The 6 Week Build Season and 'Mentor Burnout'

[Chief Hedgehog]

I don't think this discussion going anywhere. I think we have a great system thus far. But let's expand on two options:

Option 1
For those opting for a more 'equal footing' for all teams I would suggest this:
1. Pre-determined build time (whether it be 6 weeks or 9 weeks).
2. Bag and Tag until your first Regional/District.
3. Inspect and weigh robot at registration; no allowance for additions there forth.
4. Compete with the robot as is.
5. Your first regional/district is your Championship Qualifier. Bar None.

Option 2
For those opting for no bag and tag:
1. Release next years game at the conclusion of Championships
2. All teams have equal amount of time to design and build.
3. Can qualify at any number of regionals, no need for wildcards.
4. This allows for nearly 10 months of build time.

From what I understand, FIRST is not about equality or fairness, it is about honing talent, gathering resources, and meeting deadlines. As a secondary teacher, I can attest to the sad reality that our students know nothing about hard deadlines. If FIRST is to make a ruling between the two aforementioned systems (because if we keep arguing, we will end up on one of the two sides), I am for the strict deadline.

I love the current system where a team still has the opportunity to create a bot that is unique but still has the ability to adopt and adapt. If FRC chooses one of the two aforementioned options, we are going to end up with robots that are either inconsistent (option 1), or are all the same (option 2).

Have at my arguments, I am also a wrestling and soccer coach and have thus thickened my skin.

Good Luck!