Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

Dick,

Wow, that was a great story. I don't believe I made it all the way through a post that long, but it was so interesting that I couldn't stop reading.

You guys had one of those experiences this year that will make you either: a) quit FIRST and never look back because it's too stressfull and time consuming, or b) hook you for life. It sounds like you guys might be leaning toward (b).

Experiences like that are some of the best experiences in all of FIRST. It often is the first time that any of the students would get to experience having something start out as a disappointment, and then have it become a success as a result of hard work and effort. That experience can provide great inspiration thoughout their lives as they face seemingly insurmountable challenges in their future.

I hope to see you guys in Atlanta - maybe I can beat a little sense into you about this rule change thing (just kidding - I'm laughing from typing that, so I hope you find that funny)

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

#2 seed, won with56 and 316. 1185 was #1, picked 103, lost in semis to #4 293 and 358.

This led to some confusion in the finals. The #2 alliance played the first match as the Red Alliance (which didn't seem weird seeing as we were higher seeded than #4). However, that's not how the scoring system worked at the time and since we were from the right side of the bracket we were supposed to be Blue. So we played the next match as the Blue Alliance . That is the only time I've ever seen alliances switch colours mid round.

After winning last year as the #6 seed with 395, 365 and 56 have now won Philly 3 times on the same alliance. This includes #1 seeded alliance in '01, the last #1 seed to win it.

Of course your Bobcats (177) have contributed to this string of upsets by winning Philly in '04 and '06. I think your team loves being the Blue Alliance, the underdogs that will out-strategize the field.

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

This must be what I'm rembering. I knew there was something weird about that one.

Us, never...
Although we do have a history of doing well from the 8th seed.

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

As Dick was saying as part of his story, I'd like to point out that an alliance consisting of 111, 1625, and 3135, two of which are some of the biggest names at the Midwest regional, and one of which I could tell was one of the strongest rookie teams out there, got beaten by an alliance consisting of no teams with a number lower than 2300, all of which were just fairly solid bots with a good driver behind each one.

If there has ever been a year where the GDC has successfully leveled the playing field for all teams, those two semifinals matches would suggest that this is that year.

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

Yes, its funny, and I've already taken enough beatings here at CD on that one to at least come to appreciate all views on it.
Thanks for the encouraging feedback on the story. I wanted to give people the feel of what could happen during a regional as far as turning the tide in the face of asversity, as well as the extent to which all levels of teams are being challenged by the Breakaway game this year.

-Dick Ledford

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

Dick, I have to say that I understand you.
We were on a very similiar situation this year.

We are a second year team (low number because our school's team was closed and we reopened it after 4 years).
We are 9 people in the team with only 4 who really work.
Our mentor was the worst mentor ever - he "came to visit" us twice in the beginning of the build season and than left us - leaving us four students with no teachers,parents, mentors - no one.
We tried building whatever we can until end of week 3.
We looked at our robot and decided to start all over, and do something better.

After another 3 weeks of everyday, 24/7, working, we finished it.
We had a pneumatic-elastic kicker, mecannum drive and a roller ball magnet.

We got to #15th seed (out of 55) and didn't move on to the elimination matches, but at list i know we can build a fully-functional robot without any help :)

This year, both build season and the regional, was a life changing year. We will continue with FIRST for the third year for sure!

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

The way I see it, its a matter of knowing how to play the game. Most of the robots I have seen in NJ and VA have similar kickers, and some of them kick the same distance as others. With that said, I feel that this game depends more on strategy and pre-match meetings than how the robot is designed. For hanging, that's a completely different. Obviously the powerhouses are dominant in FIRST (hence why the are called powerhouses), but there is a lot of potential for other rookie teams, and a good start is a good base strategy. Some drive practice doesn't hurt as well.

I'm just basing my opinion on what our team did and what I have seen this year.

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

Mori1578,
Wow, that's an unbelievably amazing accomplishment! It shows that commitment and dedication are the main driving ingredients for completing a FIRST bot build. An what better lesson is there to learn about life than this? Lacking those aspects, even bigger, more experienced and better mentored teams often fail miserably. Hope your stellar effort attracts more team members and more serious mentoring efforts next year. All the Best!

-Dick Ledford

Re: Am I the only one that thinks that Breakaway is a game for the powerhouse vets?
 

From what I know of powerhouse teams, they have a great attitude.

They work harder than most teams do, they don't necessarily have more manpower (some I know are a group of 5-6 core students and mentors), and they never settle.

There is no way you could "level the playing field" without making hard work illegal. When an elite team wins, I am satisfied knowing that someone worked hard, and was rewarded for it.