Our team is scheduled to compete at the Davis regional on the 22, so the anticipation is getting up there. So I was wondering if those of you that have competed already can give us some advice about the competition. What penalties should we be paying extra attention to? What are some problems you encountered?
Any advice would be very helpfull and appreciated.
The offsides penalty is easier to accomplish than you might think. This is where to coach comes in handy to remind the backbot controllers to stay on the far end of the field. keep them busy there collecting balls so they don’t get bored and wander off 
.
The intrusion penalty is even more dangerous since you are at risk of getting disqualified. i suggest you read update 15
here
I would say watch out for Incursion…it’s a lot easier to get called on than you would think. Also careful on the ramps…it’s a lot harder to get up then once anticipated.
And make sure that your HP’s don’t throw balls unless you are on offense. I can’t count how many times I saw Human Players throwing points away because they would shoot balls and they were on defense.
If you can score, prepare to be pounded mercilessly.
The defense that will be seen in this game will far exceed the physicality of 2003/2002/etc.
And if you CAN score and ARE pounded – pick the most obnoxious defender in your alliance finals. Then they won’t be guarding you, and can take out the lead scorer on the other team (cough 753 cough).
ha ha! I thought that was a good move by the cheesy poofs as well. 753 had nothing but pieces on Thursday. Just goes to show…
Use your time well. Time is short in this year’s game withthe periods and all. If you have a good idea what you want to do at what time and be efficnet and productive you will go far.
If your original strategy is not working do NOT be affraid to change it mid-competition. Don’t keep beating a dead horse saying “we will get it next time”.
Two alliances at VCU that had beat/bangers on their alliance did not have that third shooter. Your better bet than a beater is to pick a shooter that nails 25% shots but has pushing power as well. 1598 was a good example.
Shooters win.
360 was an exelent example of a non-shooter that could win. Via STAMP statistics they were the 3rd highest average scorer in the PNW and all they did was roll. They also had a great defense.
A good strategy is to score at least one point in autonomous, and get up on the ramp at the end. Everything else is not as critical as you might think. Unbelieveable, perhaps, but IMHO true.
Don
The easiest penalty that you can protect against would be making sure everyone in the operator station stays in the marked area, at NJ i saw at least 2 penalties a day all called on seperate teams just because someone stepped out of the area (usually they only call it if they see it happen multiple times)
Also, don’t plan to get any penalties called in your favor, don’t rely on that because at least 7 times out of 10, they won’t go your way. This particularly applies to the excessive defence rules, its a physical game this year, that why they made a big push for bumpers on all robots.
Speaking of bumpers…If you haven’t already put the stuff on your robot, bring material to competition to create bumpers (pool noodles, pre-cut wood, screws, brackets ect.) that way if you want to put bumpers on your robot and you don’t have them yet, you can. Plus you never know you may have another use for those pool noodles…
This was not called at al at the PACNW, just a heads-up.
How much of a problem is it to see clearly? The fields a bit longer than it was last year and from what I’ve seen on videos, more chaotic. Is it difficult to accurately follow the action on the other side of the field?
Also, how much should we rely on the human player to make the balls into the top of our robot? It seems like an impossible throw at some places.