[Zuelu562]

I'm also in the same boat as the original poster (I am a senior, rules efficianado, likely operator or coach). Observing things from previous years (and being in the Alliance Station last year at Battlecry as Human Player), here's what I can offer.

Don't lose your cool, ever. Be calm, don't get overexcited or down; it will kill your ability to help your alliance. I'd rather have a coach who stood there giving a command every 15 seconds or so, but was calm and collected over a coach who's running at 300 miles an hour because they're too excited. It's the coach's job to be the calm one in the Driver Station.

This doesn't apply specifically to the Original Poster, but know the rules inside and out. You're going to be watching the whole field, and subsequently you're going to be noticing subtle things that can win you games if you know them. Knowing how an opponent gets a penalty, yellow card or even red card for their action is huge. Make sure you know when the opportunity to make a move that you're safe in arrives, and also make sure your drivers aren't making mistakes about rules.

Share. I'd play most of quals (personally) acting if the alliance I'm on is our final alliance pick. Keep the information flowing to your alliance, especially with the possibility of Analyst to Feeder signaling. If a team is thinking about not picking you, make sure it's not poor communication that seals your fate.