[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by JesseK

When determining where to set low gear when executing defense is a consideration, is an effective T-bone pin mutually exclusive of an effective pillar defense?

Not really.

Do (e.g.) sailcloth bumpers change this consideration at all?

Somewhat, particularly if you're using solid core pool noodles with sailcloth. In that case, your bumper doesn't deform or grip enough to effectively T-bone anyone (or be T-Boned, which is the point), so you can only really play pillar defense.

This plays into the original topic a bit - shaft spacing is usually determined by the gear availability and the desired difference between high gear and low gear (e.g. the dog gear choices). School A wants a larger gearing difference, School B wants a smaller gearing difference.

I don't really get school B. The advantage in short acceleration is usually so minor that it's not important, and I feel like using low gear for more precise movement is using hardware to solve a software / controls problem. While pushing matches should be avoided, low gear to me exists so offensive teams have the option to push through defense if necessary and defensive teams can themselves push all day long against the strongest drivetrains. So it doesn't get used all that much, but it's more of a safety net.