How Many Teams Are Going To Track Defenses To Stump Opposition

[alexpell00]

I am curious to learn how many teams plan to track which defenses each team can go over, so that when you are selecting enemy defenses you can select the hardest defense for the opposing alliance.

[orangemoore]

As long as we have the man power*, our defense choices will be made based on the data we collect from on field performance and pit scouting.

*This is the only thing that makes it hard.

[dmelcer9]

This is definitely something our team is doing, both with match and pit scouting.

[Jarren Harkema]

This is a critical part of our scouting and match strategy. When selecting defenses, think about the position each team is playing in, as well as which defenses are easy for them to cross. Defense selection is only one part of the puzzle, strategic placement of them will also play a big role. Placing large defenses that block a teams view of the tower, or placing difficult defenses next to the low bar to create more congestion may be effective strategies.

[GKrotkov]

This is definitely doable, and one of the most important reasons to scout this year. I encourage everyone to scout for this.

If you don't have a system, there are plenty around Chief Delphi (here's Dawgma's: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/3225).

If you don't have the people, try pit scouting. It's less reliable data, but it beats nothing and you can do it while the rest of the team is setting up. Or even better, try a two-person match scouting system that tracks minimal data so two people can manage the load.

[Dibit1010]

If our scouting team can

[IronicDeadBird]

Writing rules for what drive bases are prone to failures in pit scouting. Failure to cross during match can be due to a lot of reasons. I think minimizing failure starts in the pits in this area.

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by alexpell00

I am curious to learn how many teams plan to track which defenses each team can go over, so that when you are selecting enemy defenses you can select the hardest defense for the opposing alliance.

I think the question will be "who isn't collecting data." Scouting is more important this season than ever before. We're even making signs to hold up to our team to tell them which defense to cheer for every round. This game can literally be changed in your favor, even when you're not in the match, I don't know why you wouldn't take advantage of that.

[GeeTwo]

This is the big boost to scouting this year - scouting your opposition is directly useful information during qualifications. We were planning way more scouting this year than we've done previously during the fall, and this aspect of the game should make us stick to it.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Scouting this year, possibly more than any other year, can directly impact your chance to win a match. Knowing which defenses your opponents cannot handle will be a big part of FIRST Stronghold.

[Greg Needel]

I believe this is important also, but I want to point out something that makes this less important than teams may think.

I would venture a guess that in 80%+ of matches we will see the same 5 defenses used. Because they are in pairs, in most cases there is a slightly harder one of the two for the regular team to cross.

For example I believe that the CDF will be one of the more rarely used ones as it's partner the portcullis is generally going to be harder for teams to deal with. The same can be said for the Rockwall, Ramparts, and Sally port.

So while it will be good to collect data on all team and if there turns out to be a different one which is harder ( the moat comes to mind) the. By all means switch it up, but I still contend that the most of the changes we see will be in the position, and not which ones are actually used.

[JohnSchneider]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

For example I believe that the CDF will be one of the more rarely used ones as it's partner the portcullis is generally going to be harder for teams to deal with. The same can be said for the Rockwall, Ramparts, and Sally port.

You're voluntarily erecting a giant wall right in front of your drivers?

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by JohnSchneider

You're voluntarily erecting a giant wall right in front of your drivers?

To be fair, like 85% of that wall is see through.

[Greg Needel]

Originally Posted by JohnSchneider

You're voluntarily erecting a giant wall right in front of your drivers?

It's going to be there anyway only 10 ft farther down the field. I believe that teams will most likey choose the hardest defenses for their apponents regardless of personal impact. Also teams need to realize that their vision is going to be totally blocked anyway, so hopefully they are well practiced at " driving blind"

[Alex Webber]

Our team will deliver this type of data on a tablet to our drive team 4 matches in advance to all of our matches.

I hope to post a white paper when I can.