On field Coach - Student or Adult

[dellagd]

On 2607, since our rookie year, we have had a student coach for two reasons.

First of all, the position of coach is seen as a great opportunity for students to build really good leadership skills through the interactions with the drive team and other teams. One main reason that I see teams using an adult coach is that it is a unique mentoring opportunity for the 3 students on the drive team, which is completely true. This, however, doesn't allow a student to grow into that role, to lean in that role (learn very applicable life skills I might add). There really isn't any other position that gives that sort of experience for students in FRC.

Also, having an adult be a coach on the field can be a bit intimidating for some students. Having an adult yell out things at you, a lot of kids kindof shutdown or stop thinking. When it's a student, the relationship seems more natural where the drivers converse and contest about the decisions of the coach (not necessarily on the field).

And, for the obligatory "don't hate" line: Just my two cents