How do you select drivers?

[HelloRobot]

Originally Posted by artK

Is it to train the future drivers what good teams on the field do? Is it to give drivers a background in strategy?

Personally, I think teams need to have a strategy (what the robot will do, and how it will do it), and their drivers should be able to execute that strategy. Part of the strategy is knowing how to control the "shooter" (whatever moved the 2014 ball, shot the 2013 frisbees, etc.), but they also have to maneuver around the five other robots on the field (and maybe cooperate with others, like in Aerial ASSIST.). In that regard, it would be helpful if they had scouted at a regional (or at least watched a few matches) so they see how teams had to work together. On the other hand, your drivers should be adaptable too. What if one of your alliance partners has an awesome strategy, but your drivers have trouble executing it? That could be a problem.

Generally, at least one veteran member or FIRSTer should be on your drive team so that they have a basic idea of what to do to be successful (and lead newbie drivers). The exception to this would be rookies who have pretty much all newbies. However you decide is up to you though. Every team has its own identity, and what works for one might not work for another. Just be able to have a drive team that works well together and with other.