KnightKrawler's Top 10 Tips

What to do and look for at a 2020 FRC competition


1. Pay Attention to Autonomous

During the first 15 seconds of every match, drivers are required to keep away from the driver stations as their robots drive with pre-programmed code. This year, robots start the game on the opposite end of the field from their driver stations. Keep an eye out for robots that score all their power cells (balls) during autonomous — this can give teams a head start before the teleoperated (driver controlled) portion of the match.

2. Robots Can Score Match Points and Ranking Points

MATCH POINTS

During Autonomous, robots can earn points for moving from the "Initiation Line.” At all times during the match, robots attempt to score balls called “power cells” into the Power Port located at the opposite side of the field. Teams recieve one point for scoring into the bottom port, two points for the outer port, and three for the inner port. Another way to earn match points is by spinning the Control Panel at the correct time, recieving 10 points for rotation control and 20 points for position control. During the last 30 seconds of the match, also called "endgame," robots move to the Shield Generator to climb. Alliances recieve five points for parking, 25 points for each robot hanging, and an additional 15 points if the switch is balenced. The alliance with the most match points when the match ends wins!

RANKING POINTS

Ranking points determine a team’s overall place in the qualification matches. They can be earned by completing three stages to energize the Shield Generator (see number 3), receiving 65 or more endgame points from climbing, and winning or tying a match. There is a max of four ranking points available to each alliance every game.

3. Watch For Shield Generator Stages

Alliances recieve a ranking point if they complete three Shield Generator stages. The first one requires nine power cells to be scored and the autonomous period to end. Stage two is completed when twenty additional power cells are scored and a spinner called the "Control Panel" is spun three to five times. Finally, the third stage is activated when another twenty power cells are scored and the Control Panel is spun to a specific color.

4. Some Robots Can Hang

If an alliance has two hanging robots and the Generator Switch is level or three hanging robots, they earn a ranking point. They also earn match points for hanging on or parking under the switch, which can help them win the match.

5. Two Alliances Made of Three Teams Play at Every Match

Two alliances play in every match: red and blue. Each alliance during qualifications contains three randomly-selected teams. After qualifications, the top eight ranked teams choose alliances to compete with for eliminations.

6. Teams Can Receive Penalties That Award Points to the Opposing Alliance

Teams can make penalties during a match for certain illegal actions. Usually, a referee will wave his or her flag to signal a penalty. Depending on the type a penalty, referees will award a certain number of match points to the opposing alliance.

7. Visit The Blue Alliance Website or Download The Blue Alliance App on Your Phone to See When You or Your Student’s Team Will Play.

Scores and rankings at The Blue Alliance are updated in real-time!

8. The Scoreboard Can be Confusing. Here’s What You Need to Know:

TEAMS

Numbers and icons of teams are shown on the side as well as their rank and whether they went up or down in the ranking.

TOTALS

The total score of each alliance is conveyed in the middle, and it specifies which team won. Ranking point totals are shown in the bottom corners. There are icons below the totals symbolizing the different ways to earn a ranking point, and if the icons are highlighted, the team has scored that point.

POINT BREAKDOWNS

At the bottom of the scoreboard, point breakdowns are shown. This specifies points for each section of the game as well as penalties of the other team. These points are added up for each team’s total score.

In Quarterfinals and later, the scoreboard looks slightly different, as shown in the right image. Ranking points are not counted in these matches, so the bottom corners will only show the trophy icon. Individual team ranking is also not recorded, so the ranking next to the team is not there.

9. Visit the Pits to Chat With Teams and Collect Buttons

The pits are the area where teams keep their tools and work on their robots in between matches. If you want to check them out, ask an FRC student to show you the way. Don’t forget to pick up a pair of safety glasses at the entrance! Also, most teams will give out buttons at their pit, so you can start a collection.

10. Cheer With KnightKrawler!

KnightKrawler cheers are used in the stands. One person will lead them, usually the mascot, and you can follow along! When you hear the words, respond with the bold ones.

  • 20! 52!
  • Let Me Hear You Holler! KnightKrawler!
  • Deep Down in Robotics Jungle You Can Hear KnightKrawler Rumble: Hoo Ha… Hoo Ha!

We have cheers aimed at the entire alliance as well, not just our team. This is cheered in the same rhythm as the “let’s go (team)” cheer in baseball.

  • Red Alliance *five claps*

In addition to these cheers, KnightKrawler likes to cheer for our alliance partners, especially in eliminations. These cheers will be the same as KnightKrawler’s “2052” cheer, but with other teams' numbers instead of ours.