[FRC Blog] - Rookie Registration and On-Field Coaches

[Kimmeh]

Note: One of the objections I have heard to adult coaches is that they can sometimes be extremely disrespectful toward student coaches on their alliance, to the point of bullying.

I'm extremely glad this was brought up. My first year out of high school, I was the drive team coach of my current team. A friend of mine (also not a student, but not "obviously" out of high school) was the coach for his team, and the two of us were on an alliance with a Highly Respected Team (HRT).

Prior to the match we all discussed game plans and felt confident about how the match would go. Murphy's Law being what it is, things didn't go according to plan. Once on the field, the coach of the HRT let his emotions get out of control and was yelling at not just his students but both mine and the other team's students because things weren't going according to plan.

Neither the other coach nor I took this to pit admin or did anything about it. I later discussed this with another mentor on my team who agreed with my opinions of the coach of the HRT. I disagree with yelling at students in general, but if that's how your team operates, then you're well within your right. Unless one of my students puts you or someone else in great danger it's not your place to lecture or yell at them. Come to me and let me do that.

On that note, a two and a half minute interaction with him continues to impact my thoughts and feelings towards his team.