[George Nishimura]

As always, defensive strategy relies on your opposition. However, I think there is cause to actually have 1.5 robots in defence, particularly if the opposition alliance has fender bots.

This year's game is not really about the endgame, as it is about the lead. You should win if you have the lead going in to the endgame. That's why autonomous is huge in this game, whereas bridges should just cancel out.

If you have the lead, the strategy should be to disrupt and mimic. While your best shooter stays in your half scoring baskets, the other robot can go protect your alley (ie have a robot sit in your alley) so the inbounders can get the balls over to the other side without any opposition opponents stealing your ball, while stealing any rebounds and cross the field to score [maybe take turns with the other robot]. The third robot can just be a nuisance, sit in front of the fender or compete for any rebounds.

Depending on how strong your alliance is at balancing versus your opposition, the d-bot can either go for the alliance bridge early, or park itself near the opposition bridge early to delay the opposition balancing.

This year's game seems to be about timing and possession. Disrupting that is the key to defence.