[Peter Matteson]

1.) Understanding of the rules. If you don't score high enough on the test you don't even get to try out

2.) Natural ability, some things no mater how much you practice you will just never get. The ability to drive just as well going forward or backward is one of those things. Another is being able to see where the gaps will be to cross the field like a great running back.

2A.) Great arm drivers are born not made. I don't understand why this is but every arm driver tryout I've ever seen it was pretty much unanimous who the best was, and they only got better with practice.

4.) Desire to succeed and never give up. Coming in 2nd in tryout 2 or 3 years in a row and still trying out working to get better? You've got the tenacity we want.

4.) Reliable robot. If the robot never works right you will never learn to drive it right and always be compensating for something.

5.) Be unflapable in the face of adversity. In the case a motor stops working or a mechanism breaks can they adapt the strategy to what they still have to work with.

6.) Takes direction from field coach and sticks to the plan. If you don't take direction you won't last long because we come up with strategy for a reason.

7.) Understanding the strategy of the game to prepare for each round knowing your opponents and what you must do to beat them.

8.) Trouble shooting. They must be able to fix the small issues that can come up with the field and setting up the robot while communicating with the refs and FTA if needed.

9.) Communication with the pit crew. If you can't describe or tell the pit crew about problems that you have with the robot they can't get fixed.

10.) Practice without all of the above, is moot.