Pit Politics

[Alexander McGee]

Hmm.

I can't help but agree, and disagree.

First of all, i believe that placement in the pits is, infact, a major aspect of decision in choosing alliances. If you are next to someone, you get to see, in detail, what works and what dosnt work with their robot. You also get to see there scores (if they have a score board). You also get an important look at the overall morale of the team.

1. Who really built that robot? You can tell very easilly. If there are students working on it, then that is a huge bonus.
2. Is that robot working? Can it even move? Is everything operational?
3. Is everyone sulking around? Has the pain of defeat gotten them down? This shows not only a lack of confidence in their abilities, but a lack of enthusiasm as well. Not generally a good thing.
4. Is there even anyone in the pit? If so, are they there to greet other teams, and explain their robot? Greeters are very important. It allows you to show off all of the hard work that you have done.

But I also have to say that performance on the field is extremelly important. A really talented driver can beat the best designed robot on the field.

Attitude is vital as well. Teams with a crummy attitude towards other teams is one of the factors that can make a potential picking team decide they would not work well together from practice on thursday.

Just an observation.