2015 Lessons Learned: The Positive

[s_forbes]

The queuing and field set up at champs was awesome. I could tell that someone spent a lot of time thinking about it to make it work smoothly, and they did very well. The entire pit and field layout seemed to be very efficient this year.

[GaryVoshol]

We learned a new kind of game this year. New way to design, new way to play, new way to score, new way to advance, new way to ref.

I think this might have been a factor that allowed some teams to bubble up in stature. Top teams like 1114, 111 and 67 manage to fight through defense and still score in normal games. This year many mid-range teams could shine because they didn't have to try to fight defense and score.

I doubt we'll have another no-defense game next year, but it was a refreshing change this year.

[JesseK]

- I liked the relaxed restrictions on size, regardless of the shenanigans it almost allowed on Einstein.

- I like Cheesecake, and the responsiveness to the loud voices of the community to keep it an active part of FRC. Perhaps restrict it somewhat in the future, but don't eliminate it!

- I really liked the whole concept of assembling in under 1 minute on the field in order to breach outside the starting frame perimeter. It made for a much easier design in some cases and allowed us to focus on the tougher aspects.

- In general everyone at FIRST HQ seemed to be more willing to show their humor, like 'Chute Door'.

- A Champs format with Quals ending on Friday was easily the best thing about the new Champs schedule. Planning logistics, lunch, etc for Saturday was much easier. I'm sure alliance captains appreciated it too.

- Districts are coming, next Winter (to MD/DC/VA).

- Frank's responsiveness and openness on his blog really helped add context to some of the announcements from this season

- 600+ teams at champs - I like it!

- I liked the small practice spaces at Champs, and would like to see more of them with 20 minute time limits rather that 15 minutes. Those little areas made all of the difference for us capability-wise, and it really looked like there was plenty of floor space to add many more. It would be nice to see more small practice spaces at the Regional/District levels, but I know those are limited by the venues.

[Nyxyxylyth]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I liked the small practice spaces at Champs, and would like to see more of them with 20 minute time limits rather that 15 minutes. Those little areas made all of the difference for us capability-wise, and it really looked like there was plenty of floor space to add many more. It would be nice to see more small practice spaces at the Regional/District levels, but I know those are limited by the venues.

Agreed: 20 minutes would be just right, but 15 was not quite enough.

To make it even better: get each practice space a big clock and a reset button. When you start on the field, the next team in line makes sure you hit the button to reset the clock. When it hits 20 minutes, the next team in line clears their throats until you get off the field. All the volunteers need to do is keep the queues full.

Practice spaces in each division would be better still.

[stuart2054]

The lack of defense allowed more creative thinking. I don't want to see it every year but it allowed thoughts you would not have considered in past games.

I know for us we would not have used mechanum wheels if there had been defense and we would have missed out a lot of knowledge and fun getting to know them. The rather flimsy arms we had for picking up the 2nd and 3rd bin in auto would not have survived a game with defense.

I thought the added traffic from 600 teams was handled well by opening up more entryways into the pits and generally more thought to traffic flow thru the building.

[Ginger Bread]

I learned that the judges might possibly think you're being sarcastic when you cheer for literally everybody when you're really being serious.
In other words we didn't win spirit award and we were bummed about it.

[tickspe15]

Originally Posted by Ginger Bread

I learned that the judges might possibly think you're being sarcastic when you cheer for literally everybody when you're really being serious.
In other words we didn't win spirit award and we were bummed about it.

Team Spirit Award sponsored by Chrysler
Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST.

The team spirit award has nothing to do with cheering at competitions...
Our team makes an effort to read through the descriptions of the awards so that we can tailor our interactions with judges at the event towards winning the awards that we want.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by tickspe15

Our team makes an effort to read through the descriptions of the awards so that we can tailor our interactions with judges at the event towards winning the awards that we want.

It's worth noting that judging criteria can be ignored or followed rigidly at any event. Outside of Chairman's (an even that sees some latitude) criteria is not always enforced to the way teams may expect.

[Ginger Bread]

Originally Posted by tickspe15

Team Spirit Award sponsored by Chrysler
Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through exceptional partnership and teamwork furthering the objectives of FIRST.

The team spirit award has nothing to do with cheering at competitions...
Our team makes an effort to read through the descriptions of the awards so that we can tailor our interactions with judges at the event towards winning the awards that we want.

O, my bad, we are still a fairly new team and don't know the requirements for awards outside of winning the competition.

[plnyyanks]

Originally Posted by Ginger Bread

O, my bad, we are still a fairly new team and don't know the requirements for awards outside of winning the competition.

You can find descriptions for each award in every game's Administrative Manual (link). Note that I've linked the current documents, which apply to the 2015 season and may be totally different/exactly the same/completely gone/whatever for 2016 and beyond.

In last year's document, check out section 6, starting on page 37