[Mike Schreiber]

Everyone's summarized it pretty well.

Know who you're talking to. Pit students usually don't care how good your team is because they don't have any idea what the pick list looks like and they won't be watching your matches. The priority for them is making sure the robot performs. They'll usually be polite about it, but you're wasting your time and theirs. Ask who the scouting lead is and where you can find them.

If you're in the middle of the serpentine you're already doing something right. You won't move up by selling yourself to teams at the event. The top teams know who you are and what you can do. You're not one of the first few picks because you're not the best robot. Make a good pick list and figure out how to beat the top seeded teams since your 3rd robot is way better than theirs. CarNack made his prediction for a reason.

Be honest when they look at your robot. They have the data and know if you're lying to them. They won't pick you for what you say you can do. Prove it.

They don't always know or care where you're ranked. Play smart, play the role your alliance needs, be willing to adapt to the situation that occurs. You'll get noticed.