[Pendulum^-1]

Originally Posted by Oblarg

- Extensive preseason training, with FRC hardware. The importance of getting the students familiar with the control system, especially, prior to build season is hard to overstate. Mechanically, if the students do not have any experience with machining and/or construction, you really must get tools and parts in their hands. There is no substitute for experience and familiarity.
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I say double down on what Eli said here. Do this NOW.

If possible, get with an existing team before the kickoff. Work with the hardware.

Read the basic technical manuals on FIRST's FRC site.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...ical-Resources
Don't necessarily memorize the manuals, but know the major components, what they do, and at least know where a point of information is when you need it.

You will have to learn and know how to use the control system before you can use it. Every hour you spend learning it before kickoff is an hour you do not have to spend doing it after kickoff. You will need all those hours, trust me.

Team 4464 did a lot of that work that Eli cites before the season started. They started in early November, as I recall. They qualified for St Louis.