[Alavinus]

Getting back to VCU, I was a volunteer/ spectator for the day and this is what I saw:

First off- a little mini-rant <rant> Please read the FIRST manual. We, (the inspectors) are going by the sheet and what we know from the manual, along with general updates given at the competition. If an Inspector makes a simple request, like taping all electrical connectors, please comply. We are trying to make sure your robot is safe, we are not being mean. The majority of teams were accomodating but there were a few that tried to bend the rules. I don't want this to turn into a intent debate, but please if it is in the manual- you WILL be held accountable. Just because your design works, or you think it is safe, if it is against the rules it will be disallowed.

Secondly, I know that it is an old call, but please have a memeber of your team at inspection that has read the rules and tried to make the robot comply with them. When I tell you that a CIM motor can not be hooked up to a spike "I know" is not an answer I want to hear.

In conclusion, the inspectors are your friends. Hate the sizing box, Hate the scale, love the inspectors. We don't bite. Really. </rant>

Now for how VCU went: keeping in mind that this was practice, many teams did not have a working autonomous. The teams that did were rare but there was more then one. Also, hanging and small ball control are looking to be pretty important. The herders were having issues with the being able to get the balls to the human player. Some teams had trouble with the lip or just trying to pick out balls to herd (Think shark picking a minnow out of a school).
Very few teams have been able to cap well within the time limit. Also, the successful hangers were rare. Most teams are still attempting to drive around and get those kinks out. The teams that could hang hung very well. We will have to see, but it is looking like small ball control and hanging are important.