Best striker

[jblay]

I was wondering who people thought were the best strikers of the year so far.

My favorite so far is 34.

[Joe Ross]

359 has won two regionals already, playing almost exclusively from the striker position. They have an 8 wheel drivetrain that is strong, fast, and maneuverable. They were the running away with the #1 seed by the middle of Friday at Arizona. Our scouting had them scoring about a ball a match more then anyone else. In one match, they scored 11 balls.

Going into the Hawaii regional, they'll have far more experience then anyone else. I expect them to seed very high, pick up a great midfielder and dominate the eliminations.

[Adam Freeman]

910 is one of the best I have seen.

With a wide bot configuration and top/bottom ball magnet, they easily clear the home zone.

During the Kettering District eliminations, we had a hard time getting enough balls from midfield into the home zone to keep them busy.

When provided with enough balls they are capable of scoring 8-10 by themselves, if not more.

[jamie_1930]

I was very impressed with 20. In one match they had a robot blocking the goal and they shot it right above them and scored, as they did several more times that match.

[ExTexan]

910 is one of the best I have seen.

Although Adam likes 910, I've watched them both, up close and personal, and I would give the edge to 67 for pure shooting. They've got variable power (I believe) and a sharper aim than 910. Both are pinchers and 910 can herd more in and does shoot very well. But what he failed to mention was that 67 had a hard time clearing the midfield quickly enough because there were two bots trying to stop him most of the time and 910 sat alone some of the time! Both great bots!

[Chris is me]

I'll put in another bid for 20. Swerve drive combined with improved possession and a smart kicker that lofted over most short defenders spelled trouble. I was going to suggest one of the robots on my alliance add a big hunk of lexan to the top of their robot solely to beat team 20 if we advanced to the semifinals.

Though keep in mind I've seen so few robots in person I can't really be a fair judge.

[Ed__]

I like team 294 I think they do very well in the striker class

[BJC]

I too was at Kettering and watched them put every ball in the home zone away. Defense didn't really seem to affect their performance. That said any good robot can be a striker. 217 comes to mind, even though they don't have a variable kicker and would generally kick it off the target above the goal if they tried to shoot from most positions in the home zone. They still found their nitch in the home zone anyway. Their awesome at herding balls into the goal and are more effective then they probably would be from the middle or far zone.

1114 and 67 on the other hand, are probably more effective in the middle zone because of their ability (forgive the basketball saying) to turn and shoot then do it again and again and again.

However, I have not seen and really amazing defenders that can consistantly kick balls all the way down to their home zone to be scored.

It seems that for the most part once a ball is in your home zone it doesn't come out until its scored.

My 2 cents

[BJC]

Originally Posted by ExTexan

But what he failed to mention was that 67 had a hard time clearing the midfield quickly enough because there were two bots trying to stop him most of the time and 910 sat alone some of the time! Both great bots!

That was our alliance, lol. The first match we kept 67 fighting for balls and won 7 to 9 with our (33's) hanging points. However, I'm not really sure what happened in the next two, we got destroyed. lol

This was mostly due to 910's ability to score every ball they could get their hands on, so I conclude that 910 is about tied with 217 for best striker I have seen.

[ExTexan]

This was mostly due to 910's ability to score every ball they could get their hands on, so I conclude that 910 is about tied with 217 for best striker I have seen.

BJC, I don't disagree with almost everything you said and indeed, the Bees are pretty impressive shooting also as well as 27 Rush. It seems all the teams that pinch the balls manage to shoot well.....wonder if there is any correlation?

I had pointed out to all that would listen that your strategy of doubling 67 was a great one and "watch the next match, they will close it out with a great strategy". I also don't know what happened except HOT got those balls to Foley and with no defense, easy scores.

Regardless, my aging and weak memory still insists that 910 herded a lot of the balls in, kicked a few at the last moment to avoid me calling carrying ! Bottom line, 910 scored better than anyone else could with their wide mouth, awesome driving, good kicker and good pincher. However I don't think their kicker could have done what 67 did with their kicker.....besides 67 scoring 3 from the back zone in auto with their kicker....only once but that's because they wouldn't line the balls up like I told them. They promised better performance at Wayne State