Tips for New Teams

I though it would be smart to start a thread with tips for new VEX teams.
Here are some that our team has found over the 4 years we have been in robotics:

  1. If the robot burns out while in a match, let it sit for a few seconds to recover.
  2. Keep your engineering notebook up to date, by filling it out at every meeting.
  3. Go your own direction, don’t always make the same robot everyone else is.
  4. Do skills at regional and state competitions as a fall-back to qualify for the next tournament.
  5. Scout early during tournaments.
  6. Read the entire rule book at the start of the season.
  7. Don’t use mecanum wheels.
2 Likes

Why number 7?

1 Like
  1. Don’t just start throwing parts together. At the beginning of the season take maybe even a couple weeks to brainstorm what will work best. Also, prototype EVERYTHING!
2 Likes

Because they stall/jam a lot, and have a lot of friction.
You could just use omni wheels at 45 degrees, and it would be better.

2 Likes

Here you go, a document that was started before VEX was born, and is still updated regularly: http://www.roboticseducation.org/documents/2013/06/101-things.pdf

2 Likes

Here is one, don’t listen to older teams.

1 Like

That’s not always true; but I can see where your coming from :stuck_out_tongue:

1 Like
  1. Try a simple design before attempting anything big. Don’t try to copy the best guy in the competition right away because it probably won’t work like theirs did.
1 Like
  1. Help each other and fellow teams out. Vex is all about having fun while learning.

I lied. Vex is also competitive, but that fosters critical thinking skills.

1 Like
  1. Know the manual like the back of your hand (Granted, with as many scars from robotics as I have on my hands, I’m not sure I know them all that well any more).

  2. File down the edges of your robot or you get scars on the back of your hands. Cut zipties can also hurt.

  3. Be willing and ready to argue with referees, but iff (not a typo, if and only if) you are certain you know the rulebook.

2 Likes

Haha

2 Likes

lol

1 Like
  1. Sleep… a little bit… After worlds…

  2. Talk to people. Knowing the people in your region really makes a difference in alliance selection. Also, get their contact info on fb or the forum etc. Banking off each other’s ideas will motivate you to innovate.

  3. Drink lots of water at compitetions. Helps you make better decisions.

  4. Don’t fix it till it’s broke…

2 Likes
  1. Once you get a working robot completely take it apart and rebuild it better.
1 Like

21 Have fun.
22 Water Game

1 Like
  1. Create a game plan with your allies for each match. Knowing what to do results in your alliance playing more effectively, and may help you eek out a win from a stronger alliance.

  2. While scouting, try to find flaws with your opponents’ robots. They can be used against them in a match. (It’s the secret to my team’s scouting strategy)

  3. Robots with memes on them instantly become twice as memorable.

1 Like

[quote=“Grystrion, post:16, topic:40174”]

  1. Robots with memes on them instantly become twice as memorable.
    [/quote]
1 Like

I love 27C. Best team in the state imo.

1 Like

I was like, “WTH do you mean 127C? But I don’t want to be presumptive and ask that.” Then I got the joke. The 1 is still showing!

1 Like

Wait wait wait … you’re not from 27C?

When a team’s reached the level in the state that you have, they’ve earned the right to be presumptive, at least within the state.

1 Like