Slam dunk contests

FIRST General Forum
1

Posted by Mike McIntyre, Coach on team #47 from Pontiac Central HS.

Posted on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST

You know how the NBA surrounds its All-Star game with spectator-thrilling contests like the slam dunk? What would you folks think about a few additional exhibitions at the FIRST Tournaments? It could take place during the intermissions, like before the eliminations begin. It would give the majority of teams that are not in the finals another chance to showcase their machines. Possible contests could be: fastest machine, quickest to get on the puck, quickest to load and elevate 10 floppies, or maybe even a human player contest like the NBA 3-point shootout. Is there support out there for this kind of exhibition?

2

Posted by Dan, Student on team #10, BSM, from Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Banner Engineering.

Posted on 3/9/99 8:39 PM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

Yeah! Sounds cool. I think this was mentioned last year too, but machine exhibitions would be pretty cool. If you haven’t done so, mention this to Lori. I can think of any logistical problem this may encounter, just have to make sure you get lunch too.
The human player contest would be fun as well, I’ve been practicing for weeks and I haven’t had the opportunity to even attempt a cross-court shot. And maybe my blindfolded double-floppy cross-court shot will be rewarded after all. :-Dan

: You know how the NBA surrounds its All-Star game with spectator-thrilling contests like the slam dunk? What would you folks think about a few additional exhibitions at the FIRST Tournaments? It could take place during the intermissions, like before the eliminations begin. It would give the majority of teams that are not in the finals another chance to showcase their machines. Possible contests could be: fastest machine, quickest to get on the puck, quickest to load and elevate 10 floppies, or maybe even a human player contest like the NBA 3-point shootout. Is there support out there for this kind of exhibition?

3

Posted by Dodd Stacy, Engineer on team #95, Lebanon Robotics Team, from Lebanon High School and CRREL/CREARE.

Posted on 3/9/99 9:36 PM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

Great idea. I’d like to see a segment on straight out free form stunt driving. Highly maneuverable machines that stand up 10 feet tall ought to be capable of all kinds of wheel walking tricks, and I know there are plenty of hot drivers out there! I can hear the engineers and coaches howling - shut this guy up! Who can go the longest/furthest on two wheels? On ONE wheel? Roll and right without help? Give any team that wants it 30 seconds free on the floor to show their most outrageous stuff.

: You know how the NBA surrounds its All-Star game with spectator-thrilling contests like the slam dunk? What would you folks think about a few additional exhibitions at the FIRST Tournaments? It could take place during the intermissions, like before the eliminations begin. It would give the majority of teams that are not in the finals another chance to showcase their machines. Possible contests could be: fastest machine, quickest to get on the puck, quickest to load and elevate 10 floppies, or maybe even a human player contest like the NBA 3-point shootout. Is there support out there for this kind of exhibition?

4

Posted by Mike Kulibaba, Student on team #88, TJ², from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional and Johnson and Johnson.

Posted on 3/10/99 10:02 AM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

It sounds like a great idea, I’m definately for it

5

Posted by Keith of team #131, CHAOS, from Central High School sponsored by Osram Sylvania.

Posted on 3/10/99 5:09 PM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

I couldn’t think of a better idea to get every team involved in the competition than through your idea Mike… I think that would be very entertaining and would be one of the highlights of the comp… good thinking Mike… now it just has to run through to the leaders of FIRST… An obstacle course type of contest would be really cool… I myself love driving the robot through obstacle courses for a change of pace during practice… any other comments?

6

Posted by Joe Johnson, Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 3/10/99 6:42 PM MST

In Reply to: Just the right touch posted by Keith on 3/10/99 5:09 PM MST:

I agree with all you folks that such competitions would be great.

I think that it would be especially great with the current format. I propose that the gang of 16 not be allowed to compete in these auxiliary competitions.

Further, I think that some sort of self nomination / peer nomination combination be used to determine which teams compete. Perhaps a team would have some votes that would allow them to nominate themselves while teams could also nominate other teams. Some sort of formula could be worked out that would allow teams to get in to a competition provided that they meet some base criteria. Additionally, even if a team doesn’t self nominate, enough peer votes could draft them. I am sure that something could be worked out that makes sense. This could even make the picking process more dramatic because more teams would have a stake in the outcome, beyond just making it to the elimination rounds (“If team XYZ gets drafted, then we have a shot at winning the flimflamery competition”).

One more thing, if FIRST announced some/most/all of the Show Off Events at the kick off, some teams may tailor their machines to excell at these Show Off Events. I think that this would add a new dimension to the design problem, one that I think would be in the long term best interest of FIRST.

But…

I know that much of this has been proposed to FIRST in prior years. For one reason and another, they have not adopted it.

FYI, Ken Patton of GM Powertrain (team leader of the awesome Huskie Brigade, Team #65) even went so far as to propose (wuth his management’s support) a Powertrain Award with a specific tractor pull type contest conducted by GM Powertrain volunteers, but the proposal was not accepted.

So…

We face an uphill battle on this one. If we really think that it is an idea worth going after, then we should all work together to make the case to Dean, Woodie, the folks at FIRST and the Board of Directors for FIRST as well.

Anyone up for tilting at windmills?

Joe J.

7

Posted by Sean Perkins, Student on team #131, CHAOS- Central High and Osram Sylvania, from Manchester High School Central and Osram Sylvaina and Fleet Bank.

Posted on 3/10/99 7:41 PM MST

In Reply to: contrary opinions exist posted by Joe Johnson on 3/10/99 6:42 PM MST:

I think that if anyone obliges to this show off competition, they should
speak now; I have yet to of heard anyone say ‘no’, neither do I expect
anyone to. I, myself as a human player, am all for it. I would just be
afraid of killing the competition against me, and no one would want to
take me on!! (sense the sarcasim???) LOL, just trying to make the
competition more exciting, dont take it seriously. Also, if anyone knows
the list regarding who is attending the Ct regional, please let me know,
your help would be much appreciated.
Good Luck to All, Sean Perkins, CHAOS, Team 131

8

Posted by Joe Johnson, Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 3/10/99 8:07 PM MST

In Reply to: Re: contrary opinions exist posted by Sean Perkins on 3/10/99 7:41 PM MST:

I hope that I didn’t give the impression that there is only one side to this Show Off Event concept.

I happen to agree with the majority opinion on this forum, but other people (some in positions of power over the future direction of FIRST) do not.

I concede that reasonable people can disagree about this. FIRST has a focus that they must not loose sight of. Some feel that these extra events would not be in the long term best interest of FIRST.

I have been very clear that I do not share this opinion, but I don’t mean to imply that they are evil or anything like that.

If we are to get this into the FIRST program, we need to overcome these objections with reasoned arguments.

Regards,
The Voice of Reason,

Joe J.

9

Posted by Sean Perkins, Student on team #131, CHAOS- Central High and Osram Sylvania, from Manchester High School Central and Osram Sylvaina and Fleet Bank.

Posted on 3/10/99 8:40 PM MST

In Reply to: people of good will disagree – though not me, at least not this time posted by Joe Johnson on 3/10/99 8:07 PM MST:

how about the reasonable agument that no one that participates in this
competiton that they run for us (the regional and national competitions),
disagrees with having a little fun during the competiton in an event that
lets those who posess special skills and/or imagination use them to their
fullest extent.
I believe that it would give us, the kids, a chance to take a breather
from the competition itself (which we all know is very pressuring, living
up to the standards we set to achieve and help make our wonderful
sponsors look good at the same time)and let loose on the robots we helped
build. Sure there would be risk involved, but there is risk in
everything we do. Plus, no one would absolutely have to participate if
they didnt want to. They could be nominated by other teams as you suggested,
but, they dont have to run a risk. I think we have a strong argument.
Thanks for the idea Joe, this site rules.
Good luck to all again,
Sean Perkins CHAOS team 131

10

Posted by Keith of team #131, CHAOS, from Central High School sponsored by Osram Sylvania.

Posted on 3/10/99 9:09 PM MST

In Reply to: contrary opinions exist posted by Joe Johnson on 3/10/99 6:42 PM MST:

What does FIRST care? This is just a fun, educational event… it would be nice to sit back, relax, have some fun, and see some pretty nutty things that robots can do… I’m sure there are a lot us out there who have found some cool things we can do with our robots… but are afraid to do during competition because, well… it’s a TWO minute COMPETITION… no time to fool around… once again… this would add just the right touch to the comp…
-Good deal, KEITH

11

Posted by Steve Smith , Student on team #131, Chaos, from Central and Osram Sylvania.

Posted on 3/10/99 9:18 PM MST

In Reply to: What the… posted by Keith on 3/10/99 9:09 PM MST:

WAAAAAAAAAA, my whole team, is going psycho with posts, what’s going on???

12

Posted by Tom Wible, Coach on team #131, chaos, from central high school manchester and osram-sylvania.

Posted on 3/10/99 8:39 PM MST

In Reply to: Just the right touch posted by Keith on 3/10/99 5:09 PM MST:

I think we are on to something here. Whatever it is, it should be a half-time type of show, which is entertaining and educational. Here’s my idea, instead of just having someone behind closed doors decide which team is going to recieve certain awards, make a contest out if it. For example, have the finalists in the most photogenic robot category gather for a showdown using crowd applause as the deciding factor. Or have some awards given out which have been created to fit this new “contest live” type of format. How about a student operators and robots only, obstacle course, which is only unveiled then. Tests the brains and cooperation of each team member in a new way. I’m having visions of drivers driving their robots blindfolded with other team members telling them were to go. I know, some of these ideas are weird, but I’m brainstorming. Any other ideas out there?

Tom Wible

13

Posted by colleen, Student on team #126, Gael Force, from Clinton High School and Nypro.

Posted on 3/10/99 6:28 PM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

i think something like that would be a great idea. sometimes with all the stress and pressure of the competition, speaking from a driver’s perspective, you forget how fun it is to control your robot. why not have a little obstacle course set up, nothing that would break anybody’s bot, but speed, efficency, accuracy… maybe even a few one-on-one matches to see how everyone fairs. i think it would add the right kind of levity(sp?) to ease the tension of competition…

i’m definitely for it…

14

Posted by Andy Grady, Coach on team #42, P.A.R.T.S, from Alvirne High School and Daniel Webster College.

Posted on 3/10/99 7:14 PM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

I think that these special contests would be great, after all it worked at Rumble at the Rock II.

15

Posted by Andy Baker, Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 3/11/99 9:31 AM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

Great idea!

Another “show off” competition could be much like a tractor pull
contest. We could put various weights on a puck (1,2,3 or 4
students) and see if there are robots that could push or pull the
puck with all of that weight on it.

Although we were very slow in Chicago (only our low gear was
in working order), we pulled the puck around pretty well. In
low gear, it’s scary how much weight our TKO robot can pull.

Regards,
Andy Baker, Team #45

16

Posted by Tim Murray, Student on team #126, Gael Force, from Clinton High School and NYPRO inc…

Posted on 3/12/99 2:35 PM MST

In Reply to: Slam dunk contests posted by Mike McIntyre on 3/9/99 8:20 PM MST:

: You know how the NBA surrounds its All-Star game with spectator-thrilling contests like the slam dunk? What would you folks think about a few additional exhibitions at the FIRST Tournaments? It could take place during the intermissions, like before the eliminations begin. It would give the majority of teams that are not in the finals another chance to showcase their machines. Possible contests could be: fastest machine, quickest to get on the puck, quickest to load and elevate 10 floppies, or maybe even a human player contest like the NBA 3-point shootout. Is there support out there for this kind of exhibition?

I definitely agree with that! that would be a great idea and a huge tool to help FIRST develop!

17