This is one of these things that would be either a really good or a really bad idea.
Every year FIRST spends a lot of time making sure the game is challenging enough that the old teams are challenged and easy enough that the rookie teams are not left in serious trouble.
When you look at the setup of the weeks you can see there is a one week space between the ship date and the first set of regionals.
So what do you think of the idea of having that become “rookie week?” I have heard mentors say that sometimes they feel like the FIRST build season is too long but I have never heard that from a mentor during rookie year. Letting rookie teams spend that extra week with their robot could do wonders for them.
It could be nice for the older teams as well. During that one week older teams could send assistants to the rookie teams without having to worry about losing hands on their robot. They could lend the teams tools. Giving rookies an extra week would mean that the overall game could be geared to a tougher level.
The only real setback I see is the technical setup of getting two different ship dates. It would also mean a little less sleep for rookie teams that have the first week’s set of regionals. Still I am guessing most rookies would call that a good trade and I think the idea might be worth something.
The one other problem with a rookie week is that FIRST needs the crates at a certain place at a certain time, which conveniently can be done in that window. If the logistics could be sorted out, though, I’d dig it.
I think it would be a good idea, but I am also a little unsure about it.
I think it would be good because it would even out the playing field even more from rookie to vet teams. The only reason I am not 100% for it because it could cause alot of trouble with shipping, costs and stuff. Also I can see people having problems with some teams having extra time and a cheating issue could arise.
I don’t know who said this, but it wasn’t anybody on my old team. The build phase was never long enough, no matter how old the team was. I personally have no problem with the idea, but I can see where it could cause other problems with shipping and overall organization.
If I had unlimited time, money, etc. here’s what I personally would do as a gesture of “gracious professionalism” for all rookie teams.
I’d go out and rent a warehouse and pay to create a practice field for rookie teams. I’d repeat this in certain geographic areas where there is a large population of teams.
Then, the week before robot ship date, I would host a Rookie Rally, where all the rookie teams can bring their robots for a “dress rehearsal” competition and spirit get-together.
Then, I’d help the rookie teams get their robots crated and delivered on-time to the drayage company for shipment to their first regional.
***BY the way, the team I’m on did indeed do #2 and #3 for ALL the teams in our area…and we are a rookie team.
So, the things you can do as a rookie team to “take charge” are limitless. ps: stay tuned for “rookie news” from Atlanta (tune-in here tomorrow)
[quote=dhitchco]If I had unlimited time, money, etc. here’s what I personally would do as a gesture of “gracious professionalism” for all rookie teams.
I’d go out and rent a warehouse and pay to create a practice field for rookie teams. I’d repeat this in certain geographic areas where there is a large population of teams.
Then, the week before robot ship date, I would host a Rookie Rally, where all the rookie teams can bring their robots for a “dress rehearsal” competition and spirit get-together.
Then, I’d help the rookie teams get their robots crated and delivered on-time to the drayage company for shipment to their first regional.
***BY the way, the team I’m on did indeed do #2 and #3 for ALL the teams in our area…and we are a rookie team.
All I can say to that is WOW :ahh: I Think that is an awsome idea, and i think that it would help a lot of rookie teams. Keep up the good work.[/quote]
Theory 6 1241 won it this year at Greater Toronto and it is their second year.
I guess I will be the first to disagree with “rookie week”. I was captain of a rookie team last year, and an extra week would have done us wonders. However, I am against it, because in this past year, 1353 learned from our rookie year, and drastically improved. By giving teams an extra week their first year, the next year, it would seem like they are starting over because their build season would seem so different.
Also, there are many teams who do outstanding in their rookie year, many times thanks to the help of other teams, previous FIRST students, mentors, etc. Maybe instead of “rookie week” we can have a Help-A-Rookie Day where veteran teams take a day off building their own robot and visit a rookie team in their area.
I am in total agreement with shyra1353. While a nice gesture, and good thinking on the part of GP… I dont think this would make things any more fair. I would venture to guess that 90% of the rookies these days are not true rookies. My team is an example. I am not a rookie, and we have three other mentors who were previously on FIRST teams for at least a year. Harris Corp has also sponsored a team in the past (73). So while we have a rookie number 1511, and all of our students are true rookies, they are getting help and guidance that is well beyond a rookie team.
Same with many teams I know. If a rookie team does not have someone who was previously involved in FIRST, they are likely to have a team that is mentoring them.
This is very very evident in the caliber of the rookie teams this year. So many rookie teams are going above and beyond building robots. So many rookie teams have really great robots, many rookie teams have seeded in the top ten, many have selected their own alliances, and even a few have won regionals.
So I would have to say keep it fair, give them the chance to struggle with timing. Actually to tell you the truth, based on our scrimmage, we had more rookie robots that were complete than veterans!
But great idea, and thanks for thinking of the rookies
