Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

I've been doing some research, and found out that a lot (not all) of the real successful teams in FIRST have a large area to practice in, or at least enough room for a practice field. Does anyone think these two could be related? If so, I'm hoping to use it as a fact for a presentation given to my school about why we need a bigger room to practice in (It's currently tiny).

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Yes. I know that one of the top drivers in FRC (in his day--he's graduated) wore multiple sets of wheels out practicing during his career. You don't need a full practice field, per se, but a 1/2-length or 1/3 width could do the work very well (depending on the year), and anything larger would be simply extra room to get other robots out there with you.

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Yes.

All of the good teams I know build practice robots and practice on large fields (whether or not they are their own).

Without a practice field, you cannot practice. You will get no more than about an hour of field time during a normal FRC competition (assuming you play through the finals). An hour of drive practice (an entire competition worth) is not a ton of time during the build season, but can immensely help driver skills training. When you have a large enough area to do full field drills, you can run up to full speed very easily, and get a much better feel for how the robot will actually handle on the field. Carpet is important for this. As a final thought, it's very hard to program an autonomous if the field isn't big enough to run it fully.

Another thing you might want to compare between teams is work hours and dedication, and building a practice robot. I know of a team (who works across the street from us, we use their practice field occasionally) who works harder than any team I know. When we go to practice (in between competitions), they are always spending late nights (past midnight) practicing, letting their robot cool and building minibots, practicing some more, fixing whatever breaks, etc. while their robot is sitting in its bag in the corner, only to pull it out for a two hour unbag winow and practice some more.

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Related? Very likely. Does having a practice field cause you to perform better? Not necessarily, but likely.

It's pretty likely that teams that perform better on a regular basis are also teams that seek out additional resources, which could include a practice field. Basically, the teams that have practice fields are probably also the teams that work harder.

In the end, if you think you'll perform better with a practice field and you can reasonably explain why, that's better than any correlational study. Allow me to point out the fallacy of the Appeal to Common Practice.

If you're looking for reasons why a practice field could be beneficial, then just ignore me. This thread would be a great place for that.

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Thanks for all of your input! I really appreciate it! I was just talking to my team mate who had the idea of a collapsible field, Like, we bring a roll of carpet (with tape, etc.), have mobile scoring pegs, etc. Would that be a viable option?

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

A very viable option and wise decision. A per se "modular" practice field is a great way to prep and test.

Our team uses the school cafeteria during build season as a practice field. Our scoring pegs, walls, and other field components are all easily broken down and placed back in storage by Sunday night (if over the weekend), or every night (if during the work week). The only hassle is the full roll of carpet we have from the 2010 CT Regional. It's best to have a smaller carpet if only testing key robot functions.

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Thanks! We would mainly be testing smaller robot functions, but not too small. We would still need a place easy enough to fit, but enough room for actual driver practice. We currently use the library, but we have to bring EVERYTHING over there, including robots, minibot poles, tubes, computers, drive stations, scoring racks, EVERYTHING. Plus, it's all the way on the other side of campus. We are trying to get either a bigger room, closer to the middle of school, or another room to use. The school says "maybe soon", but never does anything. We had the idea of having a storage in the library where we can put field parts when not being used, but we're not sure if the library will let us. If we can get a large carpet, we may be able to practice in the cafeteria, since there is a storage area in the back our lead mentor is in charge of.

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Practice field + Practice bot + Iteration = awesome sauce

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

And who doesn't like Awesome sauce?!

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Would it be possible to acquire a truck trailer to store parts 'n' stuffs in? We use a classroom for general storage (robots, computers, electronics, tools), and have a trailer located outside that holds travel supplies, game pieces, and raw materials. Our practice field components are stored beneath a stairwell.

Having a shed of sorts may be a viable option if your school allows it. As long as it is secured properly and isn't found as an eye sore I'm sure it'll work as a solution.

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

We have a storage bin, but it's very messy and needs to be cleaned out (on to do list). But, it's on the far side of campus, only next to the thousands of yards of fields our school uses for its highly esteemed sports programs. :(

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Make a robot that'll pick it up... :rolleyes:

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

But where are we going to store that? :rolleyes:

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

In a bin that another robot you made... made. :cool:

Re: Correlation between driving skill and practice field availability
 

Challenge accepted. :cool: