Why only one ball?

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

You clearly haven't seen footage of 2008. There was a fairly large number of robots that could get those balls around the field multiple times a minute.

Multiple times a minute, yes.

BUT

Even 2008 World Champion team 1114, with Simbot SS being arguably the most dominant robot in FRC since 71 in 2002, was only consistently doing 6-7 hurdles in a match.

I expect that a top team flying solo in 2014 will be able to achieve 6, maybe 7 1-assist cycles. Top alliances at championship will be lucky to push 5 3-assist cycles in a match.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by austin4169

I would think more time would be spend with human players running around with balls outside the field than will be spent with the balls being controlled by the robots. Did I get something wrong? thoughts?

HP's better not run around outside the field, unless they want to rack up FOULS.

3.2.7.9 G39
During the MATCH, TEAMS must remain in contact with the area of the FIELD (ALLIANCE STATION or HUMAN
PLAYER AREA) in which they started the MATCH. Exceptions will be granted for inadvertent, momentary, and
inconsequential infractions and in cases concerning safety.
Violation: FOUL

[AwesomeCoding]

Originally Posted by austin4169

It seems like only one ball is in play during the teleop period, which really doesn't make any sense:


I would think more time would be spend with human players running around with balls outside the field than will be spent with the balls being controlled by the robots. Did I get something wrong? thoughts?

The point of having one ball is to add emphasis on teamwork.
With only one ball, you have to work with your alliance members.

[Zuelu562]

Originally Posted by AwesomeCoding

The point of having one ball is to add emphasis on teamwork.
With only one ball, you have to work with your alliance members.

Precisely. Lets say we had 3 balls in play. If all 3 robots could score, that's WAY faster than trying to get a 2 assist truss cycle, and you get the same points. Cycles and speed of them will be important. I'm expecting minimum 3 2-assist cycles for a decent alliance, and I wouldn't be surprised to see upwards of 4 or 5 2-assist cycles for a very good alliance (I would put a 3-assist truss catch cycle at 3-per-game for a very good alliance)

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Zuelu562

Precisely. Lets say we had 3 balls in play. If all 3 robots could score, that's WAY faster than trying to get a 2 assist truss cycle, and you get the same points. Cycles and speed of them will be important. I'm expecting minimum 3 2-assist cycles for a decent alliance, and I wouldn't be surprised to see upwards of 4 or 5 2-assist cycles for a very good alliance (I would put a 3-assist truss catch cycle at 3-per-game for a very good alliance)

... and this is WHY there is only 1 ball. It forces teamwork (which I believe is a good thing).

Cycles and speed are very important, but in this game strategy and teamwork will determine winners far more than just machine design.

[c.shu]

I think the reason there is only one ball is to level the playing field.

By only having one ball it prevents one stellar robot from dominating the competition all through qualifications. A team of 3 average bots can overcome the one by using a little bit of teamwork. Therefore, the great bot will need even better teamwork if they want to win. They can't do it by themselves.

In a sense, this teaches us we can't do it alone, but we need to use those around us to succeed.