[IKE]

I really like Basel's post. Formulating team goals IMO is crucial.

Would you have an option of attending a different event? The reason I ask this is it appears your team historically attends the same 60+ team event. This means that you need to be in the top 1/3 (sort of) to compete in Elims.

With the last 8 picks often going to very special strategy, I try to recommend through MCC threads targeting to be a "top 16" team at an event. With 64 teams, this would be top quartile (top 25%) vs. say a 40 team event that would be top 40%. Obviously there is a pretty good chunk of difference there.

For teams that seem to fall around the average or slightly below average performance, this is often due to poor execution of design or synthesis. usually the poor execution comes from Biting off more than you can chew. Hence my discussion on MCC.

This year, if you do a chassis that is properly geared with 8" pneumatic tires, and the ability to score in the low goal 4 cycles a match, you would be top 25% for most regionals and districts that have occurred so far. You likely will not win an event, but definitely would be playing in elims, and likely doing very well. 6086 in Michigan is a great example of this.

I am a firm believer that to go from OK to good, or being competitive, this is the second step after goals. If you follow this, you will become more competitive and have measured success. Success breeds excitement and and enthusiasm which in turn can turn to passion which is necessary for future growth needed to turn good to great.

If there is a very good or great team nearby, you could also humbly ask them to work with you for a year or two. While this is often a "rookie thing", I believe that it can be a good experienced thing too. I know of several programs here in Michigan that sought the advice/help of those doing very well, and improved their programs. One such program went from playing 1 QF round out of about 6 events in 2008 & 2009 to Einstein last year. They went from being a sometimes 3rd to a solid third partner to a top 16 to a top 8 to a top 4 to arguably the best in the state last year. Their story is incredibly inspirational for me. If you can't figure out who I am talking about, send me a PM.