FRC Regional More Matches

At most FRC Regional Events, teams get 9 to 11 Qualifying Matches. Everyone there is trying to get teams the most number of matches possible. The Field Reset volunteers, the Team Queuing volunteers, the Referees, and the Field Technical volunteers are working as fast as they can to start the next match. 

Teams have a huge influence over how quickly the next match can start. They can help the event by getting on the field and off the field quickly and safely. It is easy to do, if you plan for it. Today's reality is that most teams don't plan for this part of the competition.

When entering the field, use the following procedure:

  1. Lift
  2. Cart
  3. Enter

When leaving the field, use the following procedure:

  1. Exit
  2. Cart
  3. Gently

Each event will set up their own traffic pattern for robots moving from Team Queuing to and from the field. The challenge is working with the gates on the same side of the field as the Scoring Table. There is no room to maneuver Robot Carts on this side of the field. Teams need to prepare to enter on this side of the field, as well as exit on this side of the field.

These procedures require three individuals from the team. The best ones are the Drive Coach, Driver, and Technician. If the team has a flag, this needs to be an additional person working independent from placing the robot in position.

Entering

When entering the field, start by pushing the Robot on the Robot Cart straight along the side of the field and stopping in front of the Gate. Don't get too close to the gate. 

Lift

Two individuals get on either side of the cart and robot, and perpendicular to the field. These two people lift the robot off the cart, and hold position.

Cart

The third person pulls the cart straight back out from under the robot. This clears the path for the person on the far side of the field.

Enter

The two people holding the robot proceed straight through the Gate and onto the field. While one person will be walking backwards, going through the Gate in this manner provides the greatest amount of clearance with the Gate and is the safest way to get the robot onto the field where there is room to maneuver.

As soon as the robot is on the ground, power it on. It takes some time for the roboRIO and the Radio to boot up. Getting power applied before aligning the robot means the robot will connect to the Field Management System (FMS) quickly. 

Exiting

After the Match, wait until the field is Green and it is safe for people to enter. In the 2022 Season Rapid React, as with all games with climbing as part of the End Game, teams need to carefully remove their robots in collaboration with their Alliance Partners. With Rapid React in particular, there is very little room in the Hangar, so robots are removed from the outside to the inside. Work with your Alliance partners to help everyone get their robot out of the Hangar smoothly and safely.

As soon as the Match is done, one person needs to go to the Cart and be prepared to move it into position. Keep an eye on the field to observe in what order robots will be exiting. Only get in position when it is your turn to exit. 

Exit

Two people need to be on the field to power down the robot and release pressure in the pneumatics system. They will lift the robot and exit through the Gate with one person in front of the other. There is not enough room to get through the gate sideways.

Cart

The two people holding the robot should stay in a line perpendicular to the field, just as they exited the Gate. The person with the cart needs to push it under the robot and between the two people holding the robot.

Gently

Once the cart is in position, gently lower the robot onto the cart. Most carts have supports that need to go in specific positions under the robot to make sure the robot stays in place as the cart is taken back to the pits. Talk as a team and make sure the robot is secure before moving the cart and robot away from the field.

If you move away from the field and are not comfortable with how the robot is sitting on the cart, make sure you're out of the traffic pattern for your Alliance Partners. Then reposition the robot on the cart. You will be driving the cart over cable protectors in the venue. Be careful going over cable protectors and doorway thresholds.

A printable PDF of the images is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vIr1f_Uf2OHuMhoPAzDnGTQskDb2qCSt/view?usp=sharing

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