[kenfox]

I haven't gotten any feedback on the rules themselves. Maybe they are too buried in that github project. Here's the latest version of the rules in an easier to read format.

It's a reverse capture the flag game that is very competitive. We intend a box on wheels with a solid drivetrain to be useful with good driving. The meta-objective is to develop skills that directly translate into FRC builds and driving.

Objective

Be the first alliance to put all its balls into the goal. There are no points scored, only a winner. If time runs out, the winner is the alliance with fewest balls remaining.

Alliances

A match is played between 2, 3 or 4 opposing alliances of up to 3 teams each. Alliances should have the same number of robots. An alliance may have up to 2 human drivers for each robot and any number of human players. The total number of humans on the largest alliance must not exceed the smallest alliance by more than one person.

Field

The field requires a flat, open area at least 50 feet by 50 feet. The surface may vary; a paved parking lot or basketball court are recommended. Grass, dirt or slippery surfaces may limit the teams willing and able to play.

The area of play for the robots is within a circle 100 feet in circumference. At the center of the circle is the goal, a weighted rubber garbage can with an open top. The circle is divided into equal size sectors, one for each alliance.

The area of play for humans is outside a concentric circle 125 feet in circumference. The gap between the two circles is a safety zone that may not be entered by robots or humans.

It is not critical that the circles are perfectly shaped or the goal is in the exact center. The field must be marked in chalk, paint, tape, electrical extension cords, garden hoses or some other easily visible material less than 1" high. All teams must agree to the field.

Game Pieces

Each alliance has three flags and three balls.

A flag is a cube or regular tetrahedron with 8 inch edges. It must be an open lattice formed by smooth plastic tubing 1" to 2" in diameter. Vision tracking aids such as paint or tape may coat the tubing.

A ball is a size 3 or size 1 soccer ball or similar substitute. It must be inflated to a normal pressure. All balls must be marked to show the owning alliance.

Time

Matches are variable duration. The recommended maximum length is 150 seconds, however teams may agree to longer or unlimited duration. A match begins with 15 seconds of auton play followed by teleop play.

Starting Positions

Robots begin play within their alliance's sector and touching the circle. Flags begin play also within the sector, but touching the goal or another flag. Balls start in the human area, but enter play during teleop.

Auton Play

Alliances attempt to clear all flags from their sectors. Immediately upon clearing all flags from its sector, an alliance's ball is removed as if it had been put into the goal. Drivers may not control robots during auton.

Teleop Play

Alliances attempt to clear all flags from their sectors and put balls into the goal. When all flags are clear from its sector, an alliance's ball may enter play. Human players can throw or bounce the ball into the goal, or give it to a robot or to another human player. Robots may use any technique to put the ball into the goal.

Once a ball is in play, it remains in play until put into the goal. An alliance may have only one ball in play at a time. An alliance is not allowed to control the ball of another alliance. A robot may not control both a flag and a ball at the same time.

Robots and humans may go anywhere in their respective areas. Defensive play is permitted, but contact with an opposing alliance's ball is restricted to passive deflections.

Clearing Flags

A flag counts as being cleared from a sector if it is being carried clear of the ground or if it is completely outside the sector and still within the robot playing area. A robot causing a flag to leave the robot playing area is treated as having a flag in their sector until the flag is returned to play.

A flag that leaves the robot playing area must be returned to play near the point it exited play by a human player on the alliance that caused the flag to exit play.