Team Management At competitions

[gblake]

Originally Posted by CalTran

I think walkie talkies would work. ...

All but the very best walkie talkies (plus ear pieces) become useless in the loud surroundings of a typical FRC tournament - The person on the other end simply doesn't hear you. I assume that the OP is talking about an FRC team

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

... Add to that, everyone must be present in the stands in the same spot for all our matches. ...

Al, I understand why you do that; but... Whenever we try to let students enjoy competing in a 5th Gear tournament, it seems there are always a few players who cause their allies to forfeit or lose because their team has mandated that they must be in the stands for every FRC match - So to all teams/mentors who use that rule; on behalf of all the useful and inspirational activities that complement and enrich FRC tournaments; please consider granting a few exemptions or educating the students about the exemptions that you already have in place.

Talking to a college recruiter, being part of a 5th Gear alliance, helping another team or student all sound to me like they are more valuable than cheering during any one match.

Blake
PS: Just to be clear - Playing hacky-sack, or Nintendo DS, or flirting, or ... Well, they don't sound more valuable. Some things can only be done/found easily or fortuitously at an FRC tournament or similar event, others are available anytime.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by gblake

Al, I understand why you do that; but... Whenever we try to let students enjoy competing in a 5th Gear tournament, it seems there are always a few players who cause their allies to forfeit or lose because their team has mandated that they must be in the stands for every FRC match

Blake,
I should have been more specific. The FTC team runs somewhat autonomous in that there are separate mentors/chaperones for that team during the competition day. While FTC students are encouraged to watch our FRC matches, we are flexible. FRC students are also reminded to cheer for the FTC team if they are not on scouting or Hall of Fame duty.

[sithmonkey13]

Team 1178's rules are: Follow school, stadium and FIRST rules at all times, and everyone meets at the end of the day to arrange rides. Other than those two, we really don't have other specific rules