Score Discussion

[builderguy135]

v=sqrt(2gh)

This assumes you have a frictionless ball sliding down the ramp, and so all the gravitational potential energy is available for the kinetic energy of the center of mass. You don't, and it isn't. The ball rolls, and so some of the energy is converted to rotational energy instead.

d = v^2/g is fine, but setting 0.5mv^2 = mgh is not. When you include the rotational energy that the ball must have, your expression is 0.7mv^2 = mgh,
which gets you d = (1/0.7)h

Oh, that's probably right.

[scottK2019]

To get higher score, you may need to start with a Polycarbonate tube with smoothly bended 45 degree at one end. The start end would be straight with 5-10 degree tilted from vertical direction. You can learn how to bend the Polycarbonate tube from youtube. Then jump 35-45mm, with similar setting at another end but with wide opening. You need to make sure the receiving end with an angles which near the tangent dropping curve. Then ball would keep more energy (you can see how high the ball reach at the receiving tube). Repeat the above and adjust the height for next two.

Good luck, guys.

[jander14indoor]

Michigan State Tournament Score Summary
60 teams, all participated.
39 in tier 1, 18 tier 2, 3 participation points only.
- tier 2 predominantly due to oversize, often by only a few millimeters to no real advantage. The second highest score of the day was tiered.
Second leading cause was something not labeled. There were some tier 1 teams that lost gaps due to no labels.
- Participation was due to no safety glasses.
Top 6 teams had gaps
- Slauson Middle School had the top score (congrats): 568 points.
- Range of gaps was from 63 cm for #1, 48-36 cm for #2-#6. Five teams had three gaps, one team had one really long one.
- Only one of top 6 teams had a height less than 59 cm
- Five teams were within a few seconds of the time target of 52 seconds.
Low/no gap accurate time teams were 7th, 9th and 10th
- 6-9 cm in height
- 1-5 seconds from the time target.

Coaching points!!
- Make sure your device isn't too large!! WAY to many devices that fit, did so JUST barely to no real advantage. Especially when you get points for lower and tie breaker is overall length and width!
- LABEL everything as it says in the rules! Go back and read carefully what is required of the labels!!! Review the check sheet on the National site to see what the event supervisors are looking for.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[SOcoachB]

Jeff,

That's a lot of detail about particular devices considering Nats is coming up. Maybe better for a post-season discussion than right now?