Universal goal location designations

[Max Lobovsky]

I'm for this one:

Far Left........Far Mid........Far Right

Mid Left........CENTER........Mid Right

Near Left......Near Mid.......Near Right


Additionally, if we come to a consensus, 1257 will print cards for the NYC and Annapolis regional. (Good idea, Ken)

[dhitchco]

If it helps, HERE is a link to a 11'x17" graphic of the playing field that you can use as a roadmap for the drivers and strategy team. You can write alternative roadmap paths on these sheets and label each goal withthe numbering/naming scheme you've recommended here.

By the way, don't forget that you should also have identifying names/numberf for the four loading stations, so that the drivers can hear verbal commands.

[Mr. A]

Originally Posted by dhitchco

If it helps,
By the way, don't forget that you should also have identifying names/numberf for the four loading stations, so that the drivers can hear verbal commands.

How about auto 1, auto 2 human 1 and human 2 where the ones are the closer.

The input on this thread has been great.
Printed cards are a great idea.
Over the weekend I will summarize and set it up for a vote.

[Philip W.]

I would have to say that the CENTER based system is best. The system is very general and simple, and uses really basic instinctive visual descriptions/interpretations. It will definitely depend on one's use of descriptive language though.

The problem with the number system is the preparation of the mind. People will have to begin memorizing the numbers each goal is represented by. When someone is going to refer to the far right goal, they'll have to recall the number that represents it, which may take a while longer for some people. On the other hand, over time and practise, the referencing will become easier from experience, but not everyone can do it.

Flash cards, as nice as they sound, are too much to handle, literally. Having a ton of flash cards in your hand, selecting the right one, and showing both teams of your alliance the card where they have to take their eyes off the field will end up having them all fall on the floor.

[Jeff Rodriguez]

I hate to say this, but...

No matter what, if any, agreed standard there is on Chiefdelphi.com most likely will not be used by the entire community. There are more teams that don't read the message boards than teams that do.

There are also many teams that go with a certain terminology and stay with it, no matter what. If a team has used it all along, its what they all understand and what they'll use.
I have already started using Mid left, near left, center, etc. and have been getting other members on the team to use it as well.


As for the auto loading zones and HP loading zones, I don't think that it's going to matter much.

[Tuba4]

Now that we have all shipped our 'bots, how about we bring this subject back to the fore front. I like this version:

Originally Posted by Max Lobovsky

I'm for this one:

Far Left........Far Mid........Far Right

Mid Left........CENTER........Mid Right

Near Left......Near Mid.......Near Right


Additionally, if we come to a consensus, 1257 will print cards for the NYC and Annapolis regional. (Good idea, Ken)

Perhaps I would make one change. How about we call the CENTER goal MIDDLE instead. It already says left, middle and right for the far and near row. Thoughts???

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by Philip W.

The problem with the number system is the preparation of the mind. People will have to begin memorizing the numbers each goal is represented by. When someone is going to refer to the far right goal, they'll have to recall the number that represents it, which may take a while longer for some people. On the other hand, over time and practise, the referencing will become easier from experience, but not everyone can do it.

I have to agree here. I think of the number system as something the driveteam will have to "translate" in their brain before actually taking action. The coach will have to make sure they're calling out the right one they intend, and the driveteam will need to make sure they're translating the same thing. Think of it like a foreign language (unless you're totally fluent)... To speak it, you sometimes translate in your head prior to speaking it. I have a feeling that under the pressure, and heat of the moment, people will find the number system difficult to react on and confusion will erupt.

Even if it's more than a couple syllables, if it's easier for the brain to translate, it might end up being quicker. So.. far left, far center, middle left, middle right, near left, near right.. you instinctively know what that means w/o thinking about it.

Also - what's the likelihood of people spending much time on the far end of the field? We'll find out, but right now assuming a relatively small amount of time that you spend over there, the extra syllable might not be a big concern...

For the home row right in front of you, you can just make that "left, middle, right"... and for the other two rows add words like "far", "middle".. Center goal can be "center".

Personally, I think that calling the rows "1-2-3" with 3 being farthest, and then using "left, center, right" with it, that's good. Otherwise, using "near, middle, far" for the rows would be easiest for the brain to translate. Everyone will figure it out when they get on the field and try different commands. It needs to be short commands, but instinctive to translate.

[Denman]

See the other thread, i've set up a poll so we can decide between the entire populous.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=35314

[Ken Loyd]

Stephen,

Thank you for all your hard work.

Ken

[Alex Golec]

These systems would only work completely for the drivers, but I feel that a system must be in place that can be used anywhere on the field, from the drivers to the audience.

Because each alliance has it's own designated side, and I am under the assumption that the colored lights will be back, I would propose calling the "rows" blue, red and center. And because the views of left, right, far and home all require the audience to be sitting on the side, they should not be used because my "home left" is "far right" to the person on the other side. I would strongly suggest a universal naming system that anyone can recognize, regardless of their position in the fieldhouse, such as:

Red HP ......... Center HP ........ Blue HP
Red Middle .... The Center ...... Blue Middle
Red Auto ...... Center Auto ..... Blue Auto

The Center can have many names that could easily be recognized, such as "the tall goal," "7-footer(only if the audience knows this...)," etc.

I also strongly discourage the use of a numbering system unless there are numbers printed on the field. I believe the system must be universal and simple, something that requires minimal work to understand. Numbers are confusing unless you have an origin, which must be determined depending on where you are on the field. In short, I believe none of the current options are practical or universal for use this year with the drivers and the audience.

_Alex

[Allison K]

For communicating with your drive team and other drive teams/coaches during a match I think

Opposing Alliance Station
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
You Alliance Station

would be the easiest because it requires little thinking. I think just about everybody uses a telephone fairly often, making that number sequence more natural. Plus it's quick and easy to say. I think left/right, far/close/middle could get a little confusing in the heat of competition.

For talking about matches afterwords in the pit and such, I think a system using the red/blue sides, and the human player/autoloader sides would be easiest because those won't change based on orientation.

~Allison K

PS - If we could decide on one universal designation, This could be an interesting test of the reach/influence of chiefdelphi.

[Denman]

Originally Posted by Allison K

would be the easiest because it requires little thinking. I think just about everybody uses a telephone fairly often, making that number sequence more natural.

But also , i use my computer keypad a lot, and i think a lot of others here would as well...(I actually have to use it at work for selling timber in sizes, and to log in )

[rjmah]

Originally Posted by Sarotu

Revised suggestion (looking at opponent)

Far left == Far middle == Far right

Center left == Center Goal == Center Right

Near Left == Near Middle == Near Right

Center is distinct. You can call to cap the middle column or protect the center line and everyone knows what you mean. The word "near" is easier heard over the background noise than "home".