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Introduction
Introduction
Scouting can be a challenging and sometimes scary task! Luckily for you, Team Curiosity has put together a list of tips and tricks to conquer the scouting game!
Imagine this: you get to your interleague tournament and you’ve been tasked with scouting. Now you know that scouting is an important job, but also kind of a scary one too. You begin to fill with nervousness as you walk into those gym doors. Sweaty palms and shaky hands ensue as you walk up to another team’s pit. But suddenly you remember. I found Curiosity's website and read their tips and tricks for scouting! Your hands stop shaking and a sense of calm surrounds you. Gone is that old nervous scouter, and in comes the new confident one!
If this has ever been you then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s Team Curiosity's Tips and Tricks to make scouting a little less scary and a lot more fun!
Pit Scouting
Pit Scouting
Tip 1: Create a Google form or Spreadsheet
Set this up prior to each tournament
Great for easily accessible data
Really effective at pit for a smooth and targeted discussion
Tip 2: Know your Strategy!
As a scouter you should be aware of the ins and outs of your team and be prepared to answer any questions other teams may have.
To do this you must:
Memorize your autonomous and tele-ops paths
Know your endgame strategy
As well as your average scoring abilities and consistency of those points
If you don’t know the answer to a question, that's ok! Just let them know you aren’t sure right now but will get back to them as soon as you figure it out.
Tip 3: Be in constant communication with BOTH Drive Team and Match Scouters
At high-stress and highly competitive tournaments Communication is Key!
Create a group chat or form of communication that is easily accessible and won’t require either group to be on their phones for too long
This is especially important for aspects like:
alliance selection
being prepared for matches
and strategizing with your alliance partners
Match Scouters will be able to take your data and see if it matches to the points in a live match
Tip 4: The Drive Team will be busy!
While you should still be informing your drive team about alliance partners and math information, keep in mind that these competitions can get very stressful and they won’t be able to do everything at once.
Like scouters and pit members have their priorities, so does the drive team! Which means they will be focused on the matches and the game for the majority of the tournament
Messaging is very valuable at these competitions for quick communication
Tip 5: Icebreakers!
Being friendly as a scouter is very important!
You are often a first impression for your team and want to be remembered in a positive way!
An icebreaker or friendly greeting is a great way to dissolve the nervousness from both sides that come with scouting.
Don’t forget: these teams are made up of students as well! Everyone gets nervous at these competitions and sometimes it can be a little intimidating to talk to new people but that's why we’ve compiled this list of tips to help teams out!
Match Scouting
Match Scouting
While match scouting doesn’t involve as much face to face as pit scouting it is arguably sometimes even more stressful and equally as important! A good match scouter is critical for alliance selection and higher level competitions. Here are our tricks to successfully and effectively math scout!
Trick 1: Have an easy and simple way to input data
Create a spreadsheet and a numbering system or inputting system that your whole team is aware of
Keep in simple and easy to understand as it will be crucial for alliance selection
Prior to each tournament, divide up who's watching what field as well as what alliance.
Trick 2: Divide and Conquer
Match Scouting is a very stressful job for one to handle alone, so it is often recommended to have multiple scouts, with at least one or two for each field.
You can and are encouraged to take short breaks to aid focus but make sure there is someone else to cover your areas
Trick 3: Communicate!
Text or message your team members about top teams or important things to look out for
This will be important prior to matches and selections in higher level competitions.
Match Scouting can be a heavy task but by creating a simple and effective solution it can become less challenging!
Should you have any more questions or want extra tips please feel free to reach out to us on instagram or by email, both of which should be linked on our website!
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