[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

It was... interesting. Many things have changed since them, not just the game. Get this:

This was back when teams did not know who their alliance partners were for the upcoming qualification matches. For instance, you knew that you were in match 61 or 62, but not exactly which one. So, this meant that you had to scout and pre-plan with 7 other teams for that match, not just 3.

The field quers would bring 8 teams into a corral, and then they would look at their secret match sheet and pull 4 of you ahead for the upcoming match. At that point, you had about 4-5 minutes to plan the entire match.

This was back when 2 coaches were allowed for each team.

Needless to say, this 4-5 minute strategy planning session did not always go as teams wanted it to. On the field, only 1 team could physically balance the bridge... but all 4 teams might have wished to show that they could do it.

There was much debate. Stronger personalities (and louder people) were heard, and salesmanship had to be put forth in order for your team to get the chance for the balance job. Many of these strategy planning sessions got to be arguements, since the pressure was on.

So... at the end of the year, people complained "too many coaches were on the drive teams!"... and "no more adult coaches!" Also, other people complained "why can't you just tell us who our alliance partners are on Friday morning?" In 2002, both changes happened, as only 1 coach was permitted in the box, and we all knew our qualification lineups on Friday morning. Since then, these strategy meetings have gone much smoother. The most important improvement was not the omission of the 2nd coach, but rather the information about which teams you are partnered with.

Andy B.

Baker, don't forget my personal favorite from 2001, the 30 second matches!