[EricH]

Originally Posted by Orthofort

This isn't exactly related, but I've noticed few teams don't have an adult coach, just an extra student.

In the cases where the robot is only controlled by one driver as you described, would the team have to specifically designate a coach prior to the match? Or could they just do whatever they want as long as only 3 of the 4 students manipulate the game pieces or the robot?

The coach can be a student. FIRST is VERY clear on this.

The team does in fact have to "designate" a coach. It's very, very simple: Whoever has the badge with the dot on it (yellow dot this year) is the coach. If a person wearing the dotted badge is handling totes or litter, it's a foul. If they're driving the robot, the robot is disabled on the spot. (And yes, I did have to call one of those this year. Thankfully it was an early practice match.)