Defensive Strategies

[Jon K.]

Originally Posted by Shu Song

The best defence has gotta be just continuous ramming another robot so they don't get an opportunity to shoot. Since this isn't basketball where a defence-man can't touch someone who's in the process of shooting, this strategy would be equal to just hugging the player with the ball all the time so they can't shoot or pass (which isn't allowed is b-ball). So I really don't think many robots will have to specially equipped for defence.

Whats more important is defence strategy; choosing which robots to stick on, or choosing whether to play defence at all. You could just sit back and load up on all the balls your opponents score and when the period ends, got back and score all those points back.

The most interesting defence period will most likely be the last period where both teams can score and there are no backbots. There are so many strategies for that depending on bot's weakness and strengthes and the score situation.

So all in all, just ram the robot trying to shoot.

Might I just note rule G 22 on page 7 of Section 4 The Game, where it specifically says no ramming... Granted this strategy works well when just simply stated as pushing, but just remember everyone RAMMING IS NOT ALLOWED.

[Kelvin Ng]

Originally Posted by Jon K.

Might I just note rule G 22 on page 7 of Section 4 The Game, where it specifically says no ramming... Granted this strategy works well when just simply stated as pushing, but just remember everyone RAMMING IS NOT ALLOWED.

I think Shu means ramming from short distances. Eg. accelerate from 2 feet away, ram, back off 2 feet, ram etc. The rule states no long distance ramming.

[Jon K.]

Originally Posted by Kelvin Ng

I think Shu means ramming from short distances. Eg. accelerate from 2 feet away, ram, back off 2 feet, ram etc. The rule states no long distance ramming.

That is why I put my post in the wording it is, to note that ramming is technically illegal and is stated in the rulebook as from a distance, and that a good defense does not include ramming but instead pushing.

[Henry_Mareck]

We had the idea of attaching a large CIM to a fan blade and trying to blow the ball away from their trajectory. Yeah, like thats gonna happen. We also had the "idea" of attaching all 15 available motors ( i think there are 15 ) to a fan, and just floating around the field.

[Greg Needel]

Originally Posted by Henry_Mareck

We had the idea of attaching a large CIM to a fan blade and trying to blow the ball away from their trajectory.

you know....anything is possible

[Kelvin Ng]

Originally Posted by Henry_Mareck

We had the idea of attaching a large CIM to a fan blade and trying to blow the ball away from their trajectory.

You know what, that sounds REALLY COOOL!!! perhaps...gear it to a thousand rpm, like most teams' shooter roller thingies, you could have some potential for changing the trajectory just enough. Then again, I think just making the robot mobile enough to get in front of the shooting robot should be enough. There probably won't be (m)any teams that have robots that fire from the ceilings of their robots.

BTW, if you could have a floating robot, load it up and slam dunk! =D

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Kelvin Ng

There probably won't be (m)any teams that have robots that fire from the ceilings of their robots.

Really? This is the only design we have been seriously considering.

[Safarley2901]

Originally Posted by Henry_Mareck

We had the idea of attaching a large CIM to a fan blade and trying to blow the ball away from their trajectory. Yeah, like thats gonna happen. We also had the "idea" of attaching all 15 available motors ( i think there are 15 ) to a fan, and just floating around the field.

We tried it doesn't work. The blowing ball thing. We tried

[pyroslev]

Ramming like that is what i call sniper ramming.

But anyways...

Use your defensive robots, all of them to plot/prepare for offensive period.

It's surprisingly simple.

[Mike Norton]

you need to think out of the box.


First everybody is worry about the 3rd robot scoring. what would happen if a defence robot can push 2 robots at the same time around leaving the other robot 1 on 1.

If you where to block a side goal while waiting there you could be filling it with balls

no one have said anything about the ramp. this is going to be big. it is worth 25pts if you get three robots up there. I like that because if you push your opponent up on to the ramp you can hold them there until the end. (by the way the ramp I think will flip robots over if being push to it) that will make it easy to move a turtle on its back up the ramp.


go to where the points are and you will win.

[Jon K.]

Originally Posted by Mike Norton

you need to think out of the box.


First everybody is worry about the 3rd robot scoring. what would happen if a defence robot can push 2 robots at the same time around leaving the other robot 1 on 1.

If you where to block a side goal while waiting there you could be filling it with balls

no one have said anything about the ramp. this is going to be big. it is worth 25pts if you get three robots up there. I like that because if you push your opponent up on to the ramp you can hold them there until the end. (by the way the ramp I think will flip robots over if being push to it) that will make it easy to move a turtle on its back up the ramp.


go to where the points are and you will win.

Only thing to watch is if the refs continually see you tipping teams even if it is pushing them up a ramp they may start calling penalties and dq's etc... Something for the FIRST q&a maybe?

[Mike Norton]

the way the rules are stated it looks like they are looking for teams to do this. because they will let you pin forever on the platform.


It will be up to the other team to make sure their robot will not be tip over

Look at this video. that year almost every match there was a robot on there back. this was at the nationals. and not once where we ever warn. because if your robot is defending and trying to stop someone from scoring and they flip over it would not be your fault. But you had to make sure you did not have anything on your robot to help the other robot to flip. ( like a wedge ) like our robots they always had a flat surface only 1/2 - 7 inches off the floor. this alone help robots over if they turn and you pushed them on there side. some form the front

so if the other teams robot is worth points to your team they become a scoring object.

yes

[blue_crew]

is the pinning rule the only rule that does not apply on the ramp/platform?

[Mike Norton]

is the pinning rule the only rule that does not apply on the ramp/platform?

Yes that is the only one

[Arkorobotics]

Originally Posted by Mike Norton

Yes that is the only one

You mean you can pin this robot the whole round on the ramp?