Re: Do's and Dont's
 

DON'T have someone on the drive team who doesn't have an understanding of at least the rules that pertain to his/her position. So many penalties in Week 1were because the PS's made mistakes that they might/might not have thought were fine.

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

Or, even worse, coaches touching the controls. In the short time I was watching Midwest, I saw no fewer than three DQs for it. If you see me do it on the field this season, please take the time to kick me in the butt.

Also, don't ever write off a team. Ever.

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

Don't forget to check nuts, bolts, and screw before you send the robot back out. Just because they were tight earlier doesn't mean they are now.

Don't let three people from a ten person team program in a room during week two instead of finalizing a design.

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

If you're a freshman, don't be really obnoxious and not do anything. The upper-classmen will resent you for it, and they're already inclined to harass you because you're freshmen already. If you ARE an annoying freshman, work hard and share food with people. People will still be annoyed, but you're less likely to get strangled by the end of week 4 of build.
We saw both sides of this on our team, mostly with the freshman guys. We had 3 freshman guys. 1 showed up maybe twice, CADed a side of the crate, and then goofed off the rest of the time instead of doing his work, all the while cursing up a storm and giving people lip. The other two goofed off a bit and would make inappropriate comments, but they CADed up the entire robot and brought food. The girls were much more pleasant to work with. So yes, I am talking from experience.

Also, I'm not calling all freshman annoying or obnoxious, just calling out those who are. This applies to older guys too, but the newbies on the team are much less likely to call you on it if you're twice their size, at least in my experience so far.

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

Do practice driving. Our driver was ok, but definitely could have improved with more practice.

Do update your firmware LONG before you go on the field. You need time to make sure the code redownloads properly and fix problems if it doesn't.

Do not expect a design will flesh itself out; unlike in CAD, parts do not hang in midair just because they have been placed there.

Do not give the coach badge to the programmer, or let them take it themself. If they have to clarify something to the driver, it's important they be able to touch the controls in order to do so. Our programmer was wearing the coach badge during our first practice match, and grabbed the controls in the middle. *facepalm*

Do know what the coach badge means, especially if you put it on!

Do not spend time making changes to the robot at competition if the problem lies with strategy (or lack thereof).

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

NEVER... No, ALWAYS have somebody with their hand on the disable switch when testing code you're unsure of, especially when the operation of your robot could damage itself or others.

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

Do not forget to eat and drink even if you are really busy at the New Jersey regional trying to finnish your robot. (learned that one the hard way)

Do not trust your flaky faculty advisor with the shipping papers. She will forget them in her classroom

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

Don't "just get something driving" without any design phase for a superstructure. It wastes a lot of time when you have to go back and switch to a wide base.

I have this problem with everything -- debate, robotics, even just being home alone. Once I'm in college... I'll have to learn to eat?

Re: Do's and Dont's
 

Do not have your robot hit the head ref with an orbit ball. They will not be happy. Oops :)