Re: Driver Stress?
 

In my opinion the driver stress is amplified when you are the captain as well. I as a driver have so much stress put on me this year especially because our team has put so much effort into the competition this year and I wouldn't want to let a bunch of 9th graders hopes down because of some small penalties are simple mistakes.

As a Captain I am responsible not only for the robots for for things like permission slips, t shirts and everything in between. And for these last few days it's been so hectic because the regionals are coming closer and closer. But all in all At the end it's all worth the energy and time we put into the robot to see the looks on my team mates faces when we win a round or two.

I'd like to give a round of applause to all the drivers out there who keep their cool even through stressful times. And another round to our coaches who put up with us and are basically behind the scenes (I had to learn this the hard way since I lost a bet with my coach and ended up in his shoes for two weeks).

I wish everyone good luck at the competition and I hope to see a lot of you at the finals.

Nector

Re: Driver Stress?
 

this is my first year driving and i knew the stress that was going to come with it, the first few matches i was very nervous because of the criticism that i would get whenever we would loose a match
the most stress ever was when we were in the semifinals and i was extremely nervous, i was sweating and i was very nervous, even though we lost it was a good experience and i learned a lot

Re: Driver Stress?
 

"Lord, please don't let me screw up."

At NASA, the "Astronaut's Prayer" was originally created by the astronauts selected for the Mercury project, when the U.S. space program was in its infancy. It summarizes the thoughts, fears, concerns and wishes that run through the mind of every astronaut as the final countdown approaches and they prepare for lift-off. They are sitting on top of multiple billions of dollars worth of equipment, being asked to do a very dangerous job, with the eyes of the world watching them, and the knowledge that if they mess up something it would (at the very least) be a waste of years of effort and preparation (recognize any parallels to a FIRST competition here? :) ). The Astronaut's Prayer is real, and is an indicator that even with the best training, best practice, and best preparation possible, putting people in highly stressful situations will result in, well, stress. The best thing that you can do is recognize that it is there, that you are under stress, and try to use it to your advantage. In that respect, the Astronaut's Prayer is perfectly appropriate as the "FIRST Driver's Prayer" as well.

-dave

Re: Driver Stress?
 

I love driving. This is my 8th year in FIRST (I started young) and my 4th year with a role in the drive team. This year I am controlling the arm. For me, the most stressful part of the entire competition is waiting. Once you've been qued, and you're waiting on stage. The 8-12 minutes that you stand around seems like a lifetime. You can't go anywhere; you can't do anything... except think. The climax for all the pressure is when your team is announced and then the opposing alliance is announced. It's that moment of looking in the opposing drivers eyes and knowing one of you are about to win and you just hope it’s you.

This season so far, the most stressful moment that I had to deal with was at FLRC. I was standing in Red 1 with the rest of my drive team and across the field in Blue 3 was our sister team, 237. It was the quarterfinals, match 1, and all I could think about is playing fair. We had traveled to FLRC with Watertown (237) and I, personally, had become pretty close with several members of the team. Both alliances had been announced and the countdown to Autonomous Mode had begun. I looked at Scott (237), we saluted each other, and the game began. In the end, Alliance #1 moved on into the semis. Team 38 was able to stand along side 237 and cheer them on.

The stress that drivers feel when they know that they can perform well only adds to the game. The relief and joy that is felt after working hard is absolutely amazing. Even when you perform at the top of your game, sometimes it just isn't enough. In the case when you are eliminated from the game, the long walk back to your pit is often ended with a large reception from your team. This is what it's about. Your team knows that you did well and they are proud of you. When the stress builds up, and a sudden elimination takes you from the game... sometimes you want to cry. But when you get back to your pit, and your mentor comes up to you with tears in his eyes, saying, "Congratulations! Well done! I couldn't be more proud of you!.... YEAH TOAST!" it just makes you smile.

From Team 38, I wish all of you the best of luck. Take in the memories that are created at the competitions. Feel the stress, feel the pressure, act upon it and succeed. Your time will come to show the world what you are made of. Take this opportunity and don’t hold back. You will quickly move from a student to a mentor and be that mentor that will never be forgotten.

Re: Driver Stress?
 

When I think about Stress, I think of myself under intense pressure for a long period of time. FIRST competitions are not the only place where I got through a lot of pressure & stress. As of now, I almost feel that the competitions are not really stressful, but rather enjoyable. All you have to do is really think of it differently. It's just a robotics competition. No big deal. If you keep that in mind, possibly you wont feel the stress. Mr. Lavery's post got me thinking about those sorts of intense situations. FIRST is not that intense. I can recall only a few situations where I was actually nervous - The final round of Ramp Riot. The game tied about 4 times -- it was incredible. We won by just 5 points. We were lucky that we herded that one ball with 35 seconds remaining in the match and then went for the hang where two robots were waiting. We hung -- and at the end of the match[after a long delay] we realize we're the only robot hanging because others had some part of theirs touching the ground. I guess the game does get involving, but it was fun. You know what paid off those 4 rounds. It was just that Corey and I kept our calm. We did not panic, or do anything crazy. You get used to it once you have played enough. So on overall, my advice is: Stay calm, and take it easy. It pays off. Trembling and thinking about yourself as being under great stress and pressure does no good[atleast most of the time].

Re: Driver Stress?
 

I can attest to that stress. On the first day of competition out drive program was messed up, making the bot VERY hard to control. As a result we got penalties and didnt do very well. A few members of the team were quoted as saying "your ruining it for all of us".

On the second day we fixed the program and kicked major a$$. it was too late for a comeback. I'm still feeling the stress of the competition.

Re: Driver Stress?
 

On our team, i am the team captain as well one of the drivers. Thats almost double the stress; however, my team and mentors are very supportive, and they know that everyone gives a 110%. I always tell my team members no one is allowed to criticise any member of the team except me :yikes:.

I have a a simple theology that helps me and my team mates reduce the stress: " Its not the result that matters; however, the effort we put in counts". So basically, i beleive that we cannot control the output, so there is no pressure. This helps me relax.

For every driver out there, its always sad to be eliminated or even lose, but i know each one of you gives all you have to drive your best, and there has to be a loser. But in FIRST everyone who builds a robot, shows GP and cheers no matter what happens is a winner, so basically everyone in FIRST is a winner.
And for all team members and mentors, always support you drivers, because untill you beleive in them they cannot beleive in themselves.

Re: Driver Stress?
 

No stress... no stress whatsoever! Ha! Im just kidding and everyone should know. Between our two drive teams at least one person has grey hairs... and that is ME! Only 17 here and four years of driving takes its toll but I'm not complaining.

Re: Driver Stress?
 

Well guys look like i started some duiscusson here. Huh? I am leaving for Purdue tomarrow, all of the stress is gone but now the anticipation is killing me. Wish me and Team 1038 Luck! As to all of the F.I.R.S.T teams

Re: Driver Stress?
 

Stress has always been there. I have noticed that the more you operate, the stress level goes down. After operating for a while, I tend to get in a zone. I guess the most imporatnt thing i've learned about stress is that you can't let it make you a spectator instead of an operator. I think the stress just before a match makes a win that much better.

Re: Driver Stress?
 

[quote=Validius]I can attest to that stress. On the first day of competition out drive program was messed up, making the bot VERY hard to control. As a result we got penalties and didnt do very well. A few members of the team were quoted as saying "your ruining it for all of us".

On the second day we fixed the program and kicked major a$$. it was too late for a comeback. I'm still feeling the stress of the competition.[/QEUOT]


We broke our drive chain during a match in Sacramento. It was very different running with 3 wheels on one side and 1 on the other. I ended up getting stuck into the wall, while at the same time, pinning one of our teamates. Ya, it wasn't a good match. That's the only time that I got yelled at for driving bad; but when I explained that it wasn't my fault they let off.

I find my most stressful moment is on deck, (I usually surpress that by talking strat with the alliance teams). After that it's all anticipation, especiall in the instant after autonomous, but before driver control, when I have my hands on those controls.


My advice is to keep yourself busy. Distract yourself. And whatever you do, DON'T LOOK INTO THE STANDS, (unless it's to catch a glimpse of your gf :D )