Training New Drivers

[jijiglobe]

We set up 'strings' or rankings during the off season through watching our members practice and seeing who looks the most promising. Then we put our drivers to the test on the field at an off season event. It's important to remember that someone who is super good at driving around obstacles in the lab can freak out and lose their cool on the field. Remember the most important thing is that your driver knows ALL the rules. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that only 100 teams in all of FIRST do this. Read them, reread them, rereread them. Drivers should be able to tell you what the most common fouls are and how much each one is worth. In short the driver has to be good at driving, good under pressure, and willing to put a bunch of meticulous work in. Good communication helps too.