Traits of the Drivers, Coaches, and Human Players

[slickguy2007]

Originally Posted by Corey Balint

Once you have a drive base complete, get the prospective drivers out and make them drive through a course and do some tasks with the robot; eg., weaving through objects, stopping/changing directions on a dime, changing speeds just using the controllers(shows softer hands). For the coach, have the driver blindfolded(if in a safe area) and again, set up a course for the driver to run through. This time only allow the coach to direct the driver(will also show ability of driver too) and see what happens. Also, test the coach and driver with some strategy ideas. My suggestion is watch some matches from last year and have them come up with strategies for/against certain robots, and see which ones sound best/were used the best in the game.

Driver-Fast Reactions, fast thinker, good strategist, great leadership ability(very important because no one wants to see a fool who disrespects others and can make a bad name for your team driving your robot), must obviously know the game, good vision, responsible, good focus, knowledge of your own robot, good hands, and a good listener.

Coach-Very verbal, fast thinker, good strategist, good vision, focus, and the ability to talk to other coaches.

edit-also, both should be able to commit to decisions fast and stick with them. Changing ideas a lot during rounds could end up hurting you.

Listen to Cory, he really knows what he is talking about when it comes to these things. Also, make sure whoever you pick to drive knows that no matter what they do, they should always listen to the coach. The coach is the one who is watching the field and making necessary changes to the strategy. Make sure you pick a driver and operator who always listen to their coaches and don't decide to do what they think is right. Make sure your coach can be heard by everybody. This year it is important because you might be on one side of the player station and you might be trying to communicate with the team on the other side of the player station. Communication is key and having a well prepared team behind that player station is very important.

GO 1403!!!