Zone or Man Defense?

[Canon reeves]

Which kind of defense could you see being dominant at competitions? The advantage to zone is you don't have to travel much for an assist, but if you had a really good defender on your team would it be worth not getting that third assist every time for you defender to stop the other team? We figured a robot with a 5' blocker that can also catch would do really well against lower shooters, so would it be better for that robot to focus on catching or stopping their opponents offense?

[Justin Shelley]

I can't speak for your robot but I am inclined to believe that teams who block shots with their robot are going to experience problems such as tipping over and parts breaking

[Canon reeves]

very true, last year we saw several blockers with just pvc extensions fall. If the blocker was good and not tipsy, do you think it would be worth sparing those extra assist points?

[Justin Shelley]

If your blocker is capable of taking a hit from a ball at full speed then by all means go for it. I am a strong believer in Defense but I see the majority of defense this year being played on assist points. If you can be one of the few who can stop shot balls then that would set you apart from the others

[Canon reeves]

Alright, thank you! So do you think a match would basically look like organized chaos since there are only two balls on the field?

[Edxu]

I personally think that because ball defense is going to be difficult to play this year, with possession being kinda sketchy, I believe that robot-robot defense will be more effective than playing defense on the ball.

[Justin Shelley]

Originally Posted by Canon reeves

Alright, thank you! So do you think a match would basically look like organized chaos since there are only two balls on the field?

I think this will be the case for many qualification matches but in eliminations it should look like an assembly line the main problem is going to be alliance partners who are overconfident with their abilities and slow down the rest of the alliance.

[Canon reeves]

I think the matches with basically 6 boxes on wheels will be very interesting! I could definitely see a fast paced cycle in the eliminations. I'm wondering how much stopping power does one robot really have compared to 3 good robots? I feel like a blocker could shut down defense, but keeping from clogging the flow would be interesting. I'm wondering if we will see a strategy of one robot carries and two block for them and they pass off as they go along?

[IVAN]

my bet is zone will be the primary style of D

though if you are operating with mechanum the ball D may be feasible

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Justin Shelley

I can't speak for your robot but I am inclined to believe that teams who block shots with their robot are going to experience problems such as tipping over and parts breaking

I disagree here.

Most shooters I've seen are ri3d style and shoot from a 3' height. A 5' robot in front of them can effectively block that shot, and with a little structure, won't have to worry about damage.

... And as far as man vs zone defense ... I believe that while most will play some sort of zone defense, the most effective defenders will be playing man defense and attempting to lock the ball inside a poor performing robot.

[IVAN]

Its going to be very interesting on how this pans out especially during the week one events will it be more efficient to have a one man run and gun with two team members playing zone defense or on the other hand will we be seeing a more slow passed passing game between the robots more points per score but less time playing D....

[Canon reeves]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

I disagree here.

Most shooters I've seen are ri3d style and shoot from a 3' height. A 5' robot in front of them can effectively block that shot, and with a little structure, won't have to worry about damage.

... And as far as man vs zone defense ... I believe that while most will play some sort of zone defense, the most effective defenders will be playing man defense and attempting to lock the ball inside a poor performing robot.

Blocking a robot with a shooter that is 3' high would be even easier if you have that blocker extend 20" into over their robot? We are using just pvc and some door hinges to bracket and haven't had any problems yet, as long as we are slowing the ball's trajectory we are happy, we want the ball to go as far away as possible then keep them from getting the ball.
I almost feel like ball defense might be very successful, meaning basically whoever has the ball you defend and slow progress down as much as possible. You would expect the opposing alliance to focus on you. Causing your two members to advance down the field?
Imagine what a match with 3 good shooting robots, against three basically box on wheels robots? the 3 box on wheels robots actually have a good chance to slow down the other alliance quite a bit! I can imagine we will see several matches that are just major clogs most of the time. Then to get out of this one robot would pass the ball in the air causing everyone to go after it. Basically being one big mess, that would definitely be interesting!

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

... And as far as man vs zone defense ... I believe that while most will play some sort of zone defense, the most effective defenders will be playing man defense and attempting to lock the ball inside a poor performing robot.

Why do you have to play man defense to do that?

[wendells]

Canon, a very sensible post........you are thinking.........

[wendells]

Canon, you may need to reinforce your drive system with 1/2 diameter aluminum between the drive train because that 1/8 aluminum can bend very easily if you are playing defense