Execution
CoachingAs the coach, you have the greater responsibility at a match. If the driver is more important than the coach in a match, then the coach isn't doing their job.
The reason for this is two-fold.
This isn't to diminish the importance of the driver, but the coach simply has more responsibilities. Even more crucial is a coach's ability to handle a change in a situation. The difference between an average coach's reaction and the superb coach's adaptation is all that it takes for a match to be won or lost. A reaction is where a coach simply does the first thing that comes to mind before taking into account the crucial factors (points, positioning, etc.). An adaptation is where a coach recognizes the effect that the situation will have in a match and balances the decision as to what to do with the crucial factors of a match (points, positioning, etc.). Effective Communication is just as important as the decision-making of a coach, similar to the relationship between Building, Strategizing, and Execution. An incompetent coach can be a great communicator, meaning that while a team might be doing the wrong thing, there is no confusion between the driver and coach. A tactical genius of a coach without communication is as useful as an incompetent coach. - A good pointer to keep in mind to be a good communicator is to be as simple as possible with word choice and commands. Only tell the driver what is relevant to him/her, but make sure that they know what to do next while they are completing an action. That way their muscle memory can focus on the current task while they can think of how to perform the next action without hesitation. |
DrivingWhen driving it is important to understand the relationship between you and the coach. This relationship is important as it is either a macro-management or a micro-management from the perspective of the coach. If the driver can handle performing basic functions (Ex: scoring) then the coach should not micro-manage them.
Whether or not your relationship is a micro or macro based, it is important that the driver not only hear, but listen to the coach. It is the coach's job to know what is best, so the driver should never second-guess his/her coach. The driver needs to be able to use their robot to the extent of the machine's abilities, if they are unable to then they are a capable driver. Having been and continued to be a driver and coach, my motto has always been "Drive the robot like you are going to break it." It is important to be able to push the machine to its limits. No matter how well you strategize or build, if the driver does follow through with the Execution then you still haven't reached your fullest potential. |