Overdrive <G22> poll: yea or nay?

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by Steve W

It may not be the best rule but it does state the rule, penalty and above all has not changed since day 1. Why is this such a big issue? When you get a ticket for going the wrong way on the street can you use the defence that I only went a bit the wrong way?

Steve, it's a big issue because it's being called in something like 75%+ of matches. It's affecting the outcome of many of those matches. I get that it's been there since day 1. Everyone keeps saying that. So what. If it really, truly was such an easy rule for everyone to follow, then why is this penalty being assessed more than any other rule that I can think of in the history of FIRST? That's my point. Regardless of how easy it is for many of you to follow, LOTS of teams seem to be having problems with it - this fact cannot be denied, can it? I get that they should learn to fix it. Fine, whatever. In the meantime, it's creating a lousy situation for spectators, young teams, new mentors, and potential sponsors.

How many of you would keep watching an (American) football game if the refs threw a flag on 3 out of every 4 downs? There's been lots of sports analogies (even though the FIRST mantra is that we want to be better examples than many athletes), but I can't think of any sport where there are anywhere near as many penalties as we are seeing in this game.

[JesseK]

Pre-VCU, I would have said "Bad but can be fixed". Post-VCU after actually experiencing it, I'd say "Good but can be improved". I'd like some sort of indicator for when a violation has happened, much like what Al said and for the same reasons.

Thanks for the detailed poll Alan, and a bump.

[Craig Roys]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

If it really, truly was such an easy rule for everyone to follow, then why is this penalty being assessed more than any other rule that I can think of in the history of FIRST?

I don't know if anyone said it was and easy rule to FOLLOW, but it is an easy rule to understand. It is part of the game challenge and, as such, should be penalized if not followed. It's not necessarily supposed to be easy. In fact, I would argue that part of what makes FIRST fun is that it is NOT easy. Yes, it can make the game difficult for spectators (and teams also), but if it is a big concern then teams need to adjust their strategies to try to avoid receiving this penalty.

[Steve W]

The most tense time in a match and the one that draws everyone in is just before the scores are announced. Did someone get penalized? Were the real time scores correct? Who really won? How much more drama can be added than that? The teams that win celebrate and the teams that lose should celebrate too. It doesn't matter how you "correct" the rule there will still be variances and close calls. There will still be unhappy people. There will still be complaints. To be honest how can FIRST make us all happy? How many people in reality really are totally upset and disgruntled? Most of those that I saw at the one regional I was at were having a great time and were accepting what was happening as part of the game.