Questions Regarding Defense
 

In the final match of the Seneca event, we were focusing on playing defense. We were very successful in doing so in the qualification rounds, quarters and semifinals but one of the teams shot into the high goal from the outerworks so we couldn't touch them. Is there any way to play defense against such teams? Also, is it legal to block the high goal when a boulder is shot?

Re: Questions Regarding Defense
 

It's completely legal to block high goal shots, no issue there. However, if your robot isn't tall enough to block their shots, your best option would be to stop them from reaching the defenses while they're still in the neutral zone (stay between them and the defense).

Re: Questions Regarding Defense
 

You can't touch an opposing robot if they have any part of their bumper in your Outer Works.

You can block a shot, but you are limited by the 54" height rule.

In addition to SkyPatrol's suggestion to keep them out of the Outer Works (from the NZ side), you can also keep them from trying to get a boulder.

Remember: Once they reach the Outer Works on the NZ side, you can't touch them anymore.

Defense Rules/Concerns
 

Is there anyway to play defense against a robot that can shoot in the high goal while it is touching the outerworks? Also, is it legal to cover a high goal on the tower?

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

Unless you have a tall robot that can block it or reach over them and block it without touching them, no. You cannot stop them from scoring. And how would you legally cover a high goal opening while staying in the height limit?

The protection from the outer works was intended as part of the rules to give a safe zone to teams.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

Sure you just can't touch them while their bumpers are in the outerworks or its a foul.


Not the tower your opponents are trying to score on. You could cover your own during the last 20 secs, not sure how helpful that would be.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

You can block their shot by extending yourself up to 54 inches but you are in danger of getting a penalty if you touch them while they are in their outerworks.

You cannot block the high goal as you cannot extend above 54 inches.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

From what I understand of the rules, a robot touching the outerworks is protected from direct defense (contact) by an opposing robot, however, there's nothing saying a defending robot cannot sit in front of an attacking robot and block it's shots if you have something tall enough to interfere with its shooter (keep in mind height limits). Of course, you want to be out of the zone before the last 20 seconds to avoid penalties if the attacking robot touches the defender.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

You can't (in theory) contact a robot overhanging the outerworks. However, we got hit multiple times while shooting and the defender never got penalized. I wouldn't plan on this being OK. Also, you can't cover the high goal because it's out of the height limit. You could in the last 20 seconds, but it doesn't really serve a purpose.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

Tall blocking robot? Tall blocking robot with a blocker that leans 15" outside their frame perimeter? It's dangerous depending on where they're shooting from. If they can drive forward and hit you while still in the outerworks, you can get penalties. Or maybe keep them from getting to the outerworks with a ball in the first place.
No.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

It's not about the score, it's about sending a message...

On topic though, you could max out at the full 46" and utilize a 15" extension to play a basketball-style defense where you just tower over a low bot shooter, but it'd require an incredible amount of finesse and driving prowess.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

At competitions I was at, I saw this being classified as pinning.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

Alternatively you could get good at resource control, can't take shots without boulders. You also can't touch them while they are in the outerworks but you can try to stop them from getting there.

Re: Questions Regarding Defense
 

The proliferation of tall blockers in elims is for defending that shot. You don't necessarily need to block the actual shot--you can block their camera, which is often mounted lower.

Re: Defense Rules/Concerns
 

Alternatively you can block their camera (which the better shooters all have.)