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Originally Posted by Stu Bloom
Are you saying that a team should not be allowed to utilize a strategy that is specifically allowed in the rules?
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.
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I am not saying that pushing is not a valid strategy, but in the context of this thread the situation, to my beliefs, is not within the spirit of GP. Causing a robot to tip purposely or accidentally is one of the worst things that can happen. Often times WITHIN THE RULES is not within the rules enough. There has always been way too much ramming (I consider ramming any contact at > 1m/s) and it is never within the rules. Robots with defensive capabilities need to be careful as not to harm other robots, that is my main point, because it happens way to often. And just because the action is not “aimed solely at the destruction” of a robot (nothing is, there is always another reason) doesn’t mean that its ok.
What Woody Flowers was saying (if that’s what he said, not saying your lying just that if its word for word) to compete like crazy not act like crazy. I also cannot hold respect for a team that either wishes to harm other robots or come close to harming robots by having a strategy that has the possibility of harming a robot.
Also, I believe that this year the game is very exciting. There will quite a few balls thrown out of the field and into the crowd as well as a lot of action with scoring. The finals are always the most exciting and that’s because of all the scoring going on. Just look at nationals last year. People were cheering when 7-8 tetras where on a goal. That’s because scoring is the excitement of winning.
I am sorry for my last post but ramming/tipping is a very touchy subject with me. And I agree with Sachiel7 about how much destruction there was last year, Way too much. Even if it was called as a penalty, it shouldn’t have ever happened.