Re: Staying in Zones
 

Just to point out to those using the soccer analogy... Even in soccer, players go where the ball is. When the ball is at the far side of the field, the defenders push up to midfield, the midfield push up to attack, etc. If you're defending and realize there are no balls in your zone... push up! If you can get more balls into your offensive zone, while at the same time denying those balls to your opponents, it's a win-win.

Re: Staying in Zones
 

There plenty of arguments for and against crossing zones. It's somewhat situation dependent. If having two robots in your alliance go to the middle allows you to take control the flow of balls (and from there, IMHO, the flow of the game), then it could be worth removing your defensive robot out.

The middle is really your first line of offense and of defense once the match gets going. Stopping a ball from going to your opponent is defensive, while putting it in your zone is offensive.

Honestly, I don't think we'll really know the answer until at least near the end of week one regionals. I'm guessing maybe even farther than that because at that point some robot capabilities (and driver skill) are not fully developed.

Re: Staying in Zones
 

I would like to say that in Atlanta (if that is your goal as it is for most robots) i believe that this goes over well until the finale in which i believe most bots will be able to hang for the bonus 2 and 3 points. this being said at the oklahoma regional I can see being able to switch as a good strategy as we will be hosting a multitude of new teams that may not be able to play in certin zones due to a lack of prior FIRST knowlege. With this in mind Team 1742 plans to make a bot that can travel between zones and is effective in all three.

Re: Staying in Zones
 

I will share with you all one of the "Golden Rules" I got from one of the great FIRST strategists...

I'll leave it at that...

Re: Staying in Zones
 

I would caution everybody reading this that the strategy that wins in Week 1 regionals most likely will not be sufficient come Week 4 or 5, and certainly not at the Championships.

Re: Staying in Zones
 

My prediction...

Atlanta.... most goals will be scored FROM the midfield.
the robot in the scoring zone will be more of a blocker....giving the midfield robots opportunities to score...

I do think that we will see many matches with 4 robots in the midfield.

Defensive robots defending goals will have to be exceptionally careful going over the ramps.... if they spill over on the way up.and fall back into their zone... there will be NO robot in that goal zone unless another robot can effect a save from the ramp. And no robot will be able to take their place as long as they are in contact with the carpet in that zone.

If you are designing a "goal tender" bot... one of its key performance parameters will have to be the ability to self-right... or an infallible method of going over the ramp... OR the ability to go under the tower... or a combination of these....

good luck!!

I am paraphrasing Pele.... "Whoever controls the ball controls the game."
You don't have to score goals to win... you have to control the balls...

In Atlanta it will be about controlling the balls...and scoring from the midfield.


Just my prediction... it will be fun