Pit Scouting Questions?

[Jarren Harkema]

Originally Posted by The other Gabe

I will continue to disagree with people who think pit scouting is worthless. the key is to ask them objective questions (which defenses can you cross, how many motors are on your drive, size of the robot, can you shoot high & accuracy percentage, would you be willing to defend, that sort of thing). because just because a team can do something doesnt mean that they will do it in every match - a good team will do what their alliance needs to be as successful as possible, not just to peacock themselves to potential allies, so they might not be able to do all of their cool tricks.

I agree with you on some of these points. However I don't think that asking which defenses a team can cross, and shot accuracy, can be answered objectively. I know my team hasn't measured our shot accuracy, and would give you a ballpark estimate that was gathered in our shop without the pressure of competition and robot defense. What value does that give you? Similarly, many teams this early in the season have only practiced crossing the team versions of defenses. These behave differently than the field models. As we get to later and higher levels of competition, some of these answers may have more value.

What weight are people giving to pit scouting data if they collect it? Say a team claims they have 90% high goal shot accuracy, but fail to show it in a single match, instead opting for low goals. If you were in a picking position and looking for a high goal shooter, would you rather pick a team who SAYS they can shoot high with 90% accuracy, but have failed to display it, or go with a team that has visibly showed a 70-80% accuracy in qualification matches? If I was seriously interested in a team's ability, but haven't seen it yet, I might be inclined to talk to them and ask if they are capable of showing it off, either on a practice field, or out at their next match.

I feel that this game requires teams to flaunt their stuff. The way to rank high in this game during quals is not the way to play this game in Elims. I would feel more comfortable picking a team who has visibly shown their ability rather than saying they can do it.

That being said. I agree with the other points made. Take pictures and get measurements if you want. The tower face constraints are going to be a real issue that we really haven't really seen come to light yet.

[logank013]

Originally Posted by Jarren Harkema

What weight are people giving to pit scouting data if they collect it? .

Basically, we only use the quantitative data for the first day of Qualifications. It helps us decide which defenses would be the best to put out. Day 2 qualifications and Eliminations, we have the same exact defense predictor but use our stand scouting data instead of pit data. We also use the pictures on day 2 to help us decide which teams would be the best to pick for our alliance (assuming we will be a captain because it is always better to be prepared than relying on being picked). Hope this sort of answered that question for anyone who was wondering.

[Taylor]

Stand scouting allows you to get to know the robot.
Pit scouting allows you to get to know the team.

Keep that in mind, and let that guide your pit scouting questionnaire.