This is not a comprehensive list of things a coach should do, but more a couple of the more important skills.
Pre-competition:
- If you have inexperienced drivers, then you will need to practice with them. A lot. This requires a significant time commitment to get to know them, the game, and your robot. Work with your drivers to learn how you want them to execute.
- Learn what type of motivation your drive team needs. Do they need to be motivated or calmed down? Match how you coach to what they need.
Strategy:
- Understand the game. The best coaches really know the game and the best strategies. This mostly comes from seeing lots and lots of matches. See what teams of similar ability are doing and what is winning matches for them.
- Be honest. Know your teams strengths and weaknesses. Don't give inaccurate information about your team (ie; offensive or defensive abilities). Have scouting data available to backup your claims. If your team is limited, work with your partners to develop a strategy to put your alliance in the best position to win.
- Know your partners strengths and weaknesses. Examine the scouting data on your partners so you can develop a winning strategy.
During a match
- Know the clock. The first couple matches will seem to be over before they start. 2:00 minutes goes pretty fast at first. Get used to the time it takes to complete typical game tasks. Eventually this will become second nature.
- Communicate clearly with your drive team. Execute what you agreed to do.
- Work as an alliance. Communicate clearly with the other coaches. Let them know if you need help or if something is not going to plan. Make sure they know if you aren't going to be able to do what was agreed upon.
It seems everyone has a different style of coaching...and most of them can be successful. There is no...one perfect coaching style....well outside of mine.
Good Luck. To me, its the most enjoyable experience in FIRST.