[Paul Copioli]

I have read all of the posts and I pretty much agree with some small parts of posts, but in general disagree with most posting here. Why? Let me explain.

This game is about the little things. Here are the sum of little things that I think you must have mastered by the Championship to be on Einstein.

Teamwork & Strategy:
This game is about teamwork and fluid strategy, more so than every other game in the 3 v. 3 era, including Aim High. Compared to last year when the drive coach was a glorified cheer leader, this year's game is a game where crafty coaches and talented drivers will make a big difference ... but not the only difference.

Super Cells
I can't believe how many people just don't get it. There are so many teams that do not use the super cell. There are 60 points per alliancethat teams are leaving on the table consistently. An average volume scoring alliance can beat a massive volume scoring team if they effectively use the super cell.

Robot to Human Interaction
This is the most neglected part of this game by teams. I often hear people say, "humans outscore robots" or, "if your robot can't score as much as a human player, don't bother". The ability for an alliance to use robots to lure trailers to strategic points on the field is a huge weapon to have in your arsenal and the ability for skilled human players to lure trailers to robots is just as powerful. I see barely any teams doing this.

Smart Human Player
Notice I did not say accurate human player. If you have a human player that is not very accurate, but really smart, then you can use this to your advantage. If they are both, then look out. I will take a smart human player that is a little less accurate than a laser accurate human player that makes dumb decisions.

If you are a massive power dumper that can puke 20+ balls at one time, or are a strategic shooter that can strafe on the run, then good for you but you better get some more tools in your arsenal because that will not be enough to be the best. Who's better? Shooters or dumper? I don't care because there is a way to win with any combination. In this year more than any that I can remember, average robots with excellent execution will beat out excellent robots with average execution.

What we should be doing a trade study on is what strategies work in what situations, but that may get way too complicated.