[Madison]

I've been drive coach for awhile -- about 14 years now.

This is what I've learned, in short form:

-- trust your drivers.

-- give them the big picture. My coaching often involves giving them simple information like "balls on the left."

-- be commanding; know everything there is to know about your partners and opponents so you can drive the alliance strategy. This isn't tee-ball; we're out there to win and that sometimes means you have to do things that aren't glamorous.

-- insulate the drive team from EVERYTHING else. After a match, everyone and their sister will have questions about performance, strategy and on-field play. Your job, above all else, is to insulate your drive team from all of that criticism and acclaim. Keep them level-headed and on task. Sometimes, this means taking blame for stupid decisions.

-- Relax. You have to remain calm so they remain calm. Calm drivers are good drivers.

I am an alliance coach; I try very hard to make sure all three teams are aware of what is going on and know how to play to the strengths of one another. That means that I communicate a lot with our partners, telling them what we're doing, what issues we're having and what I'd like for them to do. I have a, um, forceful personality and so I'm often loud and assertive. Some folks don't like that, but it is what it is.