TM Corner

Team Manager's Corner

Posted Mon, 2009-08-24 21:53 by webmaster

Welcome to California Creativity's Team Manager's Corner. We're here to trade tips, stories, fears, failures and successes about being a DI team manager (TM). Being a TM can be overwhelming and a little isolating. This is the place to cure both these ills so jump on in and participate.  Since this is a public web site, comment submissions will be moderated.

Two Weeks After Your Regional Tournament: Global Finals?!?

Posted Mon, 2010-03-15 00:00 by aorcutt

Remember about a month back when I suggested that you talk to your team parents about the possibility of going to the State Tournament? Good - because you are going to have the same talk again but this one is on steroids. For those going to the State Tournament, you are faced with the very real possibility of being invited to Globals. Don't think it won't happen to you. My team stabbed me in the back, aced their IC and got invited despite having a weak technical element for their team challenge (their performance and Side Trips were quite good though).

One Week After Your Regional Tournament: State Finals?

Posted Mon, 2010-03-08 01:00 by aorcutt

Whether your team is advancing to State Finals or not, I encourage everyone to stop on by (if feasable) and watch some solutions to the challenge you did and the challenges you didn't.  The Secondary teams are always worth watching.  Seeing older, more sophisticated teams perform can give teams plenty of ideas for next year.

After the Tournament

Posted Mon, 2010-03-01 01:00 by webmaster

I hope everyone had a great time at their regional tournament.  Your scores should be posted under «Region», above.

If your team is advancing to State Finals, remember you have to register the week after the regional tournament. You need an experienced appraiser and a volunteer.

One Week Before Your Tournament: The Calm Before the Storm

Posted Mon, 2010-02-22 01:00 by aorcutt

[Remember California Creativity Regions have staggered tournament dates, but the Team Manager's Corner is for everyone.  It's likely *your* tournament is not in a week -- re-read this when it is.]

Two Weeks Before Your Tournament: Panic!!!!?

Posted Mon, 2010-02-15 01:00 by aorcutt

[Remember California Creativity Regions have staggered tournament dates, but the Team Manager's Corner is for everyone.  It's likely *your* tournament is not in two weeks -- re-read this when it is.]

So two weeks left and there isn't time to do much of anything but panic. Yes? NO! There are a few tips left in my magic tip bag left:

Three Weeks Before Your Tournament

Posted Mon, 2010-02-08 01:00 by aorcutt

[Remember California Creativity Regions have staggered tournament dates, but the Team Manager's Corner is for everyone.  It's likely *your* tournament is not in three weeks -- re-read this when it is.]

Three weeks before the tournament is the time to write up and submit any announcements for school. Invite teachers and administrators.

There is so much to remind everyone about the run-up to the tournament that I'm going to start this week. It's time to start planning a pre-tournament parent's meeting. Have this meeting soon after the schedule comes out. Here are some agenda points.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Posted Mon, 2010-02-01 01:00 by aorcutt

Time becomes short with only weeks left until tournament day!  [Since regional tournaments are spread out over several weeks, you'll notice a vagueness in these state-wide hints when yours will be]

It's maybe a little early for this topic but I'm making this up as I go (improvisation) and it doesn't hurt to start thinking about it now. Besides as we get closer to the tournament, I'll be overloading you with tournament tips to make your experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

Instant Challenge Teamwork

Posted Mon, 2010-01-25 01:00 by aorcutt

Its now weeks but not months to the regional tournament and by this time I'm thinking every team is putting the finishing touches on their solutions. OK maybe not. They will get there however so hang in there, take plenty of pictures and reread the Rules of the Road.

Side Trips + Improv

Posted Mon, 2010-01-18 01:00 by aorcutt

Side Trips

When it comes to appraising Team Challenges, I really love to do Side Trips because there is so much variety. I've seen teams with mediocre Central Challenges just blow us away with amazing Side Trips and go on to the next level of competition. This is especially important in the more technical challenges where even a good structure design or vehicle can run afoul of "Murphy's Law".