|
Re: [YMTC]: Robot Ability
Regards to the original thread:
Offensive all the way. Not only is this game better when played with 3 offensive robots *cough*, showing that they have the ability will influence other teams' scouting reports for sure. Everyone knows that they can play great defense already, why not throw mediocre ringing in there too? Who knows, the elimination alliance they're on might have picked them for their defense with the option to score if needed. In this game, being able to do both makes you very appealing.
Regards to where the thread seems to have gone:
Adults vs. Students: It doesn't matter if you've got Andy Baker with his whiteboard or little Susie from across the block, all that matters is how well that person knows the game. If little Susie spends all day reviewing the rulebook and watching match videos, she may be better than an adult in a similar position. One of the best pre-match strategy sessions for us on Friday (in my opinion) was with 1126 and their awesome student coach. He knew more about strategy than a lot of the adult coaches had during the day, and by the time the match came we had a flawless plan. The match itself was lost due to unforeseeable circumstances, but that's not the point.
Democracy vs dictatorship: For those of you saying "well the veteran team ordered us to do things we didn't want," you need to stand up for yourself and say "I believe we can do this better, it would probably be more beneficial for the match if you let us do this" because if the veteran strategist knows anything about what they're doing, they'll use every robot on the team to their full ability. If they came in with the idea that team X is going to score middle on the far side, and team X is actually much more comfortable (and better) playing defense, that might be what wins the match (being good at one thing, not being mediocre at another). I find it hard to believe that a FIRST coach would refuse to let a robot do what they're good at.
Whatever you do, don't just switch strategies on your own without the whole alliance adjusting the idea as a whole. If something happens and you feel the need to play defense or ring somewhere different or whatever, tell the other coaches. [shameless plug] Whenever I hear Paul say "agh this isn't working, try going to the other side" it's immediately followed by "hey guys we're going to the far side, don't bother defending the front anymore" or "try and move the row back there and we'll connect" or something like that. I've also heard the opposite, "hey our arm just broke, we've gotta switch to defense" "okay we'll fill in your row." it can be fixed, if your teammates know what you're doing. Too many times have I gone back to review the video of a lost match, only to see that team Y didn't even attempt to do what was discussed in the pre-match meeting. What's the point in discussing it if you're just going to ignore it?
*breathe*
__________________
VEX Robotics Marketing Manager
ThunderChicken driver '07-'08
Robowrangler '13-present
FIRST in Michigan, VEX Worlds, and FIRST in Texas MC/Game Announcer '08-present
|