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Unread 18-02-2010, 11:01
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Kims Robot Kims Robot is offline
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AKA: Kim O'Toole Eckhardt
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Re: How did your team determine drivers?

I thought I was having deja-vu and then realized I was thinking about last year... there is a lot of good information in this thread, and Im sure there are others as well.

There are a lot of key factors in selecting a good drive team, some of ours are: Chemistry (can they work together??), Strategy, Skill/Talent, Communication, Seniority, Involvement, Attending all Competitions, Maturity.

Its best if you can test out combinations of drive teams at offseasons or pre-ship scrimmages, you can see who works well together, which coaches are listened to, who listens to the coaches, who sees the whole field/focuses when they need to, etc.

Our best driver/secondary combination was a pair that didnt even have to talk, they just instantly knew what the other was doing (this is rare). Our second best constantly talked things out, they would communicate a lot and listen to the coach. Two incredibly skilled drivers that can't communicate or wont listen to the coach will be useless to you.

Above all, know what the roles are...
Coach: big picture view, looking at the entire field ALL of the time, watching the clock, knowing where the team needs to be next, communicating with other coaches, etc.
Driver: Controls where the robot is driving and only focuses on your robot, relies on the coach for outside information, is aware of any issues with the robot.
Secondary Driver: Usually controls auxiliary functions of the robot, must be in constant communication with the primary driver. Again only focused on your robot.
Human Player: This year ONLY watches the goal/ball chute & other human players. Should NEVER be watching your or any other robots or may risk delaying the return of the ball.

Each should be very comfortable in that particular role and know that they aren't responsible for the other roles. Communication is KEY.
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Kimberly O'Toole Eckhardt <3
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