[George1902]

9.3.8 Ranking Score
The total number of ranking points earned by a team throughout their qualification matches, divided by the number of matches played (excluding any SURROGATE matches), then truncated to two decimal places, will be their ranking score. Note: because your ranking score is derived directly from the match scores of the losing ALLIANCES in the matches you play, it is in your best interest to support your opponents and win by helping each ALLIANCE score as many points as possible.

"Collusion," or "Coopertition" as I prefer to call it, is the best way to "help each alliance score as many points as possible." How would you help your alliance score as many points as possible? You would (and probably do) meet each partner before the match a talk out a strategy. How would you help your opponent's alliance score as many points as possible? You would (and you can bet I will) meet with each opponent before the match, offer replacement parts or tools to fix anything broken, and offer a non-defensive match where you allow each other a row and free access to the ringers.