[Tom Line]

Robustness. One breakdown can and will cost you an event. Which means you need to drive your robot before you bag it. Teams that consistently do well in early season events are the ones that practice driving and find the large bugs in their robot before they get to the first event.

Focus. If you're fighting with some mechanism at the competition and can't seem to get it working - stop. Just don't use it. For instance, we fought with our climber for most of states. As a result, we were always rushing and small things were missed. This hurt our overall performance significantly.

Routine. In everything you do. Have one or two people who always pack the trailer. One or two people who always handle the driver station. One or two people who always do the batteries. When other folks get 'helpful' and try to do things, they get missed or messed up. Stick to your jobs. When everyone performs you'll do well.

Checklists. What must be done before the robot leaves the pits. What must be done when the robot it placed on the field. When should the robot be powered up.

Delegate. Everyone should have their job before they get to the competition. Sorting things out once you get there is difficult.

Verify. One person should be making sure that everyone else gets their responsibilities done.

To summarize: Plan.