Picking Drivers?

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by D.J. Fluck

If that kid who might have the best skill (who didn't want to drive) ends up as your driver, still with the frame of mind that they don't want to do it, that will lead to the team's downfall...

If you reread my quote, I said that you need to identify who your best candidates for driver are, not that you force them to undertake the role.

A person who is coerced into undertaking any role on a team is likely to have a stinky attitude and perform more poorly in that role than someone who approaches it with a good attitude.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Ryan Morehart

What I'm saying is that you don't need to have the "best driver" on the team be your driver to make the season great. It's what you try, not what you accomplish.

I need to change my signature quote...

"Do or do not. There is no 'try.'"
-Yoda

[Ryan M.]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I need to change my signature quote...

"Do or do not. There is no 'try.'"
-Yoda

Ok, ok, whatever.

What I was saying was that if you give your best effort and fail, you're better off in the long run than having only put in half effort, even if he was "more successful" than you. In my opinion anyway.

[kjohnson]

We don't really have tryouts because not very many people want to drive the robot. The ones that do want to drive just practice a little and whoever does best gets to drive. But it is still a good idea to have one or two backup drivers and also let them practice so if they are needed at the competition (VCU outbreak - our shooter got sick, but not the driver) they won't be so rusty.

[pakrat]

I think that the most important part of your DT is the coach. End of story. Having a good coach makes it easy, and just teach the drivcers to work well with the coach. Our team has decided that it is the responsibility of the drivers to listen to what the caoch tells them to do, but still to take initaitive. We thus decided that it is also important that the caoch understnds that it is their responsibility to have all the strategies down cold. In our system, the coach is also responsible for what happens in the match, so they get the scrutiny from the mentors and the rest of the team. I think that this has proven to be an extremely efficient system, and i hope that you consider this sort of idea in DT construction.

Also, one of the most important things about your DT is unity. If the DT doesnt feel like they are "one", or they let conflict to come between them, it leads to a tough season. Make sure that the Dt can work together, and are interested in doing what they do.

Hope this makes sense...

[Mike33]

Originally Posted by ERock(NJ)

How do you pick your drivers? I know this is asked about 20 times every season but I forgot, lol, so umm how do you?

I was thinking that the driver should be the driver from last year but I don't know. I also thought that most team's drivers are from there building department.

i think, however you choose to pick your drivers, that the driver and the operater should get along. If the driver and the operater dont like one another but were the best the job, they might not have the same determination and focus. Say one of them messes up and your team looses a match, you could end up with the two argueing for the rest of the competition. so however u pick'em just make sure that they will get along.

[pakrat]

Originally Posted by Mike33

i think, however you choose to pick your drivers, that the driver and the operater should get along. If the driver and the operater dont like one another but were the best the job, they might not have the same determination and focus. Say one of them messes up and your team looses a match, you could end up with the two argueing for the rest of the competition. so however u pick'em just make sure that they will get along.

Definitely, but try to have the strongest DT that you can, as long as what you say applies (that the driver and operator get along).