From Update #15:
"Once a robot is in place to deposit balls in the corner goal,
ramming it from behind generally has no purpose other than to destroy, unnecessarily harass, or force a goal incursion of the scoring robot.
Repeatedly ramming a robot that is depositing balls in the corner goal from behind may be called for a <G22> violation and may incur a 5 point penalty or a disqualification."
From Q&A:
Question: "Our robot is in the process of dumping balls into the corner goal and no part of the robot is extended into the goal. We are then
pushed by an opponent's robot such that our dumping mechanism is now more than 3" into the goal. Who would receive the penalty for extending into the goal more than 3"?"
Answer: "
Any robot that extends more than three inches into the goal (three inches past the plexiglas barrier) will be disqualified. If your robot has been designed such that it can extend into the goal,
even if pushed, then you would be wise to operate the robot cautiously when in the vicinity of the goal."
Are these two official statements from FIRST:
A) Contradicting each other?
or
B) Attempting to tell us that
ramming is a no-no but
pushing a robot into a goal is a fair play?
I tend to think that teams should have thought of this when they designed and built their robot so that if you get
pushed through the goal it is your fault for having a part of your robot sticking out. However, repeated
ramming serves no real purpose at anytime during the game and should be penalized. I don't see any difference between
pushing an opposing robot into a goal and flipping one over as they climb the ramp. If you design a robot that is "tippable" due to high COG then why would it be the opposing robot's fault if they tip you over by
pushing on you while you are on the ramp. Now if you fall over on the ramp and they continue to
ram you that is just plain unsportsman like. With all the pushing and shoving designed into this game why should an alliance get penalized for the design flaws in their opposing alliance?
I believe that FIRST is trying to tell us
ramming is bad but
pushing is OK.