[ColleenShaver]

It's no different than past years (well, different then last year) but even in '99, lots of people had pole grabbing devices that could serve to grab on to another robot and keep them from getting on the puck or moving them off it. It wasn't traumatic.. you built your robot to be rough and tumble.. it was like playing king of the hill.. and it was a great game..

Regarding all this fiasco about pushing, pulling, defense and retailiation.. I say watch a video from 99 or 2k.. the same rules stood then, but after last years 4v0 game, everyone seems to be quite up in arms that they have brought these rules back..

Personally, I'm psyched.. it adds a great diminsion to the game in terms of strategy.. it's never been a destructive or overly violent game... Eric posted today on the yahoo forum EXACTLY how I describe what the game is to people... it's like a football game.. it's a contact sport, so be ready.. but there are limitations and penalities for not playing fair.. mainly there is something called "unnecessary roughness"

This is the way I see it.. if a robot is sittingon the field, doing something or doing nothing.. and you go out of your way to drive into them and hit them or get tangled up with them.. it's unnecessary roughness.. face masking.. whatever you want to call it.. but if there is someone in your way and you are trying to get a goal or a ball.. push on through and find the holes around them..

offense, defense and special teams.. have all sides prepared.. it's all part of them game.. let's play on, play by the rules, and remember our gracious professionalism.. and we all will be ok..