FAQ for Q&A
 

Just getting this going so that we know what's commonly asked and likely to go to the Q&A if it isn't answered in an update. I thought of putting it in Rules/Strategy, but decided more visibility is better.

1) Launching minibots--is it legal under a) free flight or b) tethered to the pole?

2) Minibots at the top of the pole: Do they have to stay there until after the match, or can they slide down during the match to make retrieval easier?

3) Are you allowed to move your own tubes, other than ubertubes, around after they are in scoring position?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

1) a)/b) im not exactly sure what you're asking but i do know that the minibots can be launched, they always have to touch the pole, and once they cross the deployment line you cannot touch them (if thats what you mean by tethered)
2) No they do not, as long as they hit the pressure-like sensor (2-4 newtons of force btw)
3) As far as i know, you are allowed to. although you really shouldnt have to :yikes:

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Someone planning on going to Q&A with this, or do we interpret and then decide?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I don't have access to that, so someone else will need to.

One that I forgot: If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?

Personal suspicion is yes, but never hurts to confirm.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

These items have been heavily discussed and no final answer has risen. IMO this thread should be saved for items that need to be posted to the Q&A.

As to who will do it, IDK.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

It looked like the presentation said the minibot had to climb the pole and trigger the AB stacked signal light. At match end you can look at the field look at the lights. Blinking - no score. Solid - score.

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Where is the bumper zone?
(I went to go double check that I knew the bumper zone today and could not find the rule stating it. There are tons of rules about the bumpers, but nothing about exactly WHERE the zone is :p )
This has been answered, the rule was just hiding in section one instead of section four with the rest of the robot rules

How do coopertition points affect your qualifying and ranking scores?
(There was a clause about how if you loan a minibot to another team, you get a CP, but nowhere did it say how this would affect your ranking or anything at all.)

Is it legal to program your minibot to go up the pole, wait for some time, then be programmed to go back down the pole for easy retrieval?
(Minibots are not controlled by the FMS system, so I'm wondering if programming them to go back down the pole would make it easier to remove them at the end of the match.)

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

This question came up earlier today, I don't think a conclusion was made.

Is there a limit to how many minibots can be deployed by one robot?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Another for the Q&A:
{RE}
<R92> The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
...
C. exactly one 12V rechargeable NiMH battery pack identical to those supplied in the FTC kit of parts (PN W739057)
...
E. No more than one NXT controller with the Bluetooth functionality disabled,

QUESTION: How are we supposed to power the NXT controller without using its self-contained batery(ies)?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Page 7 of Section 1

BUMPER ZONE ␣ the volume contained between two virtual horizontal planes, one inch above the floor and seven inches above the floor.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

These are basically the three questions my team had that we were waiting to post to the Q&A - since I know they're common questions that are going to be posted, I'll pass that on.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

What do the other two human players do? Four of them feed the game pieces on to the field...What do the other ones do?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

They're 'analysts.' From section 1.6 of the game manual: "ANALYST – a HUMAN PLAYER that assists the COACHES with strategy. There is one ANALYST per ALLIANCE."

My take on the minibots question is that a robot can just deploy one. It refers to minibots in the game manual as 'the minibot,' as in, "The ROBOT includes both the HOSTBOT and the MINIBOT (ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT)." (From the definition of Robot in section 1.6) That's not a definitive answer by any means, just an interpretation of the text.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I know this was probably in the manual, but how many tubes do the human players start with to hand to the robots through the slots? This just affects the importance of picking tubes up off the ground.

-Anna

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

You get enough logo pieces to fill both scoring grids with logos

6 triangles
6 squares
6 circles

Each feeding station gets 3 sets of logos.

I assess this as, its rather difficult to prevent an opposing alliance from completing at least one logo because that's taking 6 pieces and putting it possibly into your lane or in your scoring zone.

No game pieces except the uber tubes are on the field before the human players place the logo pieces in the arena in tele-op.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

So from 2:05 to 2:15 (or the last ten secs of the match) the minibot has that allotted time to get up the pole. It must trigger before the timer is 0.

Also worth noting:

A question for the Q&A is:

How will the field management disable the minibot after the match has ended?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

To continue on this thread...
<R03> Custom circuits and COTS electronics are expressly prohibited if they:
A. Interfere with the operation of other ROBOTS.
B. Directly affect any output devices on the ROBOT.

ROBOT – ... ROBOT = HOSTBOT + MINIBOT
What (if there exists) requirements are there for the electrical (power and signal) systems of the MINIBOT?
i.e.
Is it legal to have a the required 12V FTC Battery on the MINIBOT, directly wired through switches to power wheels to CLIMB? (Assume not, for now)
If not, what requirements do we follow for power and signal distribution as the Power and Signal Distribution Diagrams can not obviously be followed for the MINIBOT.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

How high are the different levels of the scoring rack?
i looked through the manual and technical drawings but could not find a specific number. thanks in advance

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Hold on a second, guys.

HPs: There are 3 HPs per alliance. One Analyst and 2 Feeders. <G08>.

The reason for the minibot moving upwards is that any scores within 10 seconds after the end of the match count as scored--but does that also apply to Minibots that are obviously on their way up?

Different level heights can be answered once somebody gets their hands on the field drawings.


So, here is the condensed list:

1) Launching minibots--is it legal under a) free flight or b) tethered to the pole?

2) Minibots at the top of the pole: Do they have to stay there until after the match, or can they slide down during/after the match under their own power or via gravity to make retrieval easier?

3) Are you allowed to move your own tubes, other than ubertubes, around after they are in scoring position?

4) If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?

5) How many minibots can one hostbot deploy?

6) NXT power, if used--is there some form of schematic or something?

7) What methods are acceptable for removing the Minibot from the post? For example, could it drive itself down autonomously? Could someone bring a long pole out and activate something on the robot to make it come down?

8) For determination of "above the line" during deployment, is the top of the Minibot supposed to be below the line, or just the hostbot device?

8a) Are hostbots allowed to push the minibots upwards or towards the post, provided that this is done below the deployment line?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Could you also add to the list what would be considered "acceptable" methods of removing a minibot from the tower? Ex: Would it be legal to bring an 8 ft pole onto the field to flip a switch on the minibot? (yeah, it's an extreme situation, but just an example)

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

how about this one. It's been bothering everyone in my team now.

-Please define "autonomous" in <G19>
(After DEPLOYMENT, MINIBOTS must remain completely autonomous.)

What I am asking exactly is: Does autonomous mean it is not being controlled by the human (communication) or it is completely independent of the HOSTBOT's movements.
I remember seeing in the demonstration after the game animation (in the live feed yesterday) robots pushing the minibot to the tower. Obviously, the minibot is still dependent of the hostbot after deployment (it still needs to be pushed to reach the tower), but I am wondering if the robot can give a little push to get the minibot started on its race.

I am very confused, so what I'm saying might be confusing. If you need any kind of clarification, just let me know!

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Remember, we aren't Q&A, but I can shed some light: autonomous is not controlled by the humans. I would also suspect that contact with the minibot in the deployment area is fine, as long as it didn't continue after the deployment line, but I can't be totally certain. See #8 in the list.

The hostbot will not be able to communicate with the minibot, BTW, due to the minibot size and lack of communication ability.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Same type of question. This was very very confusing to our team.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Just a quick clarification on <G19> (under my interpretation):

1. First of all DEPLOYMENT (as defined in the introduction) is:

Therefore <G19> means that your hostbot (your main robot) is allowed to place the minibot on the tower, but after deployment the minibot must be completely autonomous.

Autonomous basically means it can't have external commands (I believe - it definitely cannot have human control). Whether or not it can communicate with your hostbot is solved by the fact that there is no way of doing so with the allowed parts and also that there is little reason to do so - if the minibot is running code off the hostbot, it might as well run its own code.

Hope this clears that up.

Also, as a general thing, people sometimes overlook the glossary in the introduction when reading the rules. Any word in the rules that is all in capitals is in the glossary. Check there first.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

What are the limitations on pnuematics this year??? The rules (Section 4.3.11) say that the KOP tank but it never says if we can or cannot have more tanks. Also a similar question about cylinders. Can we have more than the three Bimba KOP cylinders or not??

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I think that this answers your first question:
(emphasis mine)

I do not have an answer to your question about the cylinders.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

<G32>Neither ROBOTS, HOSTBOTS, nor MINIBOTS may break the planes of the vertically projected borders of the opponent’s ZONES. Violation: PENALTY

<G61> The actions of an ALLIANCE shall not cause an opposing ALLIANCE to violate a rule and thus incur PENALTIES. Any rule violations committed by the affected ALLIANCE shall be excused, and no PENALTIES will be assigned.
Unless otherwise noted, all PENALTIES assigned by referees are applied to the entire ALLIANCE.

Given hypothetical scenario: Team A is an offensive robot with a powerful drive train that is carrying a tube back to its zone to be scored. Team B is a defensive robot who is waiting at the entrance to Team A's zone to stop them from entering. Team B deliberately moves directly in front of Team A in order to body block them. However, the power of Team A's drive train overcomes that of Team B's, and Team B is pushed into Team A's zone in front of team B.

Which of the following rulings is correct?

1) Team B incurs a penalty per <G32>.
2) Team B does not incur a penalty because they were forced into Team A's zone per rule <G61>.
3) Team A's violation of <G61> is waived due to Team B's violation of <G61>, i.e. moving directly in front of Team A in order to force team A to violate <G61>.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

2 is correct.

I don't understand 3. There is no "violation" of <G61> - that rule only says that sometimes violations of other rules are excused.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Eh, sorry. Should've been clearer.

The question in a nutshell is "does <G61> apply to itself?" Team 2 in the scenario clearly forced Team 1 to trigger <G61> when they moved in front of them for a body block, so wouldn't <G61> activate again and excuse the first <G61>, thus giving Team 2 a penalty?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

<R69> is about the compressor, but I want to know what/if any restrictions there on air storage tanks. The rules do not specify, but it seems rediculous to give us an air tank as part of FIRST Choice that we cannot use.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

9) Pneumatics rules are unclear: How many and what type of a) storage tanks, b) cylinders, and c) other pneumatic actuators are allowed to be used on a robot?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

the Team field elements PDF pages 1 and 2 contain the PVC cut lengths for a peg rack pole assemblies.
for example, the first one is:
A 16.875" [428.6 mm] segment on top 1
B 14.125" [358.8 mm] pegs 3
C 35.25" [895.4 mm] between the two pairs of pegs 2
D 37.375" [949.3 mm] lower segment to the floor 1

From this you can get very close to the heights involved. However, the dimensions of the T-fittings used to make the assembly will affect the heights slightly. That is, the vertical segments are not strictly additive. Not a plumbing nightmare at all.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

No penalties are given by <G61>. No penalty.

Also, Team 2 did not force Team 1 to push them in. Team 1 did not go around them when they had the option. No penalty either way.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

The penalty wouldn't come from <G61>, but <G61> does state that "any rule violations committed by the affected ALLIANCE shall be excused", which would include the violation of <G61> that negated the first penalty.

The second bit of your response is a more direct reply to my question. "Is it the defender's fault for getting in the way or the scorer's fault for not going around?" was a pretty major point of contention last year and I want to get it cleared up early.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

It's still <G61>. NO PENALTY. Team 2 made a legitimate defensive maneuver, taking a gamble that they wouldn't be pushed in, and figuring that there would be no penalty if they did under <G61>. They lost the gamble. Still no <G61> penalty. It's legitimate defense.

Good defense: getting to where your opponent wants to go and trying to keep them out.

Great offense: Going to where you want to go despite any defense, doing what you were going to do there, and doing it again.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

According to rule <G02>, the game ends when all minibots make it to the top of the tower, or when the clock hits 0, whichever comes 1st.
emphasis mine

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

According to rule <G68>, scores are assessed either when everything on the field stops moving, or at 10 seconds, whichever is first. Because of this, it is foreseeable that one minibot is released in a match, climbs up halfway before the clock hits zero, and finishes climbing 9 seconds later, triggering the target. Does that Minibot count? I'm not certain for sure. I suspect that it would. But if the targets shut off at clock = zero seconds, then it does not.

That is what that question is asking. Remember, minibots have zero connection to the field controller, so they aren't shut off when the robots are.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

well, leaving out the batteries ensures the Bluetooth is disabled.

Acctually, <R34> specifically allows for batteries integral to COTS computing devices, with the example of laptop batteries given.

<R35> reenforces this rule by making an exception for "a battery contained in a COTS computing device"

I think it would be the same for the NXT, since it is a COTS computing device.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

After the initial 3-point penalty for breaking the plane of an opponent's zone, is there any penalty for remaining in the zone? Could a team take the three-point penalty and then remain in the zone indefinitely to run interference on scoring robots?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Reminds me of the well-heeled parking scofflaw who remarked that the $15 parking fine was cheaper than the garage was charging. If your robot cannot do anything else, you mean it might not be completely worthless? :rolleyes:

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Pretty much. That's why I was asking about getting pushed into the zone earlier; a team could deliberately get themselves pushed in for no penalty and then stay in the zone, raise a screen, and block off half the pegs. Violates the intent of the law, but not the letter. :eek:

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Can we add the dimensioning referenced here to the list?

-Matthew

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Proposed question:

Is it legal to create a pressure vessle out of the alloted "Aluminum sheet, 90* angle, u-channel, tube, bar" listed in <R92> H to act as a "rocket" propelling the minibot up?

Anyone remember the good old days playing with bottle rockets out of old soda bottles?

-Matthew

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Would this minibot attached to the pole, or are you planning on 'launching' it straight from your hostbot?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I don't know what question number we're at, but add:

--- how big is the playing configuration sizing cylinder - 60" or 84" ?
--- can a tube intentionally be placed over the minibot tower?
--- does making a logo also double the score of any ubertubes under that logo?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I've just looked at the manual about the Robot and although it speaks of the "Bumper Zone" I have not found where it describes where the actual bumper zone is. Is this in a revised manual?

bhenze@sapulpaps.org

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

All the definitions for terms in ALL CAPS in the manual are in section 1.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

More questions:

--- Are penalties called when you commit an action against another robot in your own alliance? Examples: pinning, taking away a piece that is in possession, touching a partner that is deploying, etc.

--- Who records the coopertition points? How does anyone know if a scoring minibot has been loaned by another team?

--- Does <R14> have any exemptions for fastener heads?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Updating the list to reflect TU#1.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

What are the exceptions for objects/manipulators passing through the Bumper Zone?:

a) Is it legal for an arm to enter the bumper zone and not be protected by bumpers

b) Assuming (a) is legal, what if the object entering the bumper zone is not intended to manipulate a game piece (ex. wheels to support a larger structure which deploys from the starting configuration at some point during the match)

I (and a few other people here) have not found any rules that grant exceptions for manipulators (or anything else) to enter the bumper zone without bumpers appearing out of thin air.

Also #9 was addressed in TU#1 as well (it does not)

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Actually, as far as I can tell from Update #1, this question still stands and shouldn't be crossed off your summary list. It seems to me that, at least from reading the Blue Box in Section 4.3.15, that a MINIBOT should be able to pass the FTC inspection, which I assume has the answer to the question regarding signal and power distribution. However, is that the end-all rule, that they HAVE to be able to pass FTC inspection? I don't think so, so my question above remains.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I have another question.
How many licenses do we have for inventor this year in our kit of parts?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Concerning "3) If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?"

From the blue box of <G02>:
To me, that is pretty clear. The chase sequence, and therefore the chance for a minibot to trigger the tower, ends when the clock hits 0. The mini-bot will certainly be able to continue climbing to hit the target, but it will not be able to trigger it to score points. Yes?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

You aren't required to have the NXT on the Minibot. Therefore, you must be able to control the minibot some other way.

If the GDC comes out and says that the minibots have to pass FTC inspection, the uproar over requiring the FTC motors for vertical motion will be as nothing compared to the ensuing "virtual riots".

FYI: FTC inspection != Minibot inspection. Minibot inspection will check for size, weight, and legal parts. I'm sure FTC inspection is a bit more rigorous.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

That blue box is not a rule. However: The rules (<G68>) CLEARLY state that objects in motion (which could easily include the minibots) have 10 seconds to come to rest or score. I've gone through this before. If that blue box is a rule, they're gonna have to resolve the discrepancy by either revising the blue box or by declaring an exception to the other rule for the Minibot.

The only way to resolve this is by asking them and pointing out the contradiction.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I understand, however, my question still remains as far as power distribution diagrams and rules (since the only rule that is specific here is that you have to use wire types as referenced from <R40>).

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

1) Minibots at the top of the pole: Do they have to stay there until after the match, or can they slide down during/after the match under their own power or via gravity to make retrieval easier?

2) Are you allowed to move your own tubes, other than ubertubes, around after they are in scoring position?

3) If a minibot is moving upwards at the end of a match, does it still get the 10 seconds to finish for points?

4) Assuming an NXT is used, are the internal batteries allowed power sources?

5) Wiring rules/conventions/schematics for Minibot--where are they, if there are any?

6) What methods are acceptable for removing the Minibot from the post? For example, could it drive itself down autonomously? Could someone bring a long pole out and activate something on the robot to make it come down?

7) For determination of "above the line" during deployment, is the top of the Minibot supposed to be below the line, or just the hostbot device?

8) Pneumatics rules are unclear: How many and what type of a) storage tanks, b) cylinders, and c) other pneumatic actuators are allowed to be used on a robot?

9) Can a tube intentionally be placed over the minibot tower?

10) Who records the coopertition points? How does anyone know if a scoring minibot has been loaned by another team?

11) Does <R14> have any exemptions for fastener heads?

12) What are the exceptions for objects/manipulators passing through the Bumper Zone?:

a) Is it legal for an arm to enter the bumper zone and not be protected by bumpers?

b) Assuming (a) is legal, what if the object entering the bumper zone is not intended to manipulate a game piece (ex. wheels to support a larger structure which deploys from the starting configuration at some point during the match)?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I realize that it's not a rule. However, I see no discrepency. Let's say they wait for the minibots to stop moving, and one of them hits the target. Correct me if I'm wrong, but <G68> says that scores will be tabulated after 10 seconds, not necessarily that all methods of scoring are available after 10 seconds, so I think that the minibot triggering the tower would not score.

I suppose that it could be misinterpreted, so we should ask the Q&A, but I would be surprised if they allowed minibots to score after the clock runs out.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

This answer of NO PENALTY makes sense, but... what is required to happens next?

Does the offense bot need to back up quickly and allow the defense robot to quickly exit the offense zone on the path it came in (assuming it can move in that direction) and would remain blocking the offensive bot's path into the zone?
(Thus, the defense bot "wins")

Or if the offensive robot does not back up but just waits, then is the Defensive robot going to be penalized for not clearing out of the offensive zone by skirting around the offense bot? (Thus, the offense bot "wins")

I expect this Sumo confrontation to happen quite often and the rules are not clear to as to obligations of the two opponents involved after the zone line is crossed by the defense bot under the pushing of the offense bot.

I'm not sure what the GDC has in mind for this one. Typically, questions are ruled with deference to offense. But I think this one is tricky.

I'm curious if there is an obvious answer in the manual or from previous years.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Last year's rules don't apply this year... but last year, multiple balls scored after the buzzer, simply because they were in motion.

There are two ways to look at this, and both have valid points. That's why it's one for Q&A.

boomer, I'll answer as best I can.
1) Nope, unless it's pinning.
2) Depends on maneuvering. If it clearly has the opportunity to try to exit and does not, then penalties would probably be thrown. However, if it's getting pushed around by the offense robot who is trying to score over it, no penalty (again, it's being forced into the situation). If you're the defense robot in this position, you need to be attempting to get out if you can. If you're not, the refs would probably be justified in throwing a penalty.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

The Q&A's up to post questions, but I'm a little confused. I saw about 6 questions in there earlier today, but now there's only 2, and there's no posts in the answered part of it. This is the first year (sadly) that we've been focusing enough on the rules to use the Q&A, so if someone with more experience could tell me if that's normal, I'd appreciate it.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

In previous years questions posted by teams were not visible until they were answered.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Ah, thank you. That makes sense.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

Has anybody submitted any of these yet? If so, which ones?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

#1 has been answered. Just hit the target, then prepare to retrieve however you want to do it.

The GDC has only answered 3 questions at this point in time, so I'm not surprised there aren't more.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

I'm thinking there will be a whole bunch of answers coming out late tonight (Friday) after Team Update #2 - and most of them will say, "No, please see Team Update #2".

Team Update #1 was published before Q&A was opened, and it changed some very basic parts of the game - clarifying what the GDC intended and what thought they had said in the first place.

Now they have some questions from the teams, and will answer them and make rules updates as needed. These updates will be minor clarifications of existing rules - but they will be major for teams that made assumptions contrary to the GDC's asssumptions.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

The rules say nothing about how many you can carry, but you may only DEPLOY one of them. And even if you could, you only have two alliance towers, and three robots, as well as only ten seconds in the end game. So, unless both your alliance members can't deploy, the rules say you can deploy more than one, and you think that 10 seconds is enough time to deploy two, I don't see why you couldn't.

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

You May only carry 1 MINIBOT on the HOSTBOT as per Team Update #1 Changes

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

According to <G32>: Neither ROBOTS, HOSTBOTS, nor MINIBOTS may break the planes of the vertically projected borders of the opponent's ZONES.

It goes on to say: "<G32> allows ROBOTS to complete HANGING a GAME PIECE, as designed, without being hindered."

My question is this, the ZONES are 84" long, the maximum length your robot could have at any given time is 84" long. However, the ends of the scoring pegs are 16" away from the wall. If my robot is fully extended at roughly 84" and I am trying to place a piece on the end of a peg then 16" of my robot will be extending out into the Caution Zone.

Is my robot still protected from opposing robots if ANY part of my robot is out of my zone?

Re: FAQ for Q&A
 

(emphasis mine)

If your robot is stretching out to 84" long, then it is 0" wide - you'd have to be on a diameter line, or else you're outside the circle. So a full 84" spread is not even possible. And when you design to be able to reach the top or bottom rows of pegs, you will realize why you need the extra inches available to you at the midrange of your arm height.

That may mean that you are stretched out to at or near your maximum if you are trying to hang a tube on the mid row. But <G32> is a prohibition of what your opponents cannot do. Even the blue box that you quoted only says you have protection to complete hanging your tube. You first have to get the tube to the zone, and then once your robot is inside the zone the opponents can't get to you any more. Maybe your back bumper will have to be hanging outside the zone. But an opponent risks entering your zone if they try to bump only the portion of your robot hanging outside the line. Remember, they're 47 feet away from the line, and can't see it very well.