Team captains first regional, what to do?

[HarveyAce]

I'm the team captain for 3329 as well as on the drive team (there is only three of us). I was wondering if anyone had any good advice for this here team captain on his first regional... Thanks in advance!

[Sb28000]

As my team's assistant captain in my 2nd year on the team, I would tell you to remember the unique atmosphere at a FIRST competition. If your team experiences mechanical problems or needs any assistance, parts, or tools, many other team at the competition will be able and willing to help you with anything you need. Last year, in my first year, I was Safety Captain and spent most of my time in the pit. Know ahead of times that things may seem hectic, but a well kept list of upcoming matches, such as on a whiteboard, is very helpful. Also, don't neglect getting something to eat and taking some breaks for your mental health. Although you may only be able to squeeze in a few minutes here and there (especially becuase of your team size), it will be a mjor help to you throughout the Regional. Good luck at your Regional, and remmeber that winning is not everything, nor even mostly everything. Winning an award at the competition is not the reason to compete. The pure experience of FIRST, the spirit of friendly competition, and the incredible amount you can learn from mentors, teammates, and those you meet is truly the focus, as well as spreading the message of FIRST. Try to have some fun and remember that even if your team does not seem to be scoring well, it does not mean the competition has been for nothing.

Sam Becker
Team 2656 (QUASICS) Assistant Captain

[Chris is me]

Well, since you only have 3 students, that is far easier than managing 20!

Your scouting isn't going to be up to par, since you don't have anyone to do it. Not much you can do about that, unfortunately, so ask around early for help with getting scouting data for compiling a "pick list" Friday night. I'm sure a team will be willing to help you!

Keep focus and get inspected early, at least partially.

Good luck!

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Your scouting isn't going to be up to par, since you don't have anyone to do it. Not much you can do about that, unfortunately, so ask around early for help with getting scouting data for compiling a "pick list" Friday night. I'm sure a team will be willing to help you!

3753 is planning on using the Cheesy Scout system and making our data public at the Peachtree regional. This means that if you have an internet connected phone, or an internet connection on Friday night when making your picklist, you can get access to our data.

Check out this thread for info on the system. Team 254 will be entering data for the San Diego regional this weekend, I recommend going onto the site and getting familiar with accessing the data.

[Shmee]

As a third-year captain, I don't really know what to tell you. Regionals can be hectic, but they can also be so much fun, as long as you don't let the pressure get to you. Yes, you'll have frantic periods of working on the robot, heading off to matches, running around the pits looking for tools...but just remember: everyone at the competition wants to help. That's the spirit of FIRST, the gracious professionalism that every team strives for. So my advice is: relax, have fun, and remember that everyone will do their best to help you as long as you ask. In the end, what you learn coming out of the competition and how you think back about it are what stay with you, not the craziness.

And since we'll be seeing you at Peachtree, feel free to come to talk to us (FIRST team 2415, the Wiredcats). We're more than happy to help

See you soon!

[Matt Krass]

Have fun.

No really, everything else will fall in line as long as you keep your head on straight and make sure you laugh, and have fun. Do what needs to be done, but make sure you're having as much fun as you possibly can, and then some more. Fun and adrenaline make you waaaaaaaay better at robotics. Proven fact.

Matt

Did I mention fun?

[HarveyAce]

HAHA, I meant that we have only a three man drive team lol. we have about thirty people going on the team. as for scouting, we are teaming up with Walt, Kell, and the Flying Platipi for a scouting alliance at Peachtree. I'm not worried about losing or winning, I just want to make sure i do this right. It's also my last year in high school, and I want to set this team up for success in the future. Thanks guys for the help!

[ghostmachine360]

Originally Posted by HarveyAce

HAHA, I meant that we have only a three man drive team lol. we have about thirty people going on the team. as for scouting, we are teaming up with Walt, Kell, and the Flying Platipi for a scouting alliance at Peachtree. I'm not worried about losing or winning, I just want to make sure i do this right. It's also my last year in high school, and I want to set this team up for success in the future. Thanks guys for the help!

That reminds me, I still need to send you the invite to the scouting database.....

But, here's something I've learned from three-years as a captain. Don't overwork yourself at the competition. Find a time during the day to really just take a deep breath and relax for 30 minutes. It makes everything else become easier at the competition. And Sam put everything else perfectly.

Also, my team (CircuitRunners Robotics, #1002) will be there; so if you need any help with stuff, we'll help you guys out.

- Kyle J.

[Vikesrock]

Ah, in that case I have some different/additional advice.

It will be much easier to keep the team focused and productive if the roles and expectations are known before the event.

Before the event go over the agenda with your team and talk about what is happening when.

It sounds like you already have your drive team figured out. Figure out who will be the "Pit Crew" working on 'bot between matches. Identify 2-3 people who will talk to Judges, at least one of these people should be in your pit at all times, even during your team's matches.

Have at least 1 person who will be returning next year and preferably more bring a camera and notebook to the event. Have them spend some time walking around the pits and talking to teams about their robots and taking pictures. This "mechanism library" and accompanying notes may be helpful in future years.

[HarveyAce]

Thanks guys, i'll remember that. We are planning on bringing a camcorder to make a video log of all of our matches, and of potential alliance partner matches. we had a pre-event meeting today in which i discussed with the people who actually showed up the week 1 match data and what I saw over live feeds, it seems that myself and the two others on the drive team are the only ones doing the gruntwork. Whe we get to the competitoin on thursday, we three hae to show the rest of the team an overview of the bot and how we built it since none of the others actually came to help build it. Over the 5 hr. ride to Peachtree we are going to be breaking the team up into their respective groups, I actually wanted to do this today but not enough people actually showed up to the meeting to make an effective roster. Also, does anyone know of any good places to get ppts on various educational FIRST things, be it mechanical, electrical, team structure, etc...? I'm going to be running some classes and workshops after competition for anyone on the team next year so we aren't scrambling over the fall to try and educate the rookies.

[ghostmachine360]

WPI Think Tank

http://thinktank.wpi.edu/Portal

One of the greatest sources ever.

[Bethie42]

Second time giving this advice to someone today: make a to-do list.
I'm lead programmer, team captain, scouting captain, and Chairman's Award head.......yeah, we have a small team and I'm the only person who's competed before.

I suggest making a to-do list [or several] of everything you need to do, showing people the ropes, checking hardware, briefing sub-teams, making a schedule of all your matches, -oh dear, it's your first regional. Are you a rookie team or have other people on the team been to regionals before?

In that case, prepare to have fun I went to my first regional in junior high and was hooked...
There are several threads around here that give great advice on regionals [here's one].

I'd emphasize:
-Comfortable shoes, as a member of drive team you will walk MILES.
-Scouting can be very helpful long before eliminations: I try to brief the drive team on their opponents and alliance partners.
-Protein bars or something like that are nice, because if you're anything like me you'll never take a break to eat [although I recommend not eating much right before a match] Oh and stay hydrated, at Championships last year I remember a kid keeling over in the bushes because he hadn't drunk enough water.
-Try to have a quick team meeting at the end of every day, especially Friday, to talk about strategy and generally debrief
-Talk to other teams, especially the ones near you in the pit. The friendships you make at regionals are important.
-This year I want to have one of those little video cameras you wear on your hat....must record my last regional as a student!
-Batteries! Every year there are a few robots whose batteries fall out and drag pathetically on the ground while the drive team even more pathetically watches the match. Make a nice secure case for your battery if you haven't already. I've also heard of teams zip-tying their battery connectors together before each match and that sounds like a good idea to me.
-If you have a custom-made minibot deployment mechanism that grips the pole, or a Lexan tube-gripper, or any part like that that is going to be going outside the frame of the robot, make and bring a spare.
-Read the team updates. The latest one has key points about communications, the router, and driver station versions.
-Hopefully you've already read this CD thread, about lessons learned from Week 1 regionals. It's got everything from strategy to communication problems to scouting. Pay special attention to anything that talks about the FMS, communication, and the DAP/router/radio/wireless bridge.

Can't think of anything else...except do make to-do lists, lots of them. I find they both help clear one's brain in pre-regional stress, and make everything a lot more efficient at the event. GOOD LUCK
[Oh and have fun. A regional event is the most concentrated fun you will ever have in high school, in my opinion.]

[Phoenix Spud]

Remember what FIRST stands for--"For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology." That's the most important thing that will happen at the competition, the inspiration. 20 years from now, no one (or at least very few people...) will remember who won your regional. What they will remember is how it changed their lives.

So, compete like crazy, act like a GP at all times, and give it your all! At the most stressful moments (and there will be stressful times...) remember what FIRST is about and you'll do fine!

Good luck and have fun!