[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by FriendzonedJim

...Thus, we are planning for it to start straight up, and then all we need to do is rotate it down a certain amount at the beginning of the match and leave it there...

This is not a programming tip exactly. Unless your pickup is much more rugged than I think it might be, driving around with it extended is somewhat like leading with your chin in boxing. Having the pickup extend only when directly involved with the ball was deemed highly desirable for the preservation of the pickup frame. YMMV.