Predictions Week 3: Creating Flow

[NotaJoke]

Originally Posted by Squeakypig

Also, Guerillas and Bedford better watch out for us, we're competing at Detroit!

Detroit had no idea what was coming. Huge props to your drive team, you guys put up some of the most aggressive and game-changing defense I've seen anywhere this season. Awesome job this weekend.

Originally Posted by OZ_341

We could not have won at Springside-Chestnut Hill without the help of Team 225, Tech Fire. This is the first time they have ever been in a regional final in 15 years of play and their teleop points were an incredible 737. This story seems to be a trend with Ultimate Ascent across FIRST.

I was just about to comment about how 225 came out of nowhere to be one of the best robots of the season (thus far,) but you beat me to it! You all had an awesome performance, and another well deserved win.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

When your standards of success are as high as those of RUSH and the Thunder Chickens, just reaching the finals at a single event is a disappointing season. Both 27 and 217 were hoping that 2013 would be better than 2012, but neither managed to get the results they wanted at their first event of the season. We haven't seen the best from either team yet, and there's a chance that either (or both) could be in the winner's circle at St. Joseph's if they can work out the kinks in their machines. They're going to have to catch-up to 2474, as Excel was terrific at Traverse City (#3 seed, 1st pick, and champion).

Originally Posted by nikeairmancurry

217 is not competing this weekend.

Originally Posted by Squeakypig

You are correct, 217 opted out of St. Joseph

We ended up playing with 39 robots. While it would have been exciting to have 217 at St. Joseph this weekend, the field was pretty strong anyway.

Good call on 2474 Excel, Looking Forward. They have a top-class robot and an aggressive drive team. They and 2959 Robotarians will represent the West Coast very well at States. 2000 Rock and 27 Rush made it close -- a shooter jam in the final seconds kept the #2 alliance from completing a three-match upset in the Finals.

Side note: look for Excel to show an interesting high-tilt shot later this season.

[Deetman]

Originally Posted by NotaJoke

I was just about to comment about how 225 came out of nowhere to be one of the best robots of the season (thus far,) but you beat me to it! You all had an awesome performance, and another well deserved win.

On Thursday evening 225 came out on the open field (practice matches but not really practice matches) at Springside-Chestnut Hill and just started nailing the full court shot their first "match". It sure shocked me from the scorekeeper's table. Gotta love the robot name too... "Tyrannosaucer Rex" with the teeth and intimidating eyes on the shooter. If my memory is correct, I don't think they missed a single shot from the feeder station in the last finals match.

Look for teams at Lenape next weekend to move to block their full court shots next week as I believe their shooter exit is a bit below 60 inches.

[moogboy]

Originally Posted by NotaJoke

Detroit had no idea what was coming. Huge props to your drive team, you guys put up some of the most aggressive and game-changing defense I've seen anywhere this season. Awesome job this weekend.

I can't speak for any other teams, but 1701 had NO IDEA what was going to happen at Detroit! We were completely shocked that we finally figured out what to do win a few matches. Great job to everyone!

[NotaJoke]

Originally Posted by moogboy

I can't speak for any other teams, but 1701 had NO IDEA what was going to happen at Detroit! We were completely shocked that we finally figured out what to do win a few matches. Great job to everyone!

A few? Try all but one!

Your consistent full court shooting was super impressive during qualification matches. So impressive, that it forced every single alliance to throw up tall barriers, forcing you (and 314) to learn a whole new strategy of play in just a few matches; the same strategy that 469 had been practicing for the entire duration of the tournament. For the crazy situation, you guys played extremely well.

I strongly believe that had there been less defense, Detroit would have shattered all of the current high scores. Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring! Great job, and good luck!

[moogboy]

Originally Posted by NotaJoke

A few? Try all but one!

Your consistent full court shooting was super impressive during qualification matches. So impressive, that it forced every single alliance to throw up tall barriers, forcing you (and 314) to learn a whole new strategy of play in just a few matches; the same strategy that 469 had been practicing for the entire duration of the tournament. For the crazy situation, you guys played extremely well.

I strongly believe that had there been less defense, Detroit would have shattered all of the current high scores. Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring! Great job, and good luck!

Thank you so much!!! It means a lot to our team, as this was our first appearance in the finals. 314 was an amazing help in the alliance selection process too, and 4838 were awesome to work with, letting us add all kinds of stuff to their robot!

[Jared Russell]

The sheer effectiveness of 225's nearly unblockable full court shooter led to some of the most interesting game dynamics I've seen this season. Once 225 was in position, they could plunk in 90 points worth of discs in about 45 seconds.

Even a perfectly constructed full height blocking device had difficulty getting in just the right spot to deflect their shots (you had to get so close that fouls/technical fouls were just around the corner if you tried to play the blocking game). All of the elimination matches we played became a game of football - 341 and 1495 trying to escort 225 into the "end zone" while the opposition devoted 2 and sometimes all 3 robots to deny access to the feeder station. There were blocks, pins, jukes, spin moves, and even a couple of tackles as the game within the game unfolded.

[Deetman]

Originally Posted by Jared341

The sheer effectiveness of 225's nearly unblockable full court shooter led to some of the most interesting game dynamics I've seen this season. Once 225 was in position, they could plunk in 90 points worth of discs in about 45 seconds.

Even a perfectly constructed full height blocking device had difficulty getting in just the right spot to deflect their shots (you had to get so close that fouls/technical fouls were just around the corner if you tried to play the blocking game). All of the elimination matches we played became a game of football - 341 and 1495 trying to escort 225 into the "end zone" while the opposition devoted 2 and sometimes all 3 robots to deny access to the feeder station. There were blocks, pins, jukes, spin moves, and even a couple of tackles as the game within the game unfolded.

Jared, your drive team's move of just bulldozing 1391(?) out of the way while they were pushing 225 away from the feeder zone was one of the most epic FIRST moments I've seen in person. While there may have not been as much "top end" teams at SCH as say HH in week 1, the elimination matches were top notch and filled with a ton of energy and excitement from all involved.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Jared341

The sheer effectiveness of 225's nearly unblockable full court shooter led to some of the most interesting game dynamics I've seen this season. Once 225 was in position, they could plunk in 90 points worth of discs in about 45 seconds.

Even a perfectly constructed full height blocking device had difficulty getting in just the right spot to deflect their shots (you had to get so close that fouls/technical fouls were just around the corner if you tried to play the blocking game). All of the elimination matches we played became a game of football - 341 and 1495 trying to escort 225 into the "end zone" while the opposition devoted 2 and sometimes all 3 robots to deny access to the feeder station. There were blocks, pins, jukes, spin moves, and even a couple of tackles as the game within the game unfolded.

What made them different than any other (tall?) full court shooter.

Do you have any video?

[pyroslev]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

• After a disappointing quarter-final exit in Palmetto, 2363 is looking to rebound in Virginia. Triple Helix will be among the top competitors in a field that is thinned out by being on the same weekend as North Carolina. 1610 and 1403 will also be in the mix, but the visitors from Connecticut (195) have the potential to be the biggest threat or best ally for Triple Helix. Especially if the Cyber Knights are allowed to find their groove from full court.
• Some of the historically strong teams at the Virginia regional are taking their talents to North Carolina this year. 122, 435, and 1086 will all be players in deciding who takes home gold from Raleigh. Blue Cheese will have the best odds of the bunch, but it will be far from a sure thing.

2363 and 1610, who proudly represented Virginia at Palmetto, put on a great show and some of the best matches when they faced off. 1403, for that 5 disc auto, and 195, for that full court sniping, delivered a great showing to the field each time.

To those regulars not at our Regional, the venue seemed quieter without your voices there. But you guys had good weekends as well. 435, congrats on winning the regional, and 1086, congratulation on the Chairman's.

If the flow of the field was good, the matches were great. I will honestly say save one match, the eliminations at Virginia were some of the best I've ever seen. They also showed that when you play the game, design your alliance to work as a unit and you're facing a similar alliance, everyone wins.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by Gregor

What made them different than any other (tall?) full court shooter.

Do you have any video?

Very tall, and basically launched frisbees with a light lob - just enough to get them to float into the goal, allowing a slightly higher exit angle than most others I've seen. It is certainly possible to block the shots, but this requires a well constructed blocker (they can up the power to 100% and just tear through most hastily constructed blockers) and impeccable positioning. We had 1495 sit right in front of 225 several times in order to give them more horizontal distance for their shots to rise.

They also have a "stinger" that they use to anchor to the floor, so pushing them vicariously through a second robot positioned in front of them (not in the protected area) is not very effective.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Jared341

Very tall, and basically launched frisbees with a light lob - just enough to get them to float into the goal, allowing a slightly higher exit angle than most others I've seen. It is certainly possible to block the shots, but this requires a well constructed blocker (they can up the power to 100% and just tear through most hastily constructed blockers) and impeccable positioning. We had 1495 sit right in front of 225 several times in order to give them more horizontal distance for their shots to rise.

They also have a "stinger" that they use to anchor to the floor, so pushing them vicariously through a second robot positioned in front of them (not in the protected area) is not very effective.

Very cool, I would love to see match video.

I love that so many old vet teams who haven't had a solid season in a long while are getting back into the thick of things this season. Really good to see 225 doing well. At TCNJ, 293 was also doing really well, they haven't exactly had a solid machine since about 2007 or so. 303 also looks to be in much better shape.

[Jaxom]

Originally Posted by Deetman

Look for teams at Lenape next weekend to move to block their full court shots next week as I believe their shooter exit is a bit below 60 inches.

Why weren't teams blocking them this week? What's going to be different in a week that would make blocking more effective than it was yesterday?

[Squeakypig]

It seems as if the full court shooter is making a mark this year. Something that people should know (something I found out last week) is that robot starting configuration does not limit you to 60". You can start 84". You sacrifice the ability to go over half court, but it will shut down any 60" tall full-court shooter. Just food for thought! (credit to 3096, the first team I saw do this to block 910 at Detroit district).

Our "Plan B+" attachment is mounted to our hanging hooks and starts at 60" tall and when we extend our hooks is at 66" tall. Not quite 84" but more than 60". We use plywood with a strong fabric in between. Some people thought they could just shoot till it tore. Well it did tear, but never all the way. Remember, you don't have to stuff the shot, just tap it, redirect it a tiny bit, anything to take it off track.

[OZ_341]

A full court shooter is defendable. We just took full advantage of the learning curve that teams must go through. Teams simply had not completely thought it out, nor did they have much time to prepare. So they tried to defend by brute force. It almost worked. But our strong partnership and excellent drive teams held tight against onslaught.