[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by DjAlamose

Im sorry but I must contend that GP is all about making a game fun and yet it still be competitive. Your actions on the field are a direct reflection of how you act off the field. Saying that your actions are completely different on and off the field tells me that 1) your either putting on a show for the judges or 2) your bi-polar.

The intent of the game is to prevent the scoring of points not to destroy robots and tipping a robot with motors spinning at 4000 rpm on a shooter with bets a gears whining at top speeds is a danger to all people not just the robot! Yes guards should be in place but those are 100% reliable. There is always that chance that something could go wrong. I agree that robot will fall over this year attempting to go up the ramp but I truly hope that it is not done by another robot.

And on a personal note, It is refs like you that cause me so much pain to see my robot get bashed up during a match by multiple rammings from another robot. By your logic any robot with bumpers will be able to take a hit. But that doesn't mean there won’t be side effects.

Last year we won Buckeye because our opponent had the same exact strategy that you have. Even there alliance members didn't like what they did. It is a sad day when FIRST turns out to be another Battle Bots competition.

Thats My 5 cents because 2 cents is worthless in this case.

Are you saying that a team should not be allowed to utilize a strategy that is specifically allowed in the rules?

<G22> Intentional ROBOT - ROBOT Interaction - Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or entanglement of ROBOTs are not in the spirit of the FIRST Robotics Competition and are not allowed. However, AIM HIGH is a highly interactive game, and some appropriate contact is allowed subject to the following guidelines:

• Rule <R35> in Section 5.3.4 establishes ROBOT BUMPER ZONEs. Any contact within this zone is generally acceptable, with the exception of high speed long distance ramming. If two ROBOTs choose not to use bumpers, and they contact such that simultaneous contact occurs both in and out of the BUMPER ZONE, then this contact is considered within the BUMPER ZONE.
• Contact outside of the BUMPER ZONE is generally not acceptable, and the offending ROBOT will be assessed a 5-point penalty, and may be disqualified from the match if the offense is particularly egregious or if it results in substantial damage to another ROBOT. Incidental contact will not be penalized. Contact outside the BUMPER ZONE that is a result of tipping caused by contact within the BUMPER ZONE will be considered incidental contact.
• If a ROBOT extends outside of its 28 inch by 38 inch starting footprint, it is responsible for the extension’s contact with other ROBOTs and must not use the extension to contact other ROBOTs outside of the BUMPER ZONE. Likewise, other ROBOTs will not be responsible for contact with the extension outside of the BUMPER ZONE. Again, incidental contact will not be penalized.

I am paraphrasing here ... but I have heard Woody Flowers, when describing what Gracious Professionalism is, say something like "We compete like crazy on the field, then treat each other with respect, and cooperate off the field."

One of the greatest things about our society, and this community, is that differring opinions are welcome and encouraged. Many of us will continue to disagree on this topic of "how we play the game".

I feel It is vitally important, if FIRST is to survive and grow, that the games remain exciting to watch and compete in. I am very passionate about FIRST, and I DO NOT want to see FIRST become another Battlebots. However some amount of vigorous interaction between robots keeps the games more exciting. Playing to win WITHIN THE RULES (PLEASE note the emphasis) should be encouraged. The referee's job is to enforce the rules, as guided by the interpretation of our head referee.