Advice for a Rookie Team

[2348humanplayer]

Here's my personal suggestion after 4 years of competition

1) As soon as you get the match schedule, highlight each of your matches, paying attention to which alliance you're on. There has been many a time that our team nearly missed a match because we were too engrossed in practicing, and it's always a mess finding the bumpers. Keep them in a clear area, and keep the match listing posted somewhere everyone can see it. My suggestion is on the pole that your team number is based on.

2) Bring ALL your tools if possible. Or at least the major ones, as well as any specialty tools. You'll never know when you'll need it. In addition, some electrical equipment like wire and breakers is a good idea.

3) Bring your own safety glasses. It makes it a lot easier on day 1. The lines for renting them are HUGE if you don't do it, and they usually run out fast. Also, I suggest buying the larger safety glasses for the team members with glasses. Wearing the normal ones not only looks odd, but it's nowhere near as safe as wearing the larger ones. You won't be the only ones, you're all proud nerds at FRC

4) INSPECT EARLY. This will give you access to the practice field as soon as you possibly can. That place fills up fast, so you'll want to get on it to fix any last kinks you may have.

5) Keep the work station clean and organized. No food or drinks, since not only are they not allowed, it's a safety hazard. Keep your tools in a toolbox and the area around the robot clear.

6) Bring ALL your spare batteries and have them charging at ALL TIMES. My dad, one of our mentors, had a strategy to remember if you don't' have enough chargers. Simply put a piece of tape hanging off the charged batteries before swapping them out. Nothing is worse than going to compete, and realizing you have a dead battery on your robot.

7) If you're having issues with your robot and your match is coming up, send your human player to the field at least. He or she can still do their job, even if the robot can't. Being a human player down, especially looking at the game this year, is not fun at ALL.

8) Have dedicated duties for all members in the pit and field. When going to the field, have one team member, preferably the human player, hold the control panel for your team. Have two team members handle the robot, and the fourth pulling the cart. Have the SAME TWO people every time handling the robot onto the field and lining up the autonomous. Human error is easily the main reason for teams missing shots in auto. Once back in the pit, have the students in the pit crew handle the same objective each. One or two remove bumpers, one or two tighten all the bolts, and ALWAYS plug the computer in to charge between matches. It sucks when your computer shuts down in the middle of the match due to this error. By having teams with specific duties through the entire competition, it makes things easier and less hectic, and ensures you won't miss anything.

9) Even if you aren't chosen to be on an alliance for the elimination matches, do NOT pack up and leave. If you aren't, you can go and pack everything up and leave it in the pits. After that, go out and cheer for your fellow competitors. FIRST is all about the camaraderie and the community. No matter if they're your rival team, still cheer. Plus, the elimination matches are easily the most exciting matches of the regional. You do NOT want to miss what will happen there. And even after the final score is revealed, don't leave. Your team may end up with an award. It's the BEST feeling to be able to walk down to the field, high five all the Judges, and get the trophy.

And the MOST IMPORTANT TIP I CAN GIVE YOUR TEAM.....

10) HAVE FUN! I know it's cliché, but it's the truth. No matter what happens, always smile and have fun. Even if your robot malfunctions, even if you're not picked for eliminations, even if your team doesn't get an award, keep smiling and have fun. FRC is easily one of the most fun things I have ever done, and it's the one thing that kept me going through the entire thing despite any failures. If something goes wrong, pick yourself up, fix it, and keep going. If you can't fix it, then pick yourself up and keep going.

That's really the best advice I can give. I wish your team the best of luck, and welcome to the amazing FRC community!