[meaubry]

To all whom post -
It is obvious that this year the interpretation of the rules (G25) has caused a bit of controversy. So I actually expected that issues like this would come up throughout the regional season.
Please keep in mind that it is NOT productive to post negative remarks about setting examples and such - everyone, and I mean everyone, is entitled to their opinion. Let's not forget that mentors are human too and they also have opinions that might not match that of the FIRST leadership - FIRST can handle criticism - let's just be careful in the manner in which we do so.
Now - back to the specifics about this thread.
Calling for an end of inconsistency is asking for the impossible. People are inconsistent, and the interpretation of this rule is inconsistent. As many have pointed out, what one determines as overaggressive someone else may not.
The rule itself allows the ref's to decide from match to match, day to day, regional to regional. Unfortunately, there is no clear line that defines when a team is being "overly aggressive" - nor even just plain "aggressive". Words like ramming, high speed ramming, pushing high, pushing low, pinning, and such don't do justice to the intent behind the action.
That is why the refs are in a bad situation. They must interpret the action, and then the intent. The results are obvious (tipped over robots, parts scattered over the field, broken machines) - so afterwords the equation is not always balanced. Those teams that designed machines so that the intent is hidden by the shape of the machine have no excuses - the drivers and more so the coaches of teams that play defense as part of their strategy must realize that in doing so they are at risk (offensive scoring machines draw less attention in penalty situations - they are more often the victim of overzealous driving)
What can or should be done?
Define what is considered allowable defensive actions. Post them on ever teams table on Thursday. FIRST must make sure everyone that is allowed to call penalties has the same interpretation - use past matches on Thursday when the ref's are trained, to make sure everyone of them is on the same page. I'll call it on the job training using the YMTC method. Also, I'd install the 2nd pair of eyes rule on penalties associated with G25 - two or more ref's need to agree in order for the penalty to stick.
Then, call penalties when those actions take place - starting when the first one is broken and be consistent throughout the tournament.
Sorry about the long post -
Agree or disagree as you'd like - but let's all stay on the high road and not slip back making a bad situation worse.

Mike Aubry