[billbo911]

Originally Posted by JVN

Hi Everyone,
As FIRST teams around the world are all beginning their design processes, I thought I'd post a few tips from our team to yours...

Today's tip is simple: READ!

Get your entire team together, and read through the "key" sections of the manual together as a team. (We usually focus on the Game, Tournament, Robot, and Arena sections). Have your lead engineer, head teacher, or team captain go through these sections OUT LOUD -- as they read, have them try to paraphrase the rules into very common language. Discuss the possible reasons the GDC included the rule, try to find the "root intent" of each rule: "Why do you think they put a 60" extension limitation in?" As you're going along -- write down any questions you have on the rules to be answered later (either by re-reading the manual, or by asking on the official FRC Q&A).

This seems like such a simple thing, but it is INCREDIBLY effective. By reading the entire manual as a team, you'll ensure that every single team member has a basic understanding of the rules. If you don't know the rules, how can you figure out what to build?

As always... good luck in 2011!

Originally posted here:
http://jvengineering.blogspot.com/20...-tip-read.html

Very sage advice John, thank you!

The Game rules section is less than a dozen pages long, as is the Robot rules section. If this is all you read today, it will give you enough to start. Although, do not neglect to read the entire game manual as soon as possible.