[SkitzoSmurf]

Lucien,

I think that a practice field within the pits in nats would be absolutely fantastic. Do I dare say maybe even a couple due to the size of nationals? I think there should be some basic rules to the fields, like safety glasses at all times, and no working on robot within the field, but it would be great. I think it would be best if tethers were not a necessity however, but just an idea. Let me attempt to think of 10 good reasons.

1. Behind the scenes view for spectators, (YOINK!!!)
2. Less Dangerous to test the robot. I know that our robot has some powerful pneumatic wings and when we had problems, hooking them up was very dangerous, because if they flew out, people could get a nice smack. So I'm sure were not the only team, but it would be less dangerous to test certain robot features.
3. Autonomous Programming - A team that isn't quite sure of their autonomous programming doesnt want to have to wait until an actual match to see if it works. On the practice field it would enable to teams to perfect these programs, leading to a better competition.
4. Human Player Practice - Sorry, but many people overlook the human players, and they need credit. They should be able to practice in realistic settings.
5. Driving Practice - Certain teams with complicated drive trains could spend the whole 6 weks building and working on the robot, without any actual driving practice. This would enable teams to practice, once again leading to a better competition.
6. Pre-Match practice - A team who has a strategy for qualification rounds would most likey like to test the settings. You can talk and scheme all you would like to, but its the actual running of the robot that matters, if teams could collaborate and practice with eachother prior to matches, it could once again lead to a better competition.
7. Crowding of the pits - While in the pits at ANY competition the pits can get VERY crowded. If teams are scouting you, and you just want to be left alone, because ur working on something very important, rather than just be unavailable, you could tell the team member your practice time, and they can see for themselves what ur robot's about.
8. Custom Activities - some teams have had little competitions or tests during nationals. One thing that I remember from last year is the traction test given by the SPAM team, they had to set up outside, and I think had to use asphalt for it, giving them a better facilitation area would be great
9. JUDGING - If somehow a team could incorporate a time where judges would come to see their robot in action while being interviewed it would be fantastic. Like if your robot has a special feature, a demonstration might be better than an interview. As your robot performs a task you can talk of the components used, how u did it, why u did it and so forth. This would be too kool.
10. Team Photos - Some of the best phtographs i have ever seen come from a FIRST event. the photo documents your time during a competition. Sometimes winning alliances are able to use the playing field for photos, but I have never seen other award winners use it, or semifinalists, I think this would be fantastic. I would love to see more photos
And just in case that isnt good enough, heres a BONUS
WERE BEGGING YOU!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !!!!

I came up with the reasons why, some one else come up with how to make it fair, TEAMWORK PEOPLE!!!
-Talon