[MGoelz]

Normally, our team will have anybody sitting in the stands scout. Ideally, we have about 6 people, 1 to a robot. We make up a basic scouting sheet that has areas that we think we need information about. This year, we got into the habit of assigning each of the 6 people to a field position (Red 1, Red 2, Red 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, or Blue 3). This helped reduce confusion before each match. There were times when we had people leave the stands or stop writing the information we really wanted. There were times when individuals on our team were covering two or three robots by him/herself. I think, as we got closer to the end of the season though, more people realized how essential scouting was to our performance on the field.

Try to help them to realize that they are an integral part of the team. A lot of times, I think that scouting isn't looked upon as something glorious, but in reality, it's what prepares you for the next match, and assesses the performance of the robots. It is also good to have someone in the stands that can assess your own robot. It's much easier for a spectator to notice something that would improve your performance in a match, than it is for the drivers or coach to notice when they are out there, under a lot of pressure, and have so many things to focus on already. I think it is just really important to make the scouts understand their job is important. If they feel needed, it is more likely they will willingly and enthusiastically engage themselves in scouting.

Also, I think another way to achieve adequate scouting, is to show how it will help. It is hard as a rookie team or even a freshman or new member to the team to see the benefit of scouting. Give them a challenge to each become strategists. Encourage them to observe what's happening on the field and how you think your team will be able to compete in the next match with and/or against the other robots. It is really amazing when you start hearing all of these options and ways to prevent/outscore/overcome your opponents for that particular match. I know our team relies heavily on the scouting to know what to expect before a match.

I think that once you are able to get a few more scouting, and really encourage them, they will start to see how much they learn from scouting. At first, when I started scouting, I wasn't really sure why, or what I was doing, and I had no idea if I would enjoy it. Now I can say, I absolutely love scouting. It is part of a competition, and you learn so much about other robots and teams, and start learning in-depth differences between robots. I can now differentiate between different drivetrains, understand some of the intricacies of various arms/lifts, and most of all, I admire and appreciate every robot that takes that field, because they have accomplished something, and I'm able to learn from what they have done.

Of course, this is FIRST. You can only do so much to get them involved and can only push them so far to understand the importance of all of this. Some of it is self-motivation. If they don't have the desire to scout, then it is going to be their loss--nobody else's. They will be the ones missing out on one of the greatest aspects of FIRST: interacting with other teams and learning from experience.