[Siri]

I won't tell you the right way to do this, but do consider that off-seasons aren't just about winning, and they're also not just about practice. Sometimes, they're about tryouts and familiarization.

On the one hand, I may have a great at-meeting driver, only to find out s/he can't or doesn't want to handle the stress of an actual competition. (If they can't do this at off-seasons, just wait for Worlds.) This is worth finding out early, but not at an official event or high-caliber off-season (read: IRI).

On the other hand, you may find that someone originally uninterested in driving gets completely addicted to it after a few matches, and becomes part of your future Einstein ticket.

On another hand (foot?), you might have two excellent at-meeting drivers, only to find out that, while neither buckles under pressue, one utterly excels under it.


As a three-year driver and three-year-and-counting coach, these are all far from unheard of circumstances. Each can help with inspiring students (FIRST), in addition to helping your team win. Just a thought from someone who's been around that block for a little while.