[Paul Copioli]

At Finger Lakes I was surprised to see that most of the teams went to the human loader. We were one of the few teams that always went to the auto loader (229 also went exclusively to the auto loader). Many teams got pretty fast at the human loader, but the auto load robots were still faster (exception was 1507 which was a very fast human loader).

Stacking fast was definitely the key. In a few matches, the ability to stack over four tetras on the center goal was important but it was definitely not the norm.

237 had, by far, the coolest auto mode. They consistently got to the vision tetra (if a partner wasn't in their way). They were about 70% in grabbing the tetra they way they wanted and 70-80% in getting to the goal. Their trouble was they would get too close to the goal and actually place the tetra under the goals. I am confident they will get it working by their next regional.

Getting the hangers gave teams an advantage in the finals because they owned most of their row before human control started. The best combinations had two hangers down and the center ready to cap right at the beginning of human control.

I am now convinced that 3 good stackers can beat 2 great stackers and a pure defensive robot (I wish I had this revelation Saturday morning). The latter strategy works great in qualifying, but in the elimination rounds 3 stackers is the best way.

As far as damage: all the robots at Finger Lakes were exceptionally reliable and no alliance used a spare robot that I recall. We took minimal cosmetic damage and some bent wheels.


The end zone strategy was not used that much by the top teams. Stacking at the last minute seemed to have more of an impact.

-Paul