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Drive Team Criteria

The Drive Team represents our team on the competition field. Its members work together to operate the robot, carry out match strategy, communicate with alliance partners, and respond calmly when plans change. Drive Team members are highly visible representatives of the team and are expected to demonstrate Gracious Professionalism at all times.

The Drive Team consists of four roles and is supported by a Drive Coach:

  • Driver: Controls the robot’s movement around the field.
  • Operator: Controls and manages the robot’s mechanisms and subsystems.
  • Human Player: Performs the human-player responsibilities defined by that season’s game. Because the game changes every year, the specific responsibilities of this role will also change.
  • Technician: Provides technical support while the team is queuing, setting up for a match, and leaving the field. The Technician helps identify problems, communicates with the pit team, and makes sure the robot and required equipment are ready.
  • Drive Coach: Guides communication and strategy, supports the student Drive Team, and works with alliance partners before and during each match. This role is typically filled by a mentor.

Qualities We Look For

The qualities below are listed in order of importance. Technical ability matters, but character, teamwork, and coachability come first.

1. Maturity​

  • Takes the responsibility seriously and can be trusted to follow through.
  • Remains calm, focused, and safe in stressful or fast-moving situations.
  • Makes good decisions without needing constant supervision.
  • Accepts responsibility for mistakes and learns from them.

2. Communication​

  • Gives clear, useful information and listens carefully to teammates, coaches, and other teams.
  • Communicates respectfully, even when there is pressure or disagreement.
  • Speaks up when something is unsafe, unclear, or not working correctly.
  • Shares important match and robot information with the whole team rather than making decisions alone.

3. Respect​

  • Treats everyone with respect, including teammates, mentors, volunteers, judges, referees, opponents, and alliance partners.
  • Represents the team positively in the pits, queue, stands, and on the field.
  • Handles wins, losses, penalties, and difficult calls with Gracious Professionalism.
  • Speaks about other teams respectfully and never belittles their members, robots, or performance.

4. Teamwork​

  • Puts the needs of the team and alliance ahead of personal attention or credit.
  • Trusts teammates to perform their assigned roles.
  • Works well with everyone, including teammates, scouts, strategists, and alliance partners.
  • Helps create an environment where others can succeed.

5. Humility and Coachability​

  • Listens to feedback without arguing, blaming, or making excuses.
  • Is willing to change habits, strategies, or techniques when needed.
  • Recognizes that every member of the team contributes to success.
  • Can celebrate success without becoming overconfident.

6. Dedication​

  • Attends meetings, practices, and competitions consistently and on time.
  • Is willing to practice outside normal meeting hours when necessary.
  • Prepares independently by studying the game, rules, robot, and strategy.
  • Maintains a strong commitment throughout the entire season.

7. Experience​

  • Previous robot-operation or competition experience is helpful but not required.
  • Experience in activities involving communication, coordination, teamwork, or performance under pressure may be valuable.
  • Uses past experience to support teammates rather than to claim authority over them.

8. Skill​

  • Demonstrates the coordination, awareness, and decision-making needed for the position.
  • Can perform assigned tasks consistently while communicating with the team.
  • Improves through practice and applies coaching from one session to the next.

9. Knowledge​

  • Understands the current game rules and the responsibilities of the position.
  • Learns how the robot works, including its capabilities and limitations.
  • Knows the team’s match procedures, safety expectations, and communication system.
  • Asks questions and continues learning throughout the season.

Tryout and Selection Process

Drive Team tryouts take place at an offseason competition. Any eligible student who wants to try out must add their name and preferred role or roles to the sign-up list by the announced deadline.

Before the event, candidates may be asked to attend an orientation or practice covering safety, robot controls, field procedures, communication, and expectations. During the event, candidates will rotate into available roles for different matches whenever the schedule and robot condition allow.

Mentors will evaluate how each candidate demonstrates the qualities in this document. The outcome or score of an individual match is not used to judge a candidate. A robot failure, difficult alliance, loss, or mistake does not automatically count against a student. Mentors are more interested in how the student prepares, communicates, responds to pressure, accepts feedback, supports teammates, and learns from the experience.

When there are more qualified candidates than available positions, priority will be based on the qualities above in the order listed. Final role assignments are made by the mentors after reviewing observations from the offseason event and other relevant team activities. Students may be considered for more than one position, and trying out does not guarantee selection.

Expectations After Selection

Students selected for the Drive Team are expected to:

  • Attend all required practices, trainings, competitions, and pre-match meetings.
  • Learn the game rules and pass any team-required rules or safety checks.
  • Maintain strong knowledge of the robot and report problems accurately.
  • Follow the direction of the Drive Coach and the team’s established match procedures.
  • Work constructively with strategists, scouts, and alliance partners.
  • Listen to feedback and continue practicing throughout the season.
  • Maintain a grade of C or higher in every class. Students who are struggling in a class should speak with a mentor as early as possible; the mentors will do their best to connect them with help and support. Students should also communicate early if school or personal responsibilities affect their availability.
  • Model Gracious Professionalism and remember that the role is a responsibility, not a status symbol.

Drive Team assignments may change if team needs, student availability, performance, safety, or conduct require it. Mentors will communicate concerns and provide feedback whenever practical.

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