1. Read the rule book and know what you can do, when you can do it, and where you can go.
2. Be proactive about match strategy, don't try to do it all in the queuing line. See if you can get your partners in the upcoming match to discuss strategy with you beforehand so it is not rushed and you make sure you go into each match with the best chances.
3. Focus on how all three robots on your alliance in qualifications can complement each other to best win the match. If this means you are not playing the role you would like to be playing every match, so be it. Wins over ego.
4. Be honest about your capabilities and don't bite off more than you can chew. If a mechanism isn't working let your partners know. Find something you are good at and can do consistently, not only will you be more attractive to those picking alliances, you may win more qualifications because of it.
5. If you are an alliance captain for eliminations make sure you don't just pick teams based on recognizable names or personal preferences. Back it up with data and try to build the alliance that best suits your strategy for winning. Back in 2014 team 254 chose a team who was ranked 43/45 as their first pick for the first alliance and won their regional. (
Central Valley-2014)