[skrussel]

Hey Bill,

Good Question. Your team may want to decide how they'll play the game BEFORE they start talking robot design. It is therefore important that your design group know the game rules and restrictions backward and inside out. {As you probably know, a surprising number of team members don't make reading about the game a priority} A long hard discussion about all the possible permutations - all the scoring possibilities, all the 'traps' you may get into, and every possible aspect of the game should take place. Critique all your choices constructively, looking for strengths and weaknesses. Easy to say, hard to do. No magic. No single answer.

With your game strategy in place, choose machine designs based on how much engineering support and student commitment you have. Any number of designs can and will win, some with luck, but if your strategy works, and your robot does what you tell it to do consistently, you'll do well. Again, easy to say, hard to do.

One last comment.....your drivers will be a key factor in the outcome of your season. I have seen great drivers win with an average robot, and poor drivers lose with a great robot. Drivers need to be "strategy-smart", extremely well-versed in the game, able to adapt to anything happening on the field calmly. Some drivers may be fabulous looking in practice, but if they allow unexpected events during competition to mess with their heads, then they are not the right drivers. If your drivers don't want to listen to your field coach, then they are not the right drivers. Sometimes, the "most obvious" drivers will not the the best drivers.