1 Improving Your Alliance Performance Team Scouting and Working Together September 6 th, 2014 FTC Season Kickoff Thomas Gill

Overview Scouting Pit Scouting Match Scouting Championships Scouting Working with Alliance Partners 2

Why scouting? Saves precious match time Figure out which teams’ strategies compliment your own Get to know other teams 3

3 Types of Scouting Pit scouting (Start RIGHT AWAY At Competitions) Match scouting (Observing Matches) Pre - Championship Scouting: for State, Super Regionals and Worlds 4

Pit Scouting Get a basic idea of team’s strategies and abilities Get a first look at the other robots Get to know other teams 5

Pit Scouting Example [See Example] 6

Match Scouting Evidence of what teams can do in action Get scoring info for drive team Get ideas for future robot improvements 7

Match Scouting Example 8

Pre-Championship Scouting The Internet is your best friend! Good Sites: Yellow Alliance Youtube Team Websites 9

Pre-Championship Scouting Example Excel Spreadsheet 10

Talking to alliance partners before matches Example: Block Party Autonomous: Which side? Who delays? How Long? Teleop: Which side for blocks? Any Defense? End Game: Who Spins? Who Hangs? Double Hang Defense? 11

Talking with alliance partners in the drivers box Job for (student) coach If you see a scoring or defensive opportunity, point it out! For example: “That team is scoring a lot of points. Could you play defense?” Always be gracious If you see the need switch up the game plan, let your alliance partner know 12

Any Questions? 13