Team Update #7
 

http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...Update%207.pdf


Relevant changes:

"Match lists for the second and third day of competition will be available on the afternoon of practice day. The FTA will determine what time these lists will be generated and distributed. The Pit Administration Supervisor will manage the distribution process."

Re: Team Update #7
 

Could someone please tell me what FTA stands for? I probably had already known what it meant but right now I am drawing a blank, and have no idea what it means.
Thanks
Joey

Re: Team Update #7
 

FTA stands for "FIRST Tech Advisor."

Re: Team Update #7
 

FIRST Technical Advisor

Re: Team Update #7
 

I remember now thanks. I was also thinking... Didnt we get the match schedules on the Friday morning in the past, or is that just when I saw them. Getting them on Thursday could let you do some serious scouting/strategising.
Joey

Re: Team Update #7
 

Yep, they've always been distributed on Friday mornings. This, in my opinion, is a change for the better.

Re: Team Update #7
 

They weren't put out until before the pits opened Friday morning. They were or could be ready the day before, however.

Re: Team Update #7
 

Yes, schedules did come out on Friday morning in the past.

Be kind to your Pit Administrators. Previously they could pass out the schedules in the pit areas before they were open. Now they will have to do it in the press of the crowd. They will get to you - you don't have to crowd around.

Re: Team Update #7
 

I think this is a great change. No more waiting until everyone's left to generate the match schedule and now teams will know well in advance if they have an early match Friday morning. Here's a suggestion for teams: after you get the schedule on Thursday, if you have an early qualifying match, check your alliance partners to see if any need help getting inspected and running effectively.

(Your friendly FTA for NJ, Detroit, Philly and Newton)

Re: Team Update #7
 

I personally like the schedules coming out Thursday. It gives many teams that play in those first few matches more time to plan instead of walking in Friday morning and saying holy crap we're match one and we need to do something. I can see this being a very advantageous new rule

Re: Team Update #7
 

my dream has come true, receiving the schedule on Thursday. Now the strategy team and I get to stay up late working on strategy Thursday and Friday night :rolleyes:

Re: Team Update #7
 

Yeah, thats what I am thinkin:D
Joey

Re: Team Update #7
 

Does anyone know if FIRST has worked on their randomizing algorithms for alliance selection since the big stink from last year? I remember we played against Hermitige High(#?) at VCU every match and it was fristrating cause they played straight up defense and shut us down eveyr game. We didn't get much of a chance to show off because of it and seeded really low.

Re: Team Update #7
 

Yes they have. I'm not sure of the exact details, but they have info about it in one of the updates.
Joey

Re: Team Update #7
 

From what i understood reading the rules this year on the seeding portion, It said that they use a pre-determined algorithm, i havnt seen anything about them changing it tho. About mid last season everyone was complaining about it, so they said they fixed it. But at nationals it was still there with the same problem.

Re: Team Update #7
 

As mentioned in an update and linked from the manual pages, FIRST will be using Tom Saxton's match selection algorithm this year. More information about this algorithm can be found here:

http://www.idleloop.com/matchmaker/