I think it depends on the referees....

Ive seen referees call just the joysticks and controls as the "controls" yet then again ive seen some referees say that the entire control pannel (casing surrounding your controls and joysticks included) count....

I think its safer (and best) to just not touch anything at all that would even remotely consider the referees to DQ you.....and in your case, I think the refs were probably right to DQ you. Im sure your mentor didnt intentionally do what they did, but the refs did what they had to do, and if I were in that position, I would have done the same thing.