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Posted by Andrew Trax, Coach on team #180, S.P.A.M., from Southfork,Martin Co. High and UTC.

Posted on 5/8/99 4:04 AM MST


In Reply to: defense---not exactly kicking back... posted by Daniel on 5/8/99 2:25 AM MST:



'The game structure this year allowed drivers to incorporate a high level
of strategy ranging from offence, to the defense that I so often praise
on these forums.'

I disagree. When the seeding is based soley on points you have to play
an offensive game to stay high in the rankings. Playing defensively
sometimes kept the point total low for all four teams playing. All four,
therefore, usually took a 'lose' in rank even with the 3X multiplier. The
matches were exciting to watch. But not always the BEST strategy to stay
well ranked. You didn't go into a match against just one team. You were
up against all the teams - for points.
I think it was done intentionally to keep teams 'on task' - scoring
points and making the robots do what they were assigned to do rather than
spending a whole match blocking.
Granted, defensive play was required; keeping the puck on your own side of
the field, blocking sides of the puck to keep other robots off of it, etc.
But, defensive play was not always rewarded.
And I've thought long and hard and cannot think of a professional
sport where rankings are determined by points per game rather than wins per
season. Baseball, football, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, tennis, auto racing,
horse racing; all are ranked/seeded by wins.
Keep the scoring as diverse as possible. It only adds to the action and
challenge of the game. But base rankings on wins and let defense be rewarded.

Mts. Trax