Picking drive team?

[stundt1]

Would you want to pick the best team or pick the best people individually?

[roboticsgoof95]

I want to pick people that have great skills driving the robot, but also work together well. Like when i was picked i knew the robot inside out, but the controller was handed to me and said here he will drive you just kick the ball when it comes up. It was all at random, but im just curious if theres a more organized and reasonable way..

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by roboticsgoof95

would it be better to build the chassis first, and make sure that it drives before you continue to build up? or build up and work on the wheel programming later.

Throughout the build, it's a good idea to let the drivers fool with the robot at every stage. If there are issues with the drivetrain, it's easier to fix them before it has lots of contraptions stacked on top it.
It's important to note, however, that the robot handles differently when weights and moments are added to the frame. So the robot won't be as agile in week 5 as it was in week 2.

Originally Posted by stundt1

Would you want to pick the best team or pick the best people individually?

Team. Communication is critical, as is trust. You need a nice, cohesive group that can communicate clearly with each other and with their alliance partners.

[roboticsgoof95]

i love the mechanum wheels, but does it depend in the game in which wheels you use.

Should i keep my eyes open for who works well with who?

[akoscielski3]

Originally Posted by Taylor

Team. Communication is critical, as is trust. You need a nice, cohesive group that can communicate clearly with each other and with their alliance partners.

Completely agree with this. When me and my fellow driver where picked, it was because we were the ones who could talk to each other (without yelling), we would listen to eachother, and when we drove it looked like one person was driving the robot, not two people. Communication is key to a successful drive team! They also need to know how the robot works, if you are driving and something goes wrong, then in the pits you will most likely know what went wrong and how to fix it. This happened a few times this year.

[roboticsgoof95]

Well i doubt ill be on the drive team, but i know what you guys mean. After all they will have more fun if they get along and not fighting. right?

[GCentola]

Originally Posted by akoscielski3

Completely agree with this. When me and my fellow driver where picked, it was because we were the ones who could talk to each other (without yelling), we would listen to eachother, and when we drove it looked like one person was driving the robot, not two people. Communication is key to a successful drive team! They also need to know how the robot works, if you are driving and something goes wrong, then in the pits you will most likely know what went wrong and how to fix it. This happened a few times this year.

Absolutely! This was my first year on the Drive Team, and I was Coach. Our driver had been the driver in 2010 as well. The connection we had during matches was evident, and it made things flow smoothly. Ou operator had the skills, but wasn't the most cooperative, especially under pressure. We switched operators for IRI, and it made a difference.

I think that goes to show that skill is important, but so is the choice of people that have to work together. A Drive Team with skills but no bond will be beaten by a team where there is some connection. Our Coach and driver last year were not huge fans of each other, which made a big difference too. I know it may sound cheesy, but I think it makes a difference.

[roboticsgoof95]

Originally Posted by GCentola

Absolutely! This was my first year on the Drive Team, and I was Coach. Our driver had been the driver in 2010 as well. The connection we had during matches was evident, and it made things flow smoothly. Ou operator had the skills, but wasn't the most cooperative, especially under pressure. We switched operators for IRI, and it made a difference.

I think that goes to show that skill is important, but so is the choice of people that have to work together. A Drive Team with skills but no bond will be beaten by a team where there is some connection. Our Coach and driver last year were not huge fans of each other, which made a big difference too. I know it may sound cheesy, but I think it makes a difference.

so make both equally balanced?

[GCentola]

Originally Posted by roboticsgoof95

so make both equally balanced?

Pick people who can do the job well, and will not crack under pressure. Skills can be developed with practice, but making sure the Drive Team wants to work together is jus as important. A good drive team can save a bad robot, and a bad drive team will ruin a great robot.

[roboticsgoof95]

THANKS!!!

[apalrd]

We put very little emphasis on tryout-type skills.

Building up skills is what practice is for. The skills you have going into practice are usually trainable in a very short time driving a robot, not even this robot specifically. We find that the best drive team works well together, with Jim (coach/team leader), and the rest of the team. This always puts the student leaders in driving positions.

Our previous drive team (Matt+Kitty) drove approx. 200 competition matches together, between their two FRC and OCCRA seasons and off-seasons. They would not have been together had they not worked well together. A lot of that has to do with OCCRA - they led the OCCRA team, drove, and worked many late nights to finish the OCCRA robots.

[roboticsgoof95]

Originally Posted by apalrd

We put very little emphasis on tryout-type skills.

Building up skills is what practice is for. The skills you have going into practice are usually trainable in a very short time driving a robot, not even this robot specifically. We find that the best drive team works well together, with Jim (coach/team leader), and the rest of the team. This always puts the student leaders in driving positions.

Our previous drive team (Matt+Kitty) drove approx. 200 competition matches together, between their two FRC and OCCRA seasons and off-seasons. They would not have been together had they not worked well together. A lot of that has to do with OCCRA - they led the OCCRA team, drove, and worked many late nights to finish the OCCRA robots.

so practice, knowing the robot, dedication, and communication? am i forgetting anything?

[GCentola]

There are a few threads relating to this topic, you may find a lot of helpful info in those ones too. The most recent I can think of is Driver Selection: A discussion (sorry, no link). Everything said on this thread is also very true! Best of luck!


Garrick

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by roboticsgoof95

so practice, knowing the robot, dedication, and communication? am i forgetting anything?

Practice.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by stundt1

Would you want to pick the best team or pick the best people individually?

The best team, hands down.

If the best people don't work together, the best team will beat them. Now, if the best people form the best team, they'll win every time.