life. The bigger your family the more fun FIRST will be for you.

*The robot is important but remember that cheering for your robot is even more.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Don't worry, everyone forgets #33 one time in their FIRST career.

You WILL become addicted.

Christmas gifts will soon become plane tickets to Atlanta instead of PS3's

Going to extra regionals to watch is NEVER a bad thing.

Your second year in FIRST is your first year as a mentor. Always be open and willing to teach any skills or knowledge you have.

JT
229

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

One that I just thought of from thinking back:

Wear jeans, but bring shorts.

There's truth to this statement: I was field coach this year at Palmetto, and I had my jeans on. I was absolutely dying on Friday from the heat of competition (and the heat of the stage lighting on the field), so during the lunch break I ran back to my room, luckily right by where we had lunch, threw on the first clean pair of shorts I could find, and started walking back to the Colonial Center. Granted, this almost made me late for our match--we were the first after lunch--but I was much more comfortable afterward.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Very true. It may have been freezing at GLR outside, but Me, the other driver, and the coach all wore shirts inside the competition becuase we couldnt stand beingin pants and dying on the field.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

-The robot is never really done until the end of your last competition

This was especially true for 1646 last season. It looked like a different robot at Atalanta from the one we unveiled at the open house at the end of the build season.

-Expect everything to break on the robot at least once

three competitions, seven omni wheels.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

-Always expect the unexpected

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

-never, ever count anyone out, especially based on their placing

we were third or fourth from last at nationals and were picked for finals (even though we were eliminated in the first match)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

finish your robot BEFORE you ship it, not in the morning before the competition

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

you can never have enough zip ties

bring a dry earse board- nice to cheap track of matches, to do lists, who you borrowed from/loaned tools to

mulitples of tools-makes work go much faster

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

whiteboards are also great for strategy and planning out matches! we have found this effective for 2-3 years now and that way u can refresh peoples memories before a match on what everyone is doing.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

* When (and im saying when cause i know it will happen) youll stay for the night in your workshop testing and building the bot, make sure u got FOOD and COFFEE, you might actually suddenly notice u r starving to death...

*if the game item is a ball or something' u cant NOT play with it' just watch out hitting others precious stuff...u dont want any conflicts in your team ...

*DAve Lavery is massing with your head, but he must be taken seriously, evry word of his might be a lue that changes your machine...

*Be exposed to as many sides of FIRST as you can..if ur a programmer' u can be in the Chairman work part of your team in before the bot is ready, or before the team has any idea what it needs of you

*Remember' as friendly FIRST Competitions are, its still a game, and the other side wants to be a winner just as much as you do, adn just like you, they will do everything for it...

*Life is a game of chess' always look a few steps forward' and never be surprised, that the way of a true champ...

*Help others as much as u would like to recieve help from others..

*Girls are smarter then boys (and im a boy saying that).

* Never ever let a high school female student BUILD your robot, women are there to give orders to us, slaves...

*HAve your team organized well, many different parts like: Program team' Building, Webby, Public Relations, ANimation,. Each one of those must have a leader, and they all have to be organized together. A good FRC team is actually a small bussiness.

* People, no metter how uneducated they might be' will always find your machine intersesting, and will always ask questions u dont expext them (quote: "What on earth is that thing?"; "That's a robot?";"What's a robot?":"hm..erm...how do i anwer this question????"

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

A week of testing is more important than a week spent cramming one last feature into your robot.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Make sure that your batteries are :
1 - Charged
2 - fastened securely
3 - plugged in

and most of all, that your robot is turned on!

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Don't leave the batteries connected to chargers when the charger isn't connected to power.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Within a year FIRST/Chief Delphi will consume your life and all you will think about is alliance picking and how much you hate water games.

What a post for my 494th :)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Gunna have to go with.

Bring Ear-plugs when you get head-aches with loud noise.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

I wish I would have known that it could be more draining than a sports season....

yet incredibly addicting!!!:)

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

48. If your only drill is in the crate don't loose the game of rock paper scissors

49. Scouting should not be done during or after alliance selection

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

50. Have fun and enjoy the FIRST competition!

51. This is a learning experience for everyone and at any time, if you have a question about anything FIRST related, remember you can always ask your fellow CD friends for some advice.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Bring extra shirts for team members/family members who don't have any. (No selling though...)
Don't assume you'll have lunch (maybe just for Silicon Valley people). At SVR, all the food places were closed on Friday and Saturday since SJSU had no school or whatever. Sigh.
Don't lift things that are too heavy for you, and don't be afraid to ask people to help you! Sigh x2.

And most importantly, talk with other teams! This is possibly the only place (until college) where you'll be normal!! (Who knew ;))

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Check to see which battery is the most charged. Don;t just assume they are all ready to go.

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

Remember, you will be wearing your team shirt for 3 consecutive days. Either bring more than one or wear something under it to prevent others from passing out.:p

Re: 101 Things I Wish I'd Known Before My First FIRST Tournament
 

You forefit any and all rights to any form of mental sanity at the beginning of week four.