Assisting Question

[random.hero]

What really counts as an assist?

If the ball is laying on the ground and you bump it into the next zone and someone from your team picks it up is it an assist?

If you have possession of the ball and roll it out of your robot into the next zone and your team picks it up is it an assist?

Or, is it required that the ball not touch the ground in between robots and must be tossed or handed directly to the next robot?

Thanks in advance for any info.

[Racer26]

http://frc-manual.usfirst.org has the answers you seek.

[random.hero]

The manual wasn't enough to answer those specific questions, hence me coming here to ask. I found it to be pretty vague on the matter. It defines herding, carrying, etc., but doesn't really outline what I'm asking.

[jee7s]

What really counts as an assist?

If the ball is laying on the ground and you bump it into the next zone and someone from your team picks it up is it an assist?

If you have possession of the ball and roll it out of your robot into the next zone and your team picks it up is it an assist?

Or, is it required that the ball not touch the ground in between robots and must be tossed or handed directly to the next robot?

Thanks in advance for any info.

There are a number of other threads that address this. Please also read the rules carefully to establish your own opinions.

But, to address your questions, in my opinion (which counts for nothing at an event) based on my reading of the rules, team updates, and Q&A:

A bump would not be "herding" (and hence not possession) unless it was really obvious that you were propelling the ball to your partner. Some sustained or repeated contact with the ball would be necessary to establish this.

If the ball moves as a result of a mechanism that is in motion relative to your robot (a puncher, wheel, belt, etc) then you have established possession.

There is no requirement that the ball not touch the floor. You can "pass" the ball along the ground.

[BigJ]

The manual wasn't enough to answer those specific questions, hence me coming here to ask. I found it to be pretty vague on the matter. It defines herding, carrying, etc., but doesn't really outline what I'm asking.

How the ball goes between robots doesn't matter at all. Review the section on scoring. All you need to know is what counts as POSSESSION and what doesn't.

[random.hero]

There are a number of other threads that address this. Please also read the rules carefully to establish your own opinions.

But, to address your questions, in my opinion (which counts for nothing at an event) based on my reading of the rules, team updates, and Q&A:

A bump would not be "herding" (and hence not possession) unless it was really obvious that you were propelling the ball to your partner. Some sustained or repeated contact with the ball would be necessary to establish this.

If the ball moves as a result of a mechanism that is in motion relative to your robot (a puncher, wheel, belt, etc) then you have established possession.

There is no requirement that the ball not touch the floor. You can "pass" the ball along the ground.

That's more what I was looking for. Thank you.

[random.hero]

How the ball goes between robots doesn't matter at all. Review the section on scoring. All you need to know is what counts as POSSESSION and what doesn't.

Thanks BigJ.

[Racer26]

The manual wasn't enough to answer those specific questions, hence me coming here to ask. I found it to be pretty vague on the matter. It defines herding, carrying, etc., but doesn't really outline what I'm asking.

Yes, actually, it IS enough to answer those specific questions.


ASSIST: an event worth bonus points that occurs when a unique ALLIANCE ROBOT POSSESSES the ALLIANCE’S BALL in a unique ZONE (i.e. red, white, or blue ZONE) during a CYCLE.

POSSESS: (for a ROBOT) to carry (move while supporting BALLS in or on the ROBOT), herd (repeated pushing or bumping), launch (impel BALLS to a desired location or direction via a MECHANISM in motion relative to the ROBOT), or trap (overt isolation or holding one or more BALLS against a FIELD element or ROBOT in an attempt to shield them) a BALL.