Have Any New Driver Advice?

[Jeff Rodriguez]

Be honest about your robot. If you can't do something, tell your alliance partners. Don't exaggerate at all. It's much better to under-promise and over-deliver than vice versa.

[thefro526]

Thank you so much for the prompt responses! I ask though can you keep the advice coming because this will be good for me and all other rookie drivers (and some vets.).

[bigboi146]

I just try to stay calm.
You have a pit crew for a reason they fix whatever breaks so don't hold back
Play the game like its supposed to be played and read the rules.
To me matches seem to really go slow when your driving so i just take things slow. Maybe its just me though.

One of the things that I can reccomend is keeping your head out on the field. In the heat of the moment, people yell, and some of them sound very angry when yelling. Don't get defensive, and keep your cool. As long as you remove yourself from the picture, and just focus on being an extension of the OI, you'll do fine.

Oh, and also, as the head drive train guy from 114, don't be afraid to bash up your bot on another. As it's been said before: you can always fix the bot, but a match is done once that buzzer sounds.

[Laura 1547]

Make sure you not only pay attention to your robot, but to everything else that's happening on the field. Be aware of what other robots are doing on both alliances. Make sure you listen to what the other teams in your alliance are saying during the match.

Most of all just have fun. I get nervous sometimes before a match but as soon as the bell rings I forget about everything and just focus.

Just remember that mistakes do happen and that you can't fix the past. If something breaks on your robot, don't get upset. Focus on the problem and fix it so you can be even better in your next match

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Laura 1547

Make sure you not only pay attention to your robot, but to everything else that's happening on the field. Be aware of what other robots are doing on both alliances. Make sure you listen to what the other teams in your alliance are saying during the match.

That goes double (well, more like 100x more) for coaches! TUNNEL VISION IS BAD

[amos229]

playing defense is not hitting a team when they are tipped over. On practice day there is no reason to be ruff its just practice. When playing defense be careful not to damage other robots. Have fun and play safe but nevr be afraid to hit stuff

[Kyle Love]

Know the limits of the bot. Keep moves as simple and quick as possible. Know when to back off when playing defense to have a better angle to stop scoring. Have a heart when playing defense, don't destroy the other bot. DO NOT GET NERVOUS. Get along with operator. Get along with the coach. Listen to the coach. Don't get a big head and feel like your above going to the stands and watching matches with your team. (If time permits.) Always, keep it cool. Finally, as many said before me, drive it like you stole it!

[BHOP]

Ill speak from experience, I drove 2 years for my team. Two years ago we won the championship, both years won our division, last year we won a regional, so I've been on the field a lot, under pressure. Like everyone else has said, keep your cool and have fun. Know your strategy, and communicate. Know your robot inside and out, that was one thing that being a driver allowed me to do. I learned everything about everything on our robot, and the whole system.

Now for some new things:
-Be nice to the refs, they are your friends
-Thank the volunteers, meet some new people
-Have a cool dance/motion thing to do when they call your team name(we hopped)
-Work out, because there are limited amounts of people allowed on field, chances are you'll be doing some heavy lifting of the robot
-I flew r/c airplanes, if you get a chance they help with depth perception and hand eye coordination.

One last recommendation...if you ever make it to einstein field, look behind you, and notice the awesome sight. There might be like 20,000+ people watching robots play a game, it's kind of funny, hopefully a sign of the times to come. Did I mention...have fun, not many people get the privilege of driving a robot.

BHOP

[Viper37]

I'll speak from 3 seasons worth of Driving experience.

1. Listen to those who try to help you! They usually know what they are talking about.

2. Dont be intimidated by asking the programming team to fix stuff in the code. Remember, as the operator, everyone works for you for about 2 min.

3. Dont have tunnel vision. If you are driving on the left side of the field, and dont notice someone on the right jumping waving their arms and screaming your name, find a new driver!

4. Listen to you coach. They dont have anything to do BUT watch the field.

5. Dont be afraid to rough it up with other robots. Sometimes the only way out of a situation is to push.

6. Nobody should ever be mad at you for breaking the robot. Remember, it is probably mostly aluminum and aluminum isnt exactly known to be commonly impact proof.

7. Use your judgement, if you dont like a situation such as driving onto someones ramp, dont be afraid to say no! Remember, its your teams robot, and it would be yours taking the hit if anything went wrong.


Good Luck, and have fun!

[Dan_Karol]

Here is what i have learned over the past two seasons as my team's operator:

1.) STAY CALM! - this is the most important one of all, i cant tell you how much easer it is to score in that last second when you are in control.
2.) a little ego goes a long way - (be confident, after all there should be a reason your team wants you to do the job your doing)
3.) Make sure that you know what is going on just as much as your coach, she/he is there to help find the best move, but 3 heads are better than 1
4.) Talk - figure out a way to quickly and concisely describe what is happening on the field and communicate your next move. ("score on that foot" does not work as well as "Spoiler on eight - high")
5.) practice driving anything you can get your hands on and make obstacle courses to drive through.
6.) The drive team is a TEAM - you should be working together, never go into a match bickering amongst each other.
7.) Play tactics games with the other members of your drive team, games that require co-operation to be successful. This helps you get in the proper mind set to think on your feat.
9.) Play to win on the field but as soon as the robot is disabled at the end of the match remember: no hard feelings and GP is more important than being angry.
8.) HAVE FUN! It is so much easier to drive when your having fun.

Good luck and have fun!

-Dan Karol