[Andy Baker]

Notice rule G25 under "Game":

(for speed's sake, I will paste it here):

<G25> Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or entanglement of ROBOTS are not in the spirit of FIRST Robotics Competition and are not allowed. However, Triple Play is a highly interactive contact game. Some tipping, entanglement, and damage may occur as a part of normal game play. If the tipping, entanglement, or damage occurs where it is not a part of normal game play, at the referee’s discretion, the offending team/ROBOT may be disqualified from that match. Repeated offenses could result in a team/ROBOT being disqualified from the remainder of the Regional or Championship competition.
Examples of normal game play interaction include:
• Pushing low on another ROBOT.
• Blocking or pushing on a TETRA that is in possession of an opposing ROBOT.
• Establishing ROBOT position to block access to a GOAL by an opposing ROBOT.
• Using an arm or gripper to prevent an opposing ROBOT from placing a TETRA on a GOAL.
Examples of inappropriate robot interaction include:
• Pushing high on a robot and tipping it over.
• Using an arm or gripper to repeatedly strike an opposing ROBOT that is not in the process of placing a TETRA on a GOAL.
• Placing any part of your ROBOT under an opposing ROBOT, and then lifting to flip it over.
• Using an arm and gripper to pull a ROBOT by grabbing electrical cables, hoses, etc. or disabling a ROBOT by tearing out wires or hoses.
• Grasping or attaching to a TETRA that is in the possession of an opposing ROBOT, and using it to pull over the opposing ROBOT.
• Ramming another ROBOT at high speed.


NOTICE that "pushing high on a robot and tipping it over" and "ramming another robot at high speed" are both moves that can get a team DQ'ed. This verbage has not been seen in the FIRST game rules before. These rules tell me that FIRST is cracking down on ramming and tipping. The typical "back up and ram until you get on top" mentality from 2003 will be penalized, according to this rule. Pushing high on robots as they try to get on/near the puck in 1999 would be illegal with this new rule.

Personally, I like the rule. Ramming and tipping are easy moves to do, while scoring is not. This gives the offensive teams some needed protection. I just hope that the referees call this rule as it is written. It is not easy to make a tough call and penalize a team, even if it is needed.

Andy B.