[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Michael Blake

IF you're lucky enough (4th to 1st seed) to be able to pick the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th robots/teams in a regional... HOW do you handle/work-with these teams, especially if they're Rookies, to achieve the best success...

I believe it takes a lot more than having extra charged batteries to lend to get through the elims to victory... WHAT'S the secret-sauce the _best teams_ employ to get the best results?

Noted.

Michael, I sent you a PM, let me know what you think.

I believe a 'How to Qualify' and a 'How to play in the Elims' cast may be a appropriate.

Originally Posted by Dr Theta

I would be interested in hearing more about the use of weighted objectives tables in early season build planning and other methods of reaching a design decision sans voting. Or how about effective methods in the mentoring process?

We're talking about doing a resource utilization cast, I think we can roll this into that cast.

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

How do you motivate students who just don't care?

Noted.

This is going to be a tough one.

Originally Posted by Brandon_L

This.

And possibly some team organization/structure (although I think you already did this, I can't remember at the moment) stuff. Places/ways to find new good mentors, both technical and non?

Brandon, when you get a chance, talk to me about this. We'd love to talk about finding new mentors, but I want some outside opinions. We've been discussing creating an online resource that can find mentors local to you, but I'm not sure if we'll be able to roll this out before the season starts.

Originally Posted by stundt1

2 questions.

1. How can you keep scouts entertained.

2. How can you upfront the number 1 seed or power house alliance in rebound rumble when you are the 8th seed and can't outscore them ?

See Karthik's post later in this thread, I don't believe we can top that.

Originally Posted by EricLeifermann

In the wake of the 71 issue how about a topic of diversification of sponsors.

Noted.

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256

This times infinity. Also, how do you motivate mentors and sponsors who aren't feeling the FIRST fever?

Noted.

Originally Posted by pwnageNick

Team organizational structure. Students, Coaches, Mentors, Parents included.

-Nick

Definitely a good one, Noted.

Originally Posted by rsisk

Deep dive into batteries. They are still a mystery to me. How do they work. How to keep them ready for use, how to store them over the summer.

Sisk, good idea. Batteries are still a bit of a black art. We'll need to reach out to some specialists, but it's definitely a worthwhile cast.

Originally Posted by Karthik

Since this was mentioned a couple of times, I figured I'd chime in. There's some good discussion of that in the Scouting Section of this presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apk_X...ilpage#t=2880s

There are two keys:

1. Instill a team culture that values scouting, and where watching matches is seen as fun. This especially applies for teams where most kids would rather play cards or dance in the stands than watch matches. Lots of ways to do this, but involves the team leadership being excited scouting. People follow their respected leaders.
2. Make it fun.

Thanks Karthik, odds are that this is better advice than we'd be able to give.

Originally Posted by Nick Lawrence

I'd love to do a cast about effective pick list making. (I.E you're the #1 seed at a regional without much depth.)

Or maybe an "Ask EWCP" cast where people call in and ask a panel of EWCPCast members questions.

-Nick

Nick, we'd roll pick list structure into the Elims cast, I think.

As far as an Ask EWCP Cast, I'm sure we can arrange this. Maybe it'll take the place of our Pre-Kickoff nostalgia cast.

Originally Posted by Gregor

And how to rank second pick teams specifically.

Noted, we may roll this into an Elims cast.

Originally Posted by nick_sheets

I loved the cast on "Behind AndyMark"

Is there a chance you could get other companies such as: WCP - Team221 - CrossTheRoad to talk about what they are working on and what their goals are. Or something along those lines. We bought stuff from all three vendors last year. All were easy to work with and had solid products.

This shouldn't be a problem. I will reach out to RC (member of EWCP) and see if he's on board. We'll also contact some other vendors and see if we can make something happen.

Thanks for all of the feedback guys, it's great!