[Phyrxes]

I usually handpick my scouting team from students that are interested in learning strategy. I farm out the picture taking to our media student(s) and usually ask our spirit folks to keep an eye on crazy stuff happening in a match (robot on fire, flipped, serious damage, etc.)

This year I snagged a couple of freshmen who have done VEX for a few years (thank you middle schools!) so they required very little prep time for me handing them a robot information sheet and turning them loose in the pits on Thursday. They were done by 10 AM and as a bonus we had a list of robots they felt would probably need outside intervention to pass inspection.

I can usually get an apathetic student to scout a few matches in the stands by leaning on them but its not a good solution.

My suggestion is look at your underclassmen and try and pull them into the prospect of scouting early, don't make it an "oh hey we are at the venue decision."

An off-season event is perfect for giving them a trial run.