Ball placement in Auto

[TimTheGreat]

Can the ball start in front but not in the robot during auto, or is it either in the robot or on the rings?

[Hallry]

You should read up on Section 2.3 of the 2016 Game Manual:

Each MATCH begins with eighteen (18) BOULDERS in the ARENA. BOULDERS are staged before the MATCH in the following manner:
A. Six (6) BOULDERS are staged evenly along the length of the Midline, 3 ft. 9-1/2 in. apart as shown in Figure 2-35. Small rings are used to keep them in place prior to the start of a MATCH.
B. Three (3) BOULDERS are staged in each CASTLE
C. Three (3) BOULDERS per ALLIANCE are staged on or in each ROBOT or in the CASTLE.

Emphasis mine.

[Jarren Harkema]

Section 2.3 lays this out.

Each MATCH begins with eighteen (18) BOULDERS in the ARENA. BOULDERS are staged before the
MATCH in the following manner:
A. Six (6) BOULDERS are staged evenly along the length of the Midline, 3 ft. 9-1/2 in. apart
as shown in Figure 2-35. Small rings are used to keep them in place prior to the start of a
MATCH.
B. Three (3) BOULDERS are staged in each CASTLE
C. Three (3) BOULDERS per ALLIANCE are staged on or in each ROBOT or in the CASTLE. See
Section 3 (3.2 MATCH Logistics) for more detail.

3.2 states:

When a DRIVE TEAM loads their ROBOT onto the FIELD for a MATCH they may elect to:
A. pre-load one (1) BOULDER in or on their ROBOT such that the BOULDER is fully
supported by their ROBOT, or
B. transfer their BOULDER to a HUMAN PLAYER in their CASTLE.

Must be supported by the robot, or on the rings.