Drive Coach Training

[Joe J.]

Originally Posted by Madison

-- insulate the drive team from EVERYTHING else. After a match, everyone and their sister will have questions about performance, strategy and on-field play. Your job, above all else, is to insulate your drive team from all of that criticism and acclaim. Keep them level-headed and on task. Sometimes, this means taking blame for stupid decisions.

-- Relax. You have to remain calm so they remain calm. Calm drivers are good drivers.

These are probably the two most important things the Coach can do.

I've been a Driver where the Coach did not insulate any "feedback" from the rest of the team, that was not fun. As a Coach I've also had other team's mentors try to corner my Drivers to express their displeasure with the alliances decided strategy.

On top of these its also important for the Coach to keep a positive attitude and keep the Drivers in a positive attitude. Nothing kills a teams spirit like seeing their Drivers and/or Coach looking upset or disappointed on the field.

Personally I like to see the Drivers run the strategy and match prep and act more as a back stop

Lastly its also important to meet with your Drivers after every competition and go over things gone wrong & things gone right, but mostly thank them for their hard work.