Originally Posted by IBdrummer (Post 944643)

A lot of the most spirited/weird/out there teams are that way because they embrace FIRST, but not only the spirit side, also the professional side. As a FIRST alumni of 233 I wish my team was the most spirited and colorful out there this weekend, but I know for as much effort they put into being spirited and cheering, they put at least ten times that into being professional. Judges like color because it shows enthusiasm for the competition and equally important to them is knowing your robot. FIRST might not always make sense to an outside observer; and trust me I'm no fan of the BCS (even if it helps my team out...Go gators!), but you have to look past the colorful outfits and screaming teams to get the real point of FIRST, Inspiration. If they have all these kids screaming at the top of their lungs for science and technology, then they're doing something right. FIRST changed me from a lawyer to a mechanical engineering student in college and that is something I will never forget.
In terms of the finals, I know my team as well as most others have a pretty good system down for ranking teams, in which team color isn't a factor. Yes, opinion matters and in selections sometimes luck plays in, but we've picked teams that were plywood boxes before because we thought they were the best team.
If you're a football guy, I'm surprised you aren't a driver (maybe you tried out, idk), but that's probably the best position for a guy who is competitive. I knew thats what I wanted to be, so I went for it, and if you haven't tried it, you might want to go for it because there is nothing funner than being on that field. Just some of my experiences/suggestions, but either way, I hope you give FIRST another shot.

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944647)

:D Loved one of your mentor's pink beard... I was a "driver" I just stood next to the actual driver and just got first row seats.. I was the big asian guy with a buzz cut

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944647)

I was a "driver" I just stood next to the actual driver and just got first row seats..

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944644)

That is true, but I always been taught, get in, get out, get the job done and just say good game, nothing more, nothing less. Always know what your job is and your team mate's job. But I guess that does not apply to FIRST then...

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944634)

Just pissed why we didn't make the finals... Just regret is all I remember from the competition.

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday (Post 944652)

Not to be giving suggestions, but if you guys want to actually use the full complement of two drivers like our team does, allocate duties: One driver drives the robot while the other person does the auxiliary tasks, such as kicking and hanging. It has worked great for us every year.

If you guys really dont want to do that, let you second driver be a second pair of eyes, or a coach.

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944657)

IDK if that idea really works... because when you play games, does that ever happen? One guy moves the player and the other aims and shoots? Our driver was fantastic, when our bot was working fine we got all our balls on our side into the goal. and we has 2 or 3 "coaches", and 1 driver at a time

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944644)

That is true, but I always been taught, get in, get out, get the job done and just say good game, nothing more, nothing less. Always know what your job is and your team mate's job. But I guess that does not apply to FIRST then...

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 944655)

24 teams make the eliminations. 59 teams are on the team list.That means that 35 teams don't make eliminations, and at least 27 have no chance at all (not high enough of a seed to be a backup robot).

You seeded 20th. This is generally regarded as backup robot territory. As a matter of fact, you were the #6 robot on the backup list (which goes up to 8 robots). This is not the best spot to be in, but at least you have a chance, however slim, of making it into the eliminations.

I have a challenge for you. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects that you observed, find a way to become competitive enough to consistently be in the quarterfinals, or the #1 backup robot. I've looked at your team's history--you've been twice. You've got something that can get you there. You need to cultivate it. (Note: the last time you made it, in 2008, you ran up against 330, 1717, and 980 in quarterfinals while paired with 1538 and 207. There wasn't much anyone could do in that type of situation except fight hard.)

Oh, and try to convince your advisors to sign up for the SCRRF Fall Classic. It's a more low-key post-season event, where you can relax, talk to other teams, and just enjoy the competition. It's also much smaller, giving you more time to interact with other teams and a higher chance of making eliminations.

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944657)

IDK if that idea really works... because when you play games, does that ever happen? One guy moves the player and the other aims and shoots? Our driver was fantastic, when our bot was working fine we got all our balls on our side into the goal. and we has 2 or 3 "coaches", and 1 driver at a time

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944657)

IDK if that idea really works... because when you play games, does that ever happen? One guy moves the player and the other aims and shoots? Our driver was fantastic, when our bot was working fine we got all our balls on our side into the goal. and we has 2 or 3 "coaches", and 1 driver at a time

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 944664)

Ask Shane, the drive coach on 330, about that.

For reference, Shane and Elijah, his arm/shooter operator, won 4 regionals, 2 Championship divisions, the Championship, and 1 IRI in 4 years as a drive team. In addition, they picked up 2 regional finalists and 1 IRI finalist.

Yep, it works. It can also take a load off the driver by allowing another person to take some of his duties. The hard part is to have a drive team instead of two drivers. That can only come through practice and trust.

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday (Post 944662)

IT works. We were alliance captains, and got knocked out in the semifinals by one point to the winning alliance. This game is not basketball, or soccer. It is FRC.

You also complain about being a poor team: Our school gives almost nothing besides a building and amazing teachers. We get our money from fundraising and sponsors.



This is so true. Our team and team 365 chilled together for quite a while talking and chatting. They ended up beating us in the semifinals, but they ending giving their "moeaward". I still am not sure what that is, but I cant wait to talk with some of their team again. They were all so nice, and it makes me feel proud to be part of a game where teams can be nice, and still compete.

Originally Posted by davidthefat (Post 944672)

LOL Im probably gonna get bashed on by my mentors for treason or something once they find this thread...