Rookie Team Tips!

[EricH]

Another at-the-event tip: Get inspected early. At Arizona last year, the pit closing was extended by half an hour so the very busy inspectors could get to everybody that was ready (the line was out the door). There WILL be a late rush to get inspected--but anybody showing up at 10 AM got at least a partial inspection right away. Those that didn't...

For the vets and multi-event teams: if you have already been to an event that year, show up as soon as your robot is out of the crate if you have no modifications to make. It makes the inspectors' life much easier--and then you can go hang out in the filler line all day and get more practice. Or, almost as good, show up and tell them the modifications and what will be affected.

Bumpers: Not only do you have to have them solidly mounted, but they must also be readily removable for size/weight checks. This is non-negotiable. If you're spending 30 minutes removing bumpers, you are taking too long. (Hint: showing up to inspection with bumpers off the robot makes the inspector's life much easier--bumpers on the scale, robot on the scale and in the sizing box, and if you pass both, bumpers on whenever you want to after that.)

Pre-inspect. If possible, find your friendly local veteran team and ask if one or more of them can go over your robot with the inspection checklist before you crate/bag the robot. Pre-ship scrimmages should have a few inspectors. While their decisions are not final or binding on legality of X, they can highlight trouble spots for later or immediate work. (Note: "But so-and-so says this is legal" or "But it passed at Y event" does not fly with the competition inspectors. We've heard it before, and pay no heed, especially if the event did not have official inspectors.)

[kstl99]

One very important part of any FRC robot is the electrical system. The robots take a beating and the wiring must be robust so your robot doesn't die at the worst times. If you can find a mentor experienced in machine wiring it would be helpful. Al Skierkiewicz did a great presentation that can be viewed by clicking on the "Attached Assets" link here http://thinktank.wpi.edu/article/149.

Before my first year last year I watched a documentary on PBS called Gearing Up that showed 4 teams as they went through a season which helped me understand some of what it is like. It can be seen online here: http://www.gearingupproject.org/watch-online/

Good luck and enjoy.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

* And on that note: HAVE A PLAN!

...and stick to the plan during the match. Nothing worse than counting on a team to do 'something' and they don't, because they 'changed their mind'.

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

* Read and understand the rules.

Re-quoted and bolded because it is so true. If your team reads the manual and follows all the rules, you'll be ahead of many teams, even veterans. Note that following the rules is not optional!! These are required, and if you get to competition and even think (much less say) "I didn't know of that rule", well, you will probably get what you deserve.

Originally Posted by EricH

Pre-inspect. If possible, find your friendly local veteran team and ask if one or more of them can go over your robot with the inspection checklist before you crate/bag the robot.

Yes, yes, yes. Do this. Nothing worse than having a MAJOR rules violation that is first identified at a competition. Read and learn the rules, then follow them.

Ask for help when you need it! FIRST is not a competition where it is an advantage to go at it alone!