Basketball Traditions at FIRST Events

[frasnow]

What basketball traditions do you think we'll see performed this year at FIRST events?

Will teams cut the net?

Will teams have one shining moment in the championship highlight reel?

Will the drivers of a dump-bot go crazy after a monster dunk?

[Jared Russell]

I hope that at least one #1 Seed this year uses this as inspiration for when they make their pick.

[tsakshaug]

YES! cut the net, one for each member of the winning alliance.

[EricH]

Cutting the net... Please don't do that. The field has to go to another event. They really want those nets intact, too!

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by EricH

Cutting the net... Please don't do that. The field has to go to another event. They really want those nets intact, too!

Yeah I was gonna say, I could see it on Einstein but not at regionals

[plnyyanks]

I want to see a drive team do this.

[barn34]

while I see your point, nets are extremely cheap and super simple to replace. It's not like we're talking about shattering the backboard and giving pieces of those away. lol

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by barn34

while I see your point, nets are extremely cheap and super simple to replace. It's not like we're talking about shattering the backboard and giving pieces of those away. lol

The most valuable thing in FIRST is time and as a Field Supervisor I really would not be in the mood to unnecessarily waste fixing something that I shouldn't have repaired in the first place. Especially when there is so much else to do to get the event running. Please don't cut the nets.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by barn34

while I see your point, nets are extremely cheap and super simple to replace.

The nets on the competition field aren't typical nets, are they? They've got that extended "funnel" connection to the alliance wall hole and ball detector.

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

The nets on the competition field aren't typical nets, are they?

Yes they are. They're $5 apiece.

Originally Posted by The Arena section 2.2.4

Lifetime Basketball Net 120gram, model #0790

http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.c...il.aspx?ID=617
http://www.buylifetime.com/products/blt/pid-0790.aspx

[Lil' Lavery]

If a $5 net and the five minutes to replace a net are the only arguments against cutting them, I'm completely unswayed. I really do hope they let the winning alliance cut down the net.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

If a $5 net and the five minutes to replace a net are the only arguments against cutting them, I'm completely unswayed. I really do hope they let the winning alliance cut down the net.

Pretty sure the net gets separated from the chute prior to transporting the field anyways.

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

If a $5 net and the five minutes to replace a net are the only arguments against cutting them, I'm completely unswayed. I really do hope they let the winning alliance cut down the net.

I noted that the net bottoms are connected to the clear plastic tunnels that lead the scored ball to the counter. I didn't examine to see if the connection there were as simple as the hoop to net connection is.

Anyway, perhaps we should be trying to inspire the basketball folks to do things the way we do at FIRST competitions.

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Cory

Pretty sure the net gets separated from the chute prior to transporting the field anyways.

Correct. The net stays attached to the hoop for transport between events. The current field setup guide says:

Inspect the net, replace if damaged.

I think FIRST will frown on cutting the nets. I know the nets only cost $5 but if the winning alliance cuts off 3 nets at every event, thats over $1000 in replacement nets.

[Dan-o]

If anyone is really considering doing this, I suggest buying a net and bringing it to the Regional Field Supervisor. I would offer to install it after the award ceremony if a team wanted to cut it down in celebration. If he says yes, great. If he says no, there's no way I'd mess with the field.

I think a net could be a cool commemorative item for winning teams, but the ultimate focus must be on being respectful towards the field crew who worked so hard to ensure each student had a positive experience.

Just my $0.02