Human Player Skills?

[jblay]

We are in the process of figuring out who our human player will be for this season. We evaluated a few important skills that this person should have, but I am concerned we are missing something. I figured a CD thread where everyone mapped out what skills the human player should and could have would help not only us, but every team that saw it before they figured out who their human player will be.

The skills we came up with:
-Being able to coach partners when nothing else is going on for them
-Running from the pedestal to the load in area
-Ability to throw the ball into a robot with accuracy (if our robot can catch that kind of a throw)

[KMeyers]

It seems to me that the human player should be fairly tall so that they could stop balls from leaving the field in order to prevent fouls

[lethc]

Long arms would be good for the same reason that KMeyers stated, and the fact that you have extended reach over the field so that you can drop the ball into a robot that isn't right next to the wall.

The HP should also be smart about when/how they put the ball in play. For example, make sure that the path you're going to roll the ball is clear of other robots.

[2789_B_Garcia]

G11 says you can pass to the human players...I wonder how this will play out strategically...

[markmcgary]

Originally Posted by lethc

Long arms would be good for the same reason that KMeyers stated, and the fact that you have extended reach over the field so that you can drop the ball into a robot that isn't right next to the wall.

Should you be concerned about this?

3.2.7.10 G40
TEAMS may not extend any body part into the FIELD during the MATCH.
Violation: TECHNICAL FOUL.

[mechlectrician7]

Im still confused about this passing to human player thing.....so a robot can throw a ball to the human player....but would that not be "ejecting the ball from the field"? And even if it wasn't, why would i want to? I guess i just don't understand it what so ever.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by mechlectrician7

Im still confused about this passing to human player thing.....so a robot can throw a ball to the human player....but would that not be "ejecting the ball from the field"? And even if it wasn't, why would i want to? I guess i just don't understand it what so ever.

My best guess is so you can pass around a defender.

[lethc]

Originally Posted by markmcgary

Should you be concerned about this?

True, forgot about this rule. I guess that means that every pass in will have to be a toss. Thank you!

[Nemo]

I think the #1 most important job of the human player is to not commit technical fouls. In the excitement of an intense match, it would be really easy to momentarily forget to stay completely behind the plane of the field while you're passing to a robot. The human player needs to be somebody who has the presence of mind to remember that even when the adrenaline gets going.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by lethc

Long arms would be good for the same reason that KMeyers stated, and the fact that you have extended reach over the field so that you can drop the ball into a robot that isn't right next to the wall.

The HP should also be smart about when/how they put the ball in play. For example, make sure that the path you're going to roll the ball is clear of other robots.

The human players in the separate stations will need to read the field and their coach well enough to know how and when to handle assists via human player. Basically, when a bot tosses me a ball, how, when and to whom do I toss it? I suspect this will be fairly clear in most cases (immediately in the other close robot's "basket"), but given the cost of messing it up this year, the distance from the alliance station, the ease of technical fouls, the potential defense, and the supreme importance of time, it's still certainly a critical position. There are also more complicated strategic cases that require more complex reading/timing/etc.

Skills:
- stay calm and focused
- know the rules ( = no fouls)
- understand the strategic issues
- be easy to work with ...particularly I like my HPs to work with their alliance counterparts not just on how to deal with our robot, but also checking they know the rules and grasp overall smart HP play. Must be a good, friendly, humble teacher/checker.
- good hand/eye coordination and robustness -- be careful! these balls can pack a punch

HP is often the least complex position on our drive team, but it's usually the one I expect the most maturity out of--they need to be independently compotent and responsible enough to handle their own business and stay on task even when it's "boring".

[AllenGregoryIV]

There is also a case to be made for somebody with strength. Trying to get a ball cross field might be necessary and they aren't easy to throw that far.

First one to do a front flip soccer style throw in while staying in their zone wins a prize.