Discs Bounce Out of Goals

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Alpha Beta

Several teams have noted that goals with a back and chains behave quite a bit differently than the open holes suggested in the low cost field diagrams.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=13
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...11&postcount=6
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...77&postcount=2

We can confirm those concerns. We have observed that a direct hit on a chain will drop a disc into the goal, but as the chains start to swing on successive shots (or if a shot hits between two strands of chain) it is quite easy to get them to bounce back out. By suggesting in the low cost field diagrams that teams build goals without chains and a hard backstop to test with many teams have been set-up for an unpleasant surprise when nearly 50% of their shots are rejected.

Is this just part of the design challenge or will FIRST modify the field set-up to help discs be retained in the goals? It reminds me of the surprise last year (2012) that led FIRST to flipping the polycarbonate over under the bridges. It also reminds me of 2010 when FIRST modified the penalties associated with a design constraint after it proved detrimental to game play. Looking forward to our week one event in Lubbock to see how the real goals behave.

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In 2010 FIRST removed the penalties for having a soccer ball go under the robot after week 1 events when penalties dominated many mid-level teams' performances. Appears to be a case where the design challenge was clearly given but enforcing it proved detrimental to the overall event.
(http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=84091)

2012 is the first time I remember FIRST changing the field design after a week 1 event to help out the teams who couldn't work with the polycarbonate under the Bridge. Part of the problem was the polycarbonate was not part of the low cost field suggested by FIRST and while some teams designed a mechanism to reach under the bridge to get the balls, having the majority of the balls stuck out of play and disabling the bridges was a big deal for teams who didn't plan for it.

In 2006 this was also an issue. FIRST did not modify anything and instead said that it was just part of the game challenge.

[Mr. 1033]

I agree this is an issue and also agree we wont see anything change on it.

I'd recommend lowering the speed of your shooter and going for closer shots.

Good post to bring to everyone's attention though.

[Willyspu]

Hmmm, now we have to spend more $ to buy chains for testing.

[mwmac]

Sounds like an argument in favor of floor pickup

[jspatz1]

Originally Posted by Mr. 1033

I'd recommend lowering the speed of your shooter and going for closer shots.

We are experiencing this issue with relatively close shots, in and around the pyramid. We have found closer shots at a higher angle are even more of a problem.

[Mr. 1033]

Are you going straight on towards the goals or at an angle?

We found the more speed and spin on the disc increased this issue.

If a linear shooter:
Try adding a flywheel or motorized wheel to the opposite side of your shooter wheels.

We did this and got a repeatable shot with less spin.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

In 2006 this was also an issue. FIRST did not modify anything and instead said that it was just part of the game challenge.

That's true.
At least some teams could have it go right back into their hopper and cycle it back in 2006.

Kind of hard this year to do. We didnt make our goals with the chain, and I hope we dont have the same issues as well.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by waialua359

That's true.
At least some teams could have it go right back into their hopper and cycle it back in 2006.

Kind of hard this year to do. We didnt make our goals with the chain, and I hope we dont have the same issues as well.

When we saw the speed the frisbees were attaining we had our field build crew make us at least one goal that is as close to field spec as possible. The chains do help but I have a feeling a lot of the longer range shooters are going to bounce back out.