What makes a good team?

[amerikestrel]

Just thought it would be interesting to hear people's opinions on this. What are the factors which contribute to a good SO team? What do competitive teams do that's different than most teams?

[lllazar]

Prioritized:

1. Dedicated, motivated kids.
2. Dedicated coach(es) who understand what it takes to win and keep the team on task.
3. Drive. Drive drive drive. Scioly is a competition and those who win at nats/state don't just win because they are smart. They win because they are true competitors. This is that extra umph which makes all the difference between such things as placing well at state and qualifying for nats.

But honestly, a decent scioly team (one that places top 10 or so in competitive states such as NY) needs #1 above all. The kids on my team think of scioly as just another club, but that's not enough.

PS, you'll notice there's nothing regarding "geniuses" up there. Ya, i must agree, for some of the events a basic or in some cases extensive understanding of higher level sciences (Physics especially, for a lot of events) certainly helps, but that's nothing that hard work can't take care of. Having a team of incredibly talented kids is great in the sense that if they put in the work, they'll probably do quite well. But that's the thing. They have to put in the work. Talent + laziness = Fail.

[quizbowl]

Prioritized:

1. Dedicated, motivated kids.
2. Dedicated coach(es) who understand what it takes to win and keep the team on task.
3. Drive. Drive drive drive. Scioly is a competition and those who win at nats/state don't just win because they are smart. They win because they are true competitors. This is that extra umph which makes all the difference between such things as placing well at state and qualifying for nats.

But honestly, a decent scioly team (one that places top 10 or so in competitive states such as NY) needs #1 above all. The kids on my team think of scioly as just another club, but that's not enough.

PS, you'll notice there's nothing regarding "geniuses" up there. Ya, i must agree, for some of the events a basic or in some cases extensive understanding of higher level sciences (Physics especially, for a lot of events) certainly helps, but that's nothing that hard work can't take care of. Having a team of incredibly talented kids is great in the sense that if they put in the work, they'll probably do quite well. But that's the thing. They have to put in the work. Talent + laziness = Fail.

Really, the second one, while completely important, is the one that, if you had to choose one to be without, would be removed.
We have a "coach", but the entire team is student run - we do everything. While yes, a great coach is an amazing asset, if you don't have an outstanding one, it shouldn't impede your success.

[lllazar]

Quiz, look at it from my perspective. When you have a coach who refuses to go to invitationals when you've just described to her how beneficial it could be for the team, then you'd understand. Also, you need a coach who makes the team selection based on how good people are at the events.

[quizbowl]

Quiz, look at it from my perspective. When you have a coach who refuses to go to invitationals when you've just described to her how beneficial it could be for the team, then you'd understand. Also, you need a coach who makes the team selection based on how good people are at the events.

That's why we have the captains choose the teams. Yes, a little bias, but most captains have been here for 3-4 years, and they know how everyone is doing and what they are capable of.

[personasaurus rex]

Quiz, look at it from my perspective. When you have a coach who refuses to go to invitationals when you've just described to her how beneficial it could be for the team, then you'd understand. Also, you need a coach who makes the team selection based on how good people are at the events.

That's why we have the captains choose the teams. Yes, a little bias, but most captains have been here for 3-4 years, and they know how everyone is doing and what they are capable of.

That's how we run our team. Coaches do the behind the scenes work like getting us buses and stuff but the officer committee choose the team and schedules.

[Skink]

Quiz, look at it from my perspective. When you have a coach who refuses to go to invitationals when you've just described to her how beneficial it could be for the team, then you'd understand. Also, you need a coach who makes the team selection based on how good people are at the events.

That's why we have the captains choose the teams. Yes, a little bias, but most captains have been here for 3-4 years, and they know how everyone is doing and what they are capable of.

In Div. B, that's not feasible. A motivating coach goes a long way.

lllazar's list is great but neglects one important thing--high property taxes/affluence in the community. Teams from schools that have resources and support do thrive more than those coming from, uh, less privledged areas.

[chia]

Well, there's been a LONG discussion on that particular point... better not go into that again, the thread's still out there somewhere.

[...] we have the captains choose the teams. Yes, a little bias, but most captains have been here for 3-4 years, and they know how everyone is doing and what they are capable of.

That's how we run our team. Coaches do the behind the scenes work like getting us buses and stuff but the officer committee choose the team and schedules.

Yeah, we're the same.

[zyzzyva980]

llazar's list is great but neglects one important thing--high property taxes/affluence in the community. Teams from schools that have resources and support do thrive more than those coming from, uh, less privledged areas.

Explain why we do so well then?

I fully agree with lllazar's list; I know my team probably wouldn't be where it is today without such a good coach.

[paleonaps]

Quiz, look at it from my perspective. When you have a coach who refuses to go to invitationals when you've just described to her how beneficial it could be for the team, then you'd understand. Also, you need a coach who makes the team selection based on how good people are at the events.

That's why we have the captains choose the teams. Yes, a little bias, but most captains have been here for 3-4 years, and they know how everyone is doing and what they are capable of.

In Div. B, that's not feasible. A motivating coach goes a long way.

lllazar's list is great but neglects one important thing--high property taxes/affluence in the community. Teams from schools that have resources and support do thrive more than those coming from, uh, less privledged areas.

Not really. In New York, there is a school in a very poor area that does very well- their strength is in tech, though.