Traits of the Drivers, Coaches, and Human Players

[AmyPrib]

What we normally try to do is have the tryouts like everyone has mentioned. If there are many potential drivers/ops/HPs, try to narrow it down to 2-3 max per position before your first Regional.

You can have them practice and go through many driving tests and obstacle courses, but the "real" test is at an actual competition.
If you so choose, and you are going to more than one Regional and feel you can do this, you can have your narrowed down candidates try-out during competition at the first Regional. You can then narrow it down even further, hopefully to your "final" driveteam, either during that Regional or after it's over.

If you do this, you might find some characteristics (better or worse) in the candidates under "real" pressure at a "real" competition. A student may drive very well, and seem very calm at the shop when you're running them thru tests, but when you get to competition, they may crack.

[Kevin Kolodziej]

As a former driver turned coach, I can't really think of much else that hasn't already been said. Definitely give everyone a chance to drive as early as possible. There will be some that are not interested and there will be some that will rise above the rest. Mix and match your teams...run simulations with as many combinations as possible (of the two drivers).

By the time you get to regionals, you should have a primary field team and a backup field team. If you have a couple backups, thats fine. You never know what might happen (kids getting sick, etc.). On practice day, I believe we still get three practice rounds this year, so run your primary team twice and your backup team once.

Its not the same for everyone, but I never really noticed the crowd when I was a driver. The drivers should be able to react to the other teams (i.e. if they are being blocked or there is a great opportunity) but they should not be expected to see those situation on their own. That is what the coach is for. In all likelyhood you will have only a few basic strategies that you won't really deviate from...your drivers should know those very well.

Include the scouting team with the pregame strategy sessions so that all three teams are on the same page as to who has what abilities and what the alliance is up against. If you know right away that BlueA sits at the center goal the whole match, opt for a strategy that never goes to the center goal.

Above all else - relax, have fun, and win or lose, take pride in the fact that you are able to showcase your teams efforts on the field for all to see.

Good luck!!

Kev

[Ali Ahmed]

In my opinion, I think the best to choose a Drive Team is by looking at experience. All of our Drive team members have the most experience of the team. They all are not necessarily the oldest because our current Drive Team consists of 2 seniors, including myself, and 2 juniors. They also have to understand the rules very well. It also helps that they are good friends and have good chemistry. I have seen teams were the drivers and coaches are yelling at each other.

Just my 2 cents.