[Chris/Fish]

A few gleamed from 449's experiences

-Should you decide to not secure your battery, make sure it doesn't fall on the main breaker and turn off the robot (actually happened)

-don't store stuff on/in the robot before a match. If you forget to take it out...well, a flashlight jammed up our drivetrain once. We use headlamps now.

-A very important one: a) Have a first-aid kit and b) know where it is

-on a related topic, you might want a mini fire extinguisher (thanks 75). You probably won't need it, but if you do, you'll really need it.

-the crazy ideas sometimes work.

-have replacement parts for everything. Remember, "the only difference between something that might break and something that absolutely won't break is that the part that absolutely won't break is impossible to get at and repair." Douglas Adams (something to this effect)

-when talking to judges: be enthusiastic, but stay coherent. Having a designated spokesperson helps

-Make sure your scouts are your team representatives for alliance picking. They will know who to pick; drivers usually only see their own matches.

-if you are borrowing button making equipment, make sure the owners know that it will be used heavily ("the blade is dull! how many buttons did you make? A thousand?" "uh...yeah. Or more")

-Have a lot of fun