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

[KrazyCarl92]

Originally Posted by rachelholladay

As drive coach, I also often had a rather odd role post-match. We have had the instance (which I'm sure almost everyone has had) where the drive team gets back the pit after a not-so-great match and everyone not on the drive team wants to say what they thought could have been done differently. I don't really blame them, but situations are seen differently from behind the glass then up in the stands. On the occasions where our mentors have wanted to admonish at the drive team, I have had them tell me (as drive coach) rather than then hassle the drivers directly. Then I process the information and try to give the advice to the drivers in a more calm and applied way. Call me maternal, but I like to protect my drive team from being yelled at.

This actually isn't that odd of a role. It is very important for the Drive Coach to be able to diffuse frustration toward the drive team (it happens) and redirect it to become constructive feedback which will help the team perform better. Emotions run high at competition, and that is exactly why it is important for the Drive Coach to remain level headed and respectful as much as possible throughout competition. At times, it is even best for the Drive Coach to sort of "take one for the team" and take the blame for a decision on the field whether or not it was the best decision with the available information at the time and whether or not it was actually their mistake. This serves to keep unnecessary pressure off the drivers, and the Drive Coach should be someone who can take that kind of heat and roll with it. Sometimes the team just wants someone to blame and the drive team happens to be very visible.

Being on the drive team is all fun and games, until someone on one's own team takes it upon themselves to yell at the drivers.*

*It's actually not always fun and games; lot's of mind-numbingly repetitive practice.