A Recycle Rush Reflection

[Boltman]

As lead strategist/scout mentor I thoroughly enjoyed this years game. From those standpoints.

We failed to make worlds but still rank in top 16.5% world rank. 20% of teams go to Worlds.

Our failing was not having a bot to be top 8 and alliance captain, that is not say we did not have a shot with our outstanding alliance partners with four outstanding teams ( in our two playoff alliances) gave us a total shot and winning we are grateful for the support of teams 696 Circuit Breakers, 1836 Milken Knights, 3021 The Agency and 1772 Brazilian Trailblazers...all of you were excellent alliance captains and/or partners . Our strategy was sound "dividing labor" to what each bot adds, however the fact we were not good enough to be an alliance captain (Highest rank #15) meant we came close but failed. So many chances to succeed. Yet did not.

Lesson learned.

What I do like is this challenge:

A. Requires engineering
B. Requires alliance teamwork and proper makeup
C. Requires consistency
D. Requires considering every scoring aspect

No two best bots in the arena can win on their own guaranteed. The best three matched perfectly wins.

Two examples from our own regionals....

In Ventura best bot/team hands down 330 Beach Bots second best 1717 D'Penguineers along with 2761 Iron Horse (strong third)..they eventually won BUT they were a measly 6 points in three semi finals QA from not even making the finals. We could have beat them (696, 1836, 5137) had any one play in three games made us 6+ points ... 6 points extra in three games and who knows we could be in the worlds....its that close.

In San Diego best bot was 1538 Holy Cows and second best obviously was Code Orange 3476 they added a strong third pick 4486 Blue Prints ...They formed a very strong alliance lost in the finals by 1 point in second final match (0-2 in finals)...same thing happened to Holy Cows in their first regional...dominated added second best strong third and then lost . Best two bots plus third strong (dual grabber) does not guarantee a championship. Like in previous years where a strong two or one could win. I think noodles won San Diego. I was shocked I thought they won and there would be a game 3 there wasn't ...great effort from a great alliance.

With best two bots from a scout standpoint and their third was a fast platform side two wall RC grabber to go along with Holy Cows super fast two RC wall grabber...their potential to grab all four cans in auto.... they lost... Two best bots + dual can grabber seems like they should win.

As a hearty side note congrats to both Eagle Robotics 399 (only one set of fast dual RC talons ) and 3255 SuperNURDS who I consider great teams and FRC friends and of course 2339 Robolopes! Amazing alliance winning against all odds.

Special shout out to the Greybots and Adam Heard thanks for your teams full support!

Moral of the story...having the best two bots does not guarantee success in this years game... the differential in the top 4 alliances is minuscule from a scouting perspective... I love that aspect of this years game.

May the best alliance makeup win the worlds, going to be very interesting. I will watch the playoffs.

I fully support what they were trying to do with RR...its a great challenge.

Best of luck to all teams who made it...worlds are going to be amazing and tough...good luck to all.

We'll be back in 2016...another year better.