Scouting FRCScouting FRCCompetitive Analysis at FIRST Competitive Analysis at FIRST CompetitionsCompetitions

Who am I?Who am I?

Tucker GordonTucker Gordon

Flaming Chicken (2009-2013)Flaming Chicken (2009-2013)

1540 Co-Captain (2011-2013)1540 Co-Captain (2011-2013)

Head scout (2009-2011)Head scout (2009-2011)

Competitive Analysis Manager (2011-2013)Competitive Analysis Manager (2011-2013)

OverviewOverviewWhy scouting?Why scouting?

FRC Competition StructureFRC Competition Structure

How to scoutHow to scout

Pre-CompetitionPre-Competition

Pit Scouting and Webcast ScoutingPit Scouting and Webcast Scouting

Match ScoutingMatch Scouting

Alliance SelectionAlliance Selection

Final thoughts / Q+AFinal thoughts / Q+A

Why is scouting Why is scouting important?important?

One team can make or break an allianceOne team can make or break an alliance

Requires relatively few resourcesRequires relatively few resources

Opportunity for lots of members to get Opportunity for lots of members to get involvedinvolved

Essential for alliance selectionEssential for alliance selection

Leg up on the competitionLeg up on the competition

FIRST rankings are unreliableFIRST rankings are unreliable

Judges like itJudges like it

Scouting Procedure:Scouting Procedure:

Pre-Competition ScoutingPre-Competition Scouting

Pit ScoutingPit Scouting

Match ScoutingMatch Scouting

Data and CommentsData and Comments

Consolidating and PickingConsolidating and Picking

Pre-Competition Pre-Competition ScoutingScouting

Lots of teams go to 2 regionalsLots of teams go to 2 regionals

Find ones that you’re competing againstFind ones that you’re competing against

Watch them and take notesWatch them and take notes

TheBlueAlliance.comTheBlueAlliance.com

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regihttp://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-eventsonal-events

Pit ScoutingPit Scouting

Thursday afternoonThursday afternoon

Basic informationBasic information

Height/weightHeight/weight

AutonomousAutonomous

Preferred positionPreferred position

QualityQuality

Drive trainDrive train

Match Match Scouting:Scouting:

(Mostly Friday)(Mostly Friday)

Methods of Scouting:Methods of Scouting:

Lots of paperLots of paper

Smartphone/tablet appsSmartphone/tablet apps

SpreadsheetsSpreadsheets

DatabasesDatabases

Paper-based ScoutingPaper-based ScoutingLogomotion:Logomotion:

Breakaway:Breakaway:

Smartphone/Tablet Smartphone/Tablet Apps:Apps:

Databases:Databases:

CowscoutCowscout

Blue AllianceBlue Alliance

Cheesy ScoutCheesy Scout

Roles:Roles:

At least 8 scoutsAt least 8 scouts

Shifts make people happyShifts make people happy

1 or 2 supervisors in stands1 or 2 supervisors in stands

Manage shifts and communicate to drive Manage shifts and communicate to drive teamteam

1 or 2 managers (can be supervisors)1 or 2 managers (can be supervisors)

Compile listCompile list

Executive decisions on listExecutive decisions on list

Things to TrackThings to Track

Every matchEvery match

Match scoreMatch score

Points scored by each teamPoints scored by each team

Auto vs tele-opAuto vs tele-op

Position (starting and during match)Position (starting and during match)

Other pertinent statisticsOther pertinent statistics

Making a Pick-Making a Pick-List:List:

Data ManagementData Management

Master spreadsheetMaster spreadsheet

Sortable with different statsSortable with different stats

Written comments!Written comments!

Develop a formula (ax+by+cz...ect)Develop a formula (ax+by+cz...ect)

Helps to create ranking scoresHelps to create ranking scores

Friday NightFriday Night

Hold a meetingHold a meeting

Bring anyone who’s interestedBring anyone who’s interested

Make picklist subject to changeMake picklist subject to change

Mark teams to watch on SaturdayMark teams to watch on Saturday

What’s in a Pick?What’s in a Pick?

First Picks:First Picks:

ScoringScoring

AutonomousAutonomous

End gameEnd game

Second Picks:Second Picks:

DefenseDefense

AutonomousAutonomous

End gameEnd game

Ranking Teams:Ranking Teams:

Go team-by-teamGo team-by-team

2 Lists: First picks and second picks2 Lists: First picks and second picks

First run-throughFirst run-through

Eliminate teamsEliminate teams

Narrow list down to 23Narrow list down to 23

Rank top 23 teamsRank top 23 teams

Strategic Preparation:Strategic Preparation:

Look at current FIRST rankingsLook at current FIRST rankings

Who could pick you?Who could pick you?

Will you say yes or no?Will you say yes or no?

Make listMake list

The Pick-ListThe Pick-List

Paper or tablet (make sure internet is off)Paper or tablet (make sure internet is off)

Picker = head scoutPicker = head scout

Ability to cross off teams that have been Ability to cross off teams that have been pickedpicked

Include 3 lists:Include 3 lists:

First picksFirst picks

Second picksSecond picks

Yes/noYes/no

SaturdaySaturday

Observe robots and adjust pick listObserve robots and adjust pick list

Don’t need to do heavy scoutingDon’t need to do heavy scouting

Chance for scouts to relax and have funChance for scouts to relax and have fun

Beware of admirers!Beware of admirers!

Don’t be an admirerDon’t be an admirer

SaturdaySaturday

Have your head scout make your picksHave your head scout make your picks

Knows the mostKnows the most

Don’t be afraid to say noDon’t be afraid to say no

Story TimeStory Time

Final Thoughts:Final Thoughts:

Look at Chiefdelphi.comLook at Chiefdelphi.com

Scouting can make or break youScouting can make or break you

Lots of teams don’t do itLots of teams don’t do it

Getting everyone involvedGetting everyone involved

Questions?Questions?

gordont@catlin.edugordont@catlin.edu

Email me, I love this stuffEmail me, I love this stuff