Rookie Team Tips!

[Koko Ed]

As a lead que at events let me give you a tips when at the event itself.

Make sure and use the pit time constructively. The pit is not a place to hang out or screw around in. Any team members who are not being useful in the pits should be sent to go sit in the stands.
Have two or more team members thoroughly go over the schedule and document EVERY MATCH your team is in and make it a point to be early to each match if your robot is properly functioning. The time you spend waiting in line is time spent strategizing with your alliance partner about what you plan to do that match.
* And on that note: HAVE A PLAN! Don't be like far too many team that hit the field and drive haplessly around for two minute doing nothing of any value or worse costing their alliance a victory with boneheaded mistakes.
* Read and understand the rules.
* Do not allow the drives team to leave the building. If you have to get the, lunch send someone to get them lunch but do not give them the opportunity to miss matches. God forbid your absence cost an alliance partner. Teams are scouting matches and notice more than just how your robot performs on the field.
*Make sure your batteries are fully charged when you come to the field. And try not to have to do any major programming while in line. We are not going to wait for your program to upload.
Please please please please please take care to place your cart in the proper place where they belong. Do not leave it in front of the gates or where the referees stand to watch the matches or anywhere in the middle of the floor. The carts are a hazard and someone could get hurt by them. Be a responsible team and assign a member of your drive team to make sure that the cart is placed where it is supposed to be.
*pay attention to what the field staff tells you to do once you enter the field of play. Particularly the FTA. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure the event runs smoothly. Not just the field staff. Following instructions and paying attention to where and when to line up and cleaning getting on and off the field is paramount to this.