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Unread 01-05-2010, 18:27
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Travis Hoffman Travis Hoffman is offline
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FRC #0048 (Delphi E.L.I.T.E.)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: Warren, Ohio USA
Posts: 4,047
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Re: Thoughts on CoOpertition

Quote:
Originally Posted by rick.oliver View Post
Travis made a point that I hadn't considered. I am inferring from his comments, perhaps incorrectly, teams that unsuccessfully or less efficiently solve the "challenge" are having their experience diminished by discouraging defensive play. He also points out (and I agree) that there is value in being tested by defensive play during the qualification matches.
You infer correctly.

The long term goal should always be to get better at completing the offensive challenges, but if the short term reality for a team is that their robot is better suited to play defense, then they should stand up for their right to play it in a match, taking full consideration of their partner and opponent strengths before making the decision.

Just because the seeding rules mathematically dictate that sitting there twiddling your thumbs after pressing the e-stop button or struggling to score with a malfunctioning or nonexistent system will *benefit* your seed rank; it doesn't mean that is the most enjoyable and satisfying activity for that team to tackle for a given match; regardless of what anyone else thinks they should do.

I find it odd that if the qualifying seeding system is indeed effective in determining which teams best execute the *full* game "challenge", it seems contradictory that they give out the Champion and Finalist Awards to those who successfully complete the *elimination* round game challenge, where the seeding system is thrown out the window in exchange for additional gameplay mechanics which showcase all aspects of the robot design challenge - elegance and scoring efficiency, yes, but also robustness, toughness, and the ability to remain elegant and efficient in offensive performance even under duress, when real-time strategizing and communicating among teammates becomes even more critical to a team's success.

To me, keeping the seeding system, while getting rid of 6v0 and scoring for opponent scenarios, combined with the notion that injecting more elimination-style matchups into qualifying is not the end of the world, would do well to synchronize the disconnect between qualifying and elims, and make the whole shebang a lot more sensible and enjoyable affair for all teams in the field, top to bottom, as well as the people in the seats.
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Travis Hoffman, Enginerd, FRC Team 48 Delphi E.L.I.T.E.
Encouraging Learning in Technology and Engineering - www.delphielite.com
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