[rich2202]

Our team has always had a Student Coach. It gets one more student onto the field. The Mentors watch from the Stands, sees what happens, and makes recommendations for the next match. There is not much a Mentor can do in the 2 minutes 30 seconds that a Student can't do. In that time, you are executing the plan. There is not enough time to change it. A student is just as capable of keeping the drivers on track. Too many cooks spoil the broth. You have to let the driver drive. If something wacky happens, they have to learn to deal with it. It is only one match. Better to learn during the Qualification Matches, so they will be ready to react themselves during Eliminations.

That said, I have been a volunteer on the Field for the past few years (ref, robot inspector, field reset, etc.). If they did have an issue, I would be a friendly face they would not feel intimidated asking a question.