[Mr. Van]

I don't think I agree with Joe on this one:

Redbot is in it's key and lining up a shot. Bluebot approaches and comes close to Redbot to block. Redbot moves forward and touches Bluebot and Redbot gets a technical foul?

It seems to me that there is no way that a ref can judge the intent of such an action. Was Redbot simply trying to get in range?

If Bluebot backs away immediately, then they should only suffer the single 3-point foul, regardless of how many times Redbot makes contact, but if they stay, then Redbot should be able to touch them again for another 3 points.

If this is not the case, what is to keep a defender from camping out on their opponent's key? Sure, they take a single 3-point foul, but they could possibly shut down an effective scorer.

I believe that the "strategies" that the DGC is referring to are things like camping out on the key, waiting for opposing robots to come over the Cooperttion bridge and suddenly backing up to make contact as they come off the bridge.

It seems to me that the intent of the rules are:

"Don't mess with robots that are shooting from the key, robots that are using their alliance bridge or robots retrieving balls from their alley."

AND

"Don't lawyer the rules to turn the tables on this intent by pretending to be shooting from they key, using your alliance bridge or retrieving balls from your alley with the intention of causing other teams to get fouls."

Does that seem right?

- Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox