Quote:
Originally Posted by thisOrrthat
Instead of basing it on skill, I think drivers should be picked based on 5 categories, Character, knowledge of the rules, knowledge of there robot, ability to handle stress, and communication skills.
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Here's the only problem I have with those requirements: we
already require that from our students. All of them. And if a student lacks any of them, chances are he or she isn't on the team anymore by the time we choose our drivers.
I don't think SPAM is unique in that we lose a certain percentage of our students throughout the school year. Usually it's a time thing: they can't do SPAM
and all their other extracurriculars
and keep their grades up. But sometimes it's the stress of all we have to accomplish in such a short time period. And sometimes they just don't gel well with SPAM's culture - we're kind of an odd bunch.
So, by the time driver selection rolls around, I'm looking for 2 things in a prospect: skill and IT.
Skill is easy to quantify through time trials and obstacle courses. You can acquire skill through practice. Last year's driver's have an edge if they're still on the team, but there's a chance a phenom rookie could unseat them.
What is IT? IT is a killer instinct. A cold-bloodedness. A desire to do what it takes to just
win. You're the QB with a minute and a half left, down by 4, ball on your own 35, no time outs, and you need this win to make the playoffs. Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, full count, two outs and you're at bat. You're on the free throw line with 2 shots, down 1, 2 seconds left on the clock. Finals Match 3, you need the win to qualify for Champs, 15 seconds left, if you make this triple balance you start booking hotel rooms in St. Louis, miss it and you start planning your first off-season demo at the library. IT is clutch. IT wanting the sticks in your hands -
knowing they
belong in your hands - when everything is on the line.
Tytus hit the nail on the head. A driver with IT will magically "materialize" behind the controls whenever it's time to do some driving. Programmers tuning the PID? Traction test with different tread material? General driver practice? If there's one kid who just happens to be there every time, take notice.
But IT is rare. You don't get a driver with IT every year. I've had the great pleasure to work with a handful of driver's with IT. I won't mention names because I don't want to embarrass anyone (but seriously... We're about to play on
Einstein in front of 15,000+ people and he's critiquing the quality of the drum line... smh).
Skill is reliable. Measurable. Skill will take you far. But be on the lookout for IT.