(NE First) Hartford District Event

[who716]

Since the inaugural Hartford district event is only three days away, I thought it might be time,
The Hartford district will be held at:
Hartford public schools: 55 forest street Hartford CT.
Team List:
http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-o...rogramCode=FRC

With every team having competed once, some team even competing twice the competition is sure to be very tough, But with 5 weeks and 6 competitions already finished the Hartford district will surly be one of the best. Team 716 Will be looking forward to competing here and working with all the great team attending. Good luck to all!!!

[Jon K.]

I'm so ready for this!!! Can't wait to referee! See you all there!!!

[KathieK]

I'll be there at the FIRST Info Table! If you want to learn more about FIRST's 4 programs, stop by and visit me!

[swootton]

Looking forward to Hartford!!!! Coming off our great weekend in Southington, team NRG is looking to assist any team they can to accumulate enough points to qualify for Boston.

A HUGE THANK YOU to team 181 Birds of Prey for welding our pickup arm together the weekend before Southington. The arm never got bent once and because of your team we made it all the way to the finals. Thank you very Much!!!!!

We have separated the attending teams into 4 categories to allow us to focus on those who could use the most help.
1)Teams that have played 2 matches and cannot earn additional points
2)Teams that need an extra boost to get them as many points as possible
3)Teams that are close enough that they can earn enough points on their own
4)Teams that need a Chairman's win in order to qualify

We have identified teams in the second category that we will be focusing on whenever possible to help accumulate points in qualification, alliance selection and eliminations. We would encourage the eight other teams that are attending their third event to do the same in the spirit of Gracious Professionalism.

[CTbiker105]

Myself and some other members from 195 will be in attendance this weekend. With most teams having competed twice already, we look forward to see how well everybody competes.

[Paul T.]

Originally Posted by swootton

Looking forward to Hartford!!!! Coming off our great weekend in Southington, team NRG is looking to assist any team they can to accumulate enough points to qualify for Boston.

A HUGE THANK YOU to team 181 Birds of Prey for welding our pickup arm together the weekend before Southington. The arm never got bent once and because of your team we made it all the way to the finals. Thank you very Much!!!!!

We have separated the attending teams into 4 categories to allow us to focus on those who could use the most help.
1)Teams that have played 2 matches and cannot earn additional points
2)Teams that need an extra boost to get them as many points as possible
3)Teams that are close enough that they can earn enough points on their own
4)Teams that need a Chairman's win in order to qualify

We have identified teams in the second category that we will be focusing on whenever possible to help accumulate points in qualification, alliance selection and eliminations. We would encourage the eight other teams that are attending their third event to do the same in the spirit of Gracious Professionalism.

My team fits in the second category and although I appreciate the GP and can respect it. Personally i would rather you go hard on us, we were not fully prepared for our first event and if we have pay the price, we do. I would rather see us not go then take the space away from another team that earned it. That being said everyone needs a break sometimes but i don't want one at another teams expense. I love that your willing to help other teams, I'm right there with you (if anyone need help at an event ill more than gladly do whatever i can for your team, flag me down. I'm the one with the beard). I would rather see every team, every match, do the best they can in the interest of wining.

Thanks
Paul

[swootton]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

My team fits in the second category and although I appreciate the GP and can respect it. Personally i would rather you go hard on us, we were not fully prepared for our first event and if we have pay the price, we do. I would rather see us not go then take the space away from another team that earned it. That being said everyone needs a break sometimes but i don't want one at another teams expense. I love that your willing to help other teams, I'm right there with you (if anyone need help at an event ill more than gladly do whatever i can for your team, flag me down. I'm the one with the beard). I would rather see every team, every match, do the best they can in the interest of wining.

Thanks
Paul

Paul,
We're not looking to throw a match but offer help and support as well as some great strategy we learned this week in Southington. We forced team 195(Cyberknights) and their alliance to a third match in the finals and we will push just as hard this weekend. I agree we must all earn our place, but everyone can use a helping hand at times.

We went to Southington with 14 points so you're in better shape then we were. Make a plan and make it happen. I told our team if we kept playing like we did in Groton we would not make it to Boston. Our plan was simple, break down the points. We were shooting for 52-54 points and we got 59.
1)Win 10 out of 12 Qualifiers 10x2=20 points ---We won 10 for 20 points
2)Be a top captain or top pick 12-14 points ---We were #3 for 14 points
3)Make it to the finals for 20 points --We were finalists 20 points
Then we got a 5 point judged award for our total 59

The students pushed hard all weekend, they scouted better than they ever did and they made a lot of new friends. I look forward to meeting you this weekend. We're easy to spot, just look for the gearhead helmets.

[Paul T.]

Originally Posted by swootton

Paul,
We're not looking to throw a match but offer help and support as well as some great strategy we learned this week in Southington. We forced team 195(Cyberknights) and their alliance to a third match in the finals and we will push just as hard this weekend. I agree we must all earn our place, but everyone can use a helping hand at times.

We went to Southington with 14 points so you're in better shape then we were. Make a plan and make it happen. I told our team if we kept playing like we did in Groton we would not make it to Boston. Our plan was simple, break down the points. We were shooting for 52-54 points and we got 59.
1)Win 10 out of 12 Qualifiers 10x2=20 points ---We won 10 for 20 points
2)Be a top captain or top pick 12-14 points ---We were #3 for 14 points
3)Make it to the finals for 20 points --We were finalists 20 points
Then we got a 5 point judged award for our total 59

The students pushed hard all weekend, they scouted better than they ever did and they made a lot of new friends. I look forward to meeting you this weekend. We're easy to spot, just look for the gearhead helmets.

I'm terribly sorry, i thought you were implying that your team was going to throw matches for those eight teams and were encouraging others to do the same, we currently have 22 points fro WPI now that our shooter works and our code is stable we hope to be doing better. we wish to total 70 points so that means our goal is 48 points (a tall order). we would love the strategic advice, our team is small about 3 insanely dedicated kids and a few others. were relying on our friends at 228 and 558 to help us with scouting (we acquired mentors from both teams this season) so were hoping this will be our best event. I'll swing by your pit Saturday and take you up on that strategic insight.
-Paul

[dsmoker]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

I'm terribly sorry, i thought you were implying that your team was going to throw matches for those eight teams and were encouraging others to do the same, we currently have 22 points fro WPI now that our shooter works and our code is stable we hope to be doing better. we wish to total 70 points so that means our goal is 48 points (a tall order). we would love the strategic advice, our team is small about 3 insanely dedicated kids and a few others. were relying on our friends at 228 and 558 to help us with scouting (we acquired mentors from both teams this season) so were hoping this will be our best event. I'll swing by your pit Saturday and take you up on that strategic insight.
-Paul

Paul, we are totally willing to help you with scouting. We use simple paper scouting with an excel spreadsheet that can be sorted by category. It's simple but highly effective. Just stop by our pit, and tell us what you need. And take good care of Jacob for us.

[loyal]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

I appreciate the GP and can respect it. Personally i would rather you go hard on us,

Thanks
Paul

Ditto.
Hartford won't be like Groton or Southington. There will be some very awesome teams and it is going to get serious for the teams that want to advance.
If any team that is going to a third event wanted to help other teams advance then they would not become a picker and they would not become picked. Show up and volunteer for the event. That would be helpful. But taking points from teams is not helpful.

[jwfoss]

Originally Posted by loyal

Ditto.
Hartford won't be like Groton or Southington. There will be some very awesome teams and it is going to get serious for the teams that want to advance.
If any team that is going to a third event wanted to help other teams advance then they would not become a picker and they would not become picked. Show up and volunteer for the event. That would be helpful. But taking points from teams is not helpful.

FRC558 will not be throwing any matches or taking it easy. We will however continue to help anyone that needs support in the pit with robot modification/fixes, scouting support, or strategy. Asking a team to back down competitively is in my opinion not GP.

[who716]

personally I believe that the point model needs some improvement, teams competing at three or more events is hurting teams who are on the bubble. I believe those changes will be coming within a season or two.

[Paul T.]

Originally Posted by dsmoker

Paul, we are totally willing to help you with scouting. We use simple paper scouting with an excel spreadsheet that can be sorted by category. It's simple but highly effective. Just stop by our pit, and tell us what you need. And take good care of Jacob for us.

Jacob has been so great with the strategy and scouting along with so much more, sorry for stealing him but were keeping him. haha congrats for you win last weekend, we can't wait to compete with you guys.

[dsmoker]

Originally Posted by Paul T.

Jacob has been so great with the strategy and scouting along with so much more, sorry for stealing him but were keeping him. haha congrats for you win last weekend, we can't wait to compete with you guys.

No apology necessary! It's hard for a mama bird to see her little chicks fly from the nest, but a proud moment, too. And he was with us last weekend, so we'll give him back to you for Hartford.

Fair warning, Jacob's already working on our senior caption Duna to join you guys if she winds up at WPI. We'll do our best to keep funneling them your way. She's a gem, too.

[Paul T.]

Originally Posted by who716

personally I believe that the point model needs some improvement, teams competing at three or more events is hurting teams who are on the bubble. I believe those changes will be coming within a season or two.

i have a slightly different view, the good (or above average) teams seem to be the ones who do multiple regional, if you take all those teams out your left with a few above average teams, some average and some below average. making it easier to get those points for an average or below average team. It makes it really easy for a slightly above average team to steal the show (look at unh). On the other hand if the powerhouses get together in a district that counts they hurt each other (look at Groton). Having those teams around at our second events makes t fair for the teams that had to compete against them at there districts. otherwise we would have an easier time. Personally i don't think were going to see another groton style event until week 4 next year and it will be full of 3rd event teams. too many good teams got burnt point wise to want to do that again. We want to do a week 1 or 2 new Hampshire event, WPI (our home event) then a stacked event. we'll get our points and then go as hard as possible in preparation for the district championship.