[Adam Freeman]

The big things I do as drive coach are:

1. Attempt to keep the plan as simple as possible. These games are usually pretty simple. Setup a plan with simple tasks (ie; you score on this side, we score on that side, score over ubertubes first, then complete logo, etc..).

2. Adjust your plan to your teammates strengths and weaknesses, along with your own. Either know the teams or have scouting data available to look at to adjust strategy.

3. Be honest with teams about your robots abilities. If you can only score one game piece, then tell your teammates that...so they are not relying on you to do more.

4. Keep the drivers calm, relaxed, and confident they will succeed. Make sure they drive/score smoothly. Have them play within themselves....don't try to do too much.

5. Have the respect of your drive team, so they do what you tell them to do. As Paul said...the coach usually knows what to do, but sometimes we make mistakes. But, the drivers need to trust your decisions....there is no time for arguing on the field.

6. Speak loudly. If you ask my drivers, I am a yeller...but, its loud and intense back there....make sure your drivers hear you.

7. Provide a sense of urgency to the drive team during the game. Most of my commands are exactly what they were going to do anyways...but I make sure they do them as quickly as possible.

8. Keep track of time. 2 minutes goes by really quickly when you aren't aware of the clock. This was the hardest thing for me too learn.

9. Trust your drive team to do the right thing, so you can communicate with your partners. This comes from both drive team and coaching experience. It will make your alliance even stronger.

10. Be able to adjust your plan on the fly. Things change out there and you need to adapt. Robots lock up, get a flipped over, have heavy defense against them....be ready to change your plan to do more or less depending on the situation.

I am sure there are others I am forgetting...but, these are my basic plan every match.