[inquiryteacher]

IF called for this foul you should note how this is qualified...

G28
Deliberate or damaging contact with an opponent ROBOT on or inside its FRAME PERIMETER is not allowed.

Violation: TECHNICAL FOUL


High speed accidental collisions may occur during the MATCH and are expected. ROBOTS extend elements outside of the FRAME PERIMETER at their own risk; no penalties will be assigned for contact between two such extended elements.

A ROBOT with an element outside its FRAME PERIMETER may be penalized under this rule if it appears they are using that element to purposefully contact another ROBOT inside its FRAME PERIMETER. Regardless of intent, a ROBOT with an element outside its FRAME PERIMETER that causes damage to another ROBOT inside of its FRAME PERIMETER will be penalized.

This is an example of a subjective foul as it is made by a person making a snap decision in a quick playing game in a contest that has been designed without safety zones. Note that is says "may be penalized". This leaves room for contesting the foul. Keeping a talley on fouls is pretty simple. It usually pretty easy to spot the bad apples. Intent can be quantified.

Also.. It specifies in the rule posting that if contact "causes damage to another bot inside it perimeter it will be penalized." Important to note as many instance of contact are incidental and accidental. The penalty should not be automatic.

Due to the number of the fouls and the absurd point values assigned to some of these fouls this year, I would suggest taping every match in your regional with something you can review footage immediately. These fouls need to be challenged professionally, and vigorously immediately after the match by having the team captain stand in the circle by the ref's station. Having as much real evidence as possible is essential and any he said/she said situation will hold no water, but unless these fouls are challenged the will continue unabated.

While it is unlikely that any foul will be overturned or corrected, if enough teams challenge the subject / more bogus calls being made, perhaps the refs will be more careful in calling them.