[Matt Adams]

I've seen a lot of really great ideas come out of this topic. I have a few of my own.

I noticed that a lot of people are trying to use a (seemingly obviously and accurate) comparison between sports and that of FIRST. I think there may be a few things to consider.

1. Athletic events tend to be longer, in many sports refs can take time to discuss between plays and see instant an replay.

2. FIRST has historically used a tournament format very different than that of sports (qualification and elimination rounds).

3. The "team" size in first is very unique since there are only two "players" per "team."

I agree with a lot of the principles with a card system... but I think there's a penalty that nobody here has metioned which should be used MUCH more frequently.

Anybody remember that disable switch?

How about this for a rule:
If you're not playing nice, then you don't play for the rest of the round.

Doesn't that seem fair?

Examples:
If you tip a robot, you're shut off.
If you're banging up against a robot destructively, you're shut off.

This rule could probably be coupled with that of the card system to avoid a kamikaze type playing style.

I'll admit that this will take swift action by one ref or nearly instant voting, but nevertheless, I think that this sort of penalty should be used more often in gameplay.

Just my two cents,

Matt