Team Manager Tip #10
Question:
I'm the coordinator for DI teams in our school district, and I am SO proud of the students' efforts. I'm thinking of holding a showcase for the teams to recognize them. Do you have some suggestions for what I can do?
Answer:
The weeks leading up to the Tournament are a very busy time for all teams, and a public showcase can create a great deal of stress, not to mention the risk of damage to props, scenery, costumes and devices. A private dress rehearsal for the team's parents, however, is very desirable about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of time in conditions that the team can control. In other words, their audience should be briefed ahead of time that feedback is NOT desired ("Speak up louder!" "Maybe you should move over there." "Did you ever think of ...?") Why is feedback not helpful? Team Challenge feedback constitutes Interference. Students are honor-bound to discard ideas offered outside of the team, even if they are well-intentioned suggestions for improvement. Ironically, the team may have come up with these ideas on its own! The larger an audience is, the more difficult it is to control the potential for feedback.
It may be more appropriate to recognize teams' efforts by having them demonstrate Instant Challenges, or by holding a showcase AFTER the State Tournament. You can hold a potluck celebration, give out awards, maybe even have a slide show to which all Team Managers can contribute some team photos.
