Our team has found it the most helpful if you set goals for individuals, groups and even the whole team. This might sound cliche, but having a list of things to do and accomplish makes it a lot easier to be productive.
177 has different sub teams, each led by a student. Each week, the teams set goals saying what they wish to accomplish. We find it the best to set "tasks" to people to give them something to complete. For example, our video team is working hard on a video just for fun and promotional purposes. But the students are motivated to show the team their final product.
Also, during the last week or two before kickoff, we're going to have a presentation night when each sub team gives a presentation of all they've accomplished pre-season. The idea that the rest of the team is interested in what you've done will give the students more motivation to want to give a meaningful contribution to the team.
If you think there is nothing for the team to accomplish during pre-season, then make up projects to do. look at other teams websites and see how you can improve yours. Have the students actually plan the fun night so they feel like they have a contribution to the team. Brainstorm new ways to get the team together, think of new promotions the team could make. And if worse comes to worst, clean the shop
I know thats what our mechanical team was doing the past couple of weeks!
I know my first year in FIRST I was completely lost, and it was hard to be productive because I didn't know what to do. Perhaps once build season comes, the excitement and adrenaline is there, and students will be more interested in learning something new. If not, then maybe FIRST isn't for them.
JMHO
-Kim