"Random" match Schedules

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Richard

As I said earlier, I will add my concurrence to the communication being prepared for FIRST regarding the match generation algorithm; however, to me it seems clear that this is a policy issue and not a defect in the field management system. Let's keep the discussion on this topic focussed on what can/should be done to improve match generation.

How to improve it? A few thoughts:

-Make sure the cycles are flipped around after each period of play (Friday AM, Friday PM, Saturday AM). Being the last match before lunch and the first one after is a little tight, but the Friday-Saturday interlude is the perfect time to shuffle the deck.
-d.courtney's notion of a ten-minute break (a little under two match cycles) may also aid in shuffling things nicely, if doing it at the existing breaks doesn't cut it.
-If you absolutely must stick the same two teams in a second match, make sure they don't end up on the same side again.
-Above all else, remain fully aware that a low number (or lack thereof) is by no means a sure measure of a great robot.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.