Defense robots for 2010 game..

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Guopeter

For those who follow NHL hockey, Washington Capitals/Team Russia should be the model to follow.

Being good at every aspect of the game?

[Refresh]

Defense bots are always good to have on your alliance. Especially in this game.

[eugenebrooks]

Instead of taking them for a ride across the bumps, how about parking
them on top of a bump. Done gently, without robot or field damage,
how is this overly aggressive? The team could just come out and fetch
their robot after the match was over with no harm done.

Eugene

Originally Posted by Jones571

I think G38 <A> will apply as if this happens on a regular basis i think it can easily be called aggressive and intentional. As well as G37 <B> which says Incidental contact is generally allowed... So If you are over aggressive and push them over a ramp you may find your self in some serious trouble.

[kjolana1124]

Originally Posted by Guopeter

Defense =\= goal-tending.

I have to agree with that. Puppy guarding isn't really going to get very far in my opinion. Especially since you'll only have one robot there. If two go into that zone, then it's almost pointless. Also, I can't help but think that teams who start to build these goalie-bots would end of losing speed or ball maneuverability or something. They could be tanks, but tanks are very slow.

However, I still feel that defense is key to this game. But more like the 09 defense. Not necessarily a best defense is a good offense approach, but the best defense is to keep them moving. Robots are going to have to move a lot depending on where the balls are and what their strategy is. If a team can keep a robot occupied by either screening like mentioned before or just controlling the balls so the others follow you, or even with some sort of pinning or something, that would be the most effective defense.

[kjolana1124]

Originally Posted by eugenebrooks

Instead of taking them for a ride across the bumps, how about parking
them on top of a bump. Done gently, without robot or field damage,
how is this overly aggressive? The team could just come out and fetch
their robot after the match was over with no harm done.

Eugene

It would depend how your refs define pinning. The rules claim it's if a robot is being pushed against a wall or part of the field. So if you're pushing a robot up the ramp, they may count that as pinning, no matter how gentle.

[eugenebrooks]

So, you do it in under 5 seconds.

Eugene

Originally Posted by kjolana1124

It would depend how your refs define pinning. The rules claim it's if a robot is being pushed against a wall or part of the field. So if you're pushing a robot up the ramp, they may count that as pinning, no matter how gentle.

[Enigma's puzzle]

I think you are looking at the predicament you ran into last year, there was good defensive robots, however, when you can add a offensive robot that an play mediocre defense, it gives you so many more strategy options.

And the best Defense will be keeping balls in a place you can score from, which isnt the defensive side if the court.

A FIRST adage:
You can make an Offensive robot play defense more effectively, than you can make a Defensive robot play offense.

[Jones571]

Originally Posted by eugenebrooks

Instead of taking them for a ride across the bumps, how about parking
them on top of a bump. Done gently, without robot or field damage,
how is this overly aggressive? The team could just come out and fetch
their robot after the match was over with no harm done.

Eugene

lol that would be a very amusing play to watch. I would hate to be the one on top but still would have to give kudos to a well played and executed strategy.

Originally Posted by kjolana1124

It would depend how your refs define pinning. The rules claim it's if a robot is being pushed against a wall or part of the field. So if you're pushing a robot up the ramp, they may count that as pinning, no matter how gentle.

i would say even going up a ramp the one getting pushed can try to turn and get out of the way unless they are against a wall or tower i dont think they will call pinning.

[spaztec]

1. protect the goals, 2. send balls to other endzone.

a robot dedicated to that would be fantastic.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

I'm kind of curious how refs are going to rule on that sort of thing if you end up tipping or damaging a robot that was never designed to traverse the bumps. Especially if you end up damaging a robot. I know the whole "Build robust" thing, but there's only so much some of the rookies are going to do there.

Truthfully, that probably would depend on if the damage was purposeful or not. I'm not, nor would I ever, advocating damaging another robot (in fact, I talk to my drivers about avoiding damage), but on the other hand there is a level of robot-to-robot and robot-to-field interaction that is to be expected.

Build it robust, and expect interaction. Then go out and have fun.

[Molten]

I have one thing to say for robustness. Build it so you can drop it sideways from 2 feet off the ground. If you can't do that, it's not truly robust. Just remember, any given year tipping is possible. Plan for it and expect it. This holds especially true for years that involve lifting/ramps like this one. I always avoid doing anything that will specifically hurt their robot. However, I've seen some robots that are built flimsy with the assumption that other teams will be careful to not break them. That's not a safe bet. I won't try to hurt you, but I won't try not to. I'm just going to tell the driver to play the game as it was meant to be played.

Note: I'm not a strategy person as usual. 1766 may or may not be using this ideology, however I will bet some team will. Plan for someone to play this way that way they won't have to make the tough call.

[Creator Mat]

According to my teams analysis a good defensive bot is pretty much the same as a offensive bot

the D-Bot wanted abilities

• Able to gather balls quickly
• Shoot balls over hump
• Fast movement to gather balls quicker than opponent

The O-Bot wanted abilities

• Able to gather balls quickly
• Accurate ball shooter
• Fast movement to gather balls quicker than opponent

Practically the same bot, except how the shooter works.

[EncodersRUS]

So whay not design a bot that can shoot with accuracy and range?

[Nawaid Ladak]

Originally Posted by eugenebrooks

Instead of taking them for a ride across the bumps, how about parking
them on top of a bump. Done gently, without robot or field damage,
how is this overly aggressive? The team could just come out and fetch
their robot after the match was over with no harm done.

Eugene

LOL, at the end of the match how would you move the robot off the bump without getting a yellow card?

I saw a great football player on Sunday, I believe he was the main reason his team pulled off the only upset over the weekend. His name is Durelle Revis. He is the best cornerback in the NFL hands down. He is capable of covering even the most explosive players on the opposing team. To be successful in this year's game as a defensive robot. Your going to have to do three things flawlessly. Your goal is to be the Durelle Revis of FRC.

+ Market your robot to other teams as a very strong "shut down" defender.

+ Walk the walk, Play defense on teams in their offensive zone, play goalie, "intercept" balls and kick them back to your offensive partners, etc. etc.

All of these things must be committed to before the qualifying rounds begin. You will not get many seeding points. but if you can make your point to other teams that your a defensive Juggernaut, (and back it up on the field, on tape, and on scouting sheets) then I wouldn't be surprised to find your robot in the finals at a regional/district event.

[wendells]

The game is too short for defence, we will be able to neutralize any robot that wants to play goalkeeper. I feel kicking the soccer ball is key to the match AND TEAM 2185 is developing a kicker that will make David Beckam look like a chump.
I think that that people that are not familar with the game of soccer should get a few DVD's on soccer and watch different matches so they could better understand how to play the game.
Team 2185 will be coming with an attack bot!

wendells
School Soccer Coach