[FRC Blog] Software Downloads and Administrative Manual Release

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I'll present the counter argument. By having a specific scoring metric, teams are encouraged to do things to fit that mold for the purposes of winning the award, rather than doing things on their own accord because they want to and it is truly meaningful to them.

I agree with everything you said, except the conclusion that we should remove the feedback form. I think we should change the feedback form. I'd be happy if they just got rid of the checkboxes. I'd be happy with a blank sheet of paper for the judges to write on.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I agree with everything you said, except the conclusion that we should remove the feedback form. I think we should change the feedback form. I'd be happy if they just got rid of the checkboxes. I'd be happy with a blank sheet of paper for the judges to write on.

Completely agreed. Any feedback is better than nothing. "This is what beat you" is not feedback. Heck, I'd argue that the best feedback I've seen has been in the comments section of the form.

Also of note, the first team update was released to the admin manual. Video is no longer required to be submitted to STIMS at the Chairman's deadline, and even putting a link is optional. Good.

[AdamStockton]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

I cannot seem to find any robot display section in this manual comparable to section 5.4.3 from last year, described in this blog post from last year. Did I just miss it or does it not exist?

They just added this in the Dec. 19th Update. It is located in section 5.5.3

Originally Posted by FRC Admin Manual 5.5.3

To assist teams with their promotional and community relations activities, robots may be unbagged and operated briefly after “Stop Build Day” for display purposes only.

• The intent of this option is to allow teams to briefly show their robot to their community, sponsors, or potential sponsors after “Stop Build Day”.

• Unbagging a robot and putting it on display for many hours (i.e. more than four (4)) at a time would not be considered a “brief” display.

• The Robot Lock-Up Form must be used to track the unbagging and rebagging of the robot during this period. In the “Explanation” column of the form, enter “Robot Display”.

• No activity that could be considered “work on” or “practice with” the robot is allowed.

• Brief displays of robot functions - driving for example - are allowed, but not to the extent that they could be considered practice.

• A good way to avoid turning a robot display period in to a practice session is to have non-drive team members operate the robot, and only for as short a time as necessary to show the robot’s capabilities.

• If you have any questions about this new Robot Display option, please email frcteams@usfirst.org.

[Caleb Sykes]

Originally Posted by AdamStockton

They just added this in the Dec. 19th Update. It is located in section 5.5.3

I'm very glad they added this section back in. My team will likely be taking advantage of this opportunity.

[Connerd]

■ All persons in the Pit should observe the code of behavior for the presentation of all national anthems:
• Maintain a respectful silence;
• Stand, facing the flag. If there is no flag, look toward the video screen showing a flag; and • Hats off please.

As someone who's been doing color guard activities for over three years now, this has always been something that bothered me. We had exchange students from other countries on our team, but they were always respectful of the anthems. Of course, our team, myself included, could always be better at being respectful.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I agree with everything you said, except the conclusion that we should remove the feedback form. I think we should change the feedback form. I'd be happy if they just got rid of the checkboxes. I'd be happy with a blank sheet of paper for the judges to write on.

The core issue with that is CA judges are already quite overtaxed. (All judges are)

Quality feedback is REALLY hard to write. Heck, sometimes even mediocre "do more community outreach" feedback is hard to write and justify compared to team XYZ who won. Plus, now you have to go back, remember specifics from the team and write feedback after deciding which is going to always feel like justifying your decision and isn't always useful.

TL;DR - Good feedback is hard and it's a bigger problem than just handing the judges a rubric.

[randantor]

Section 4.5.2.2 of the admin manual reads

Teams often use the Qualification Schedule to scout other teams to watch their strategies and robot capabilities. This is especially
helpful when choosing alliances, should your team advance to the Playoff Matches.

The corresponding section in the 2014 admin manual reads

Teams often use the Qualification Schedule to scout other teams to watch their strategies and robot capabilities. This is
especially helpful when choosing alliances, should your team advance to the Elimination Matches.

It seems that Elimination Matches have been renamed to "Playoff Matches" - does this indicate a different structure for elims?

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by randantor

It seems that Elimination Matches have been renamed to "Playoff Matches" - does this indicate a different structure for elims?

My guess is they changed the name because most other sports call their postseason eliminations "playoffs".

The elimination structure from previous seasons is a type of playoff system.