Training New Drivers

[AdamHeard]

We don't really spend any time with obstacle courses or skills tests, I feel this is a backwards process.

Being part of the drive team is a long and complicated process that is far more involved than just driving matches (at least on 973, we're a small team). Drivers are responsible for tuning/learning the robot's functionality, and then obviously driving it. This requires effective teamwork, communication, time involvement, the ability to handle pressure, the ability to thrive on feedback and criticism, and many other things.

Once we've narrowed down by the above requirements (usually just the ability to handle pressure and criticism), there are few candidates left. We then use the offseason drive practice and events as a testing ground for the remaining students. Since we run multiple robots and go to multiple offseason events, we can test out about 2/3 of the team any given year (which is often more than are interested in even trying it). This also is kids driving full events, not just a match, so it's a much better experience.

The amount that any team hoping to be competitive should practice is enough that a driver who is better at handling pressure but initially fails the obstacle course should prepare that driver with the skills needed. It's very difficult to teach a kid to not crack under pressure, much easier to teach how to drive.