[KTorak]

Disclaimer: I was not at the event, I only saw video of the said action and I am going solely based off the rules. ALSO, I cannot tell who was on which side of the field. If 48 was performing defense on the opposing alliances side of the field, seeing and/or maneuvering may have been very difficult through the rack and with the intense game play.

First, as of approx. 1:09 on the google video here, 1114 appears to be attempting to hang a game piece.

My first Rule to point out is G39, which states:

<G39> Pinning - While on the carpeted field surface, a ROBOT cannot pin (inhibit the movement of another ROBOT while in contact with a field element or border) for more than 10 seconds. If a ROBOT has been pinned for 10 seconds, the TEAM with the pinning ROBOT will be told by a referee to release the pinned ROBOT and back away approximately 3 feet for a minimum of 3 seconds. Once the pinning ROBOT has backed off by at least 3 feet for 3
seconds, it may again attempt to pin its opponent, and if successful, the 10 second countwill start over. If a referee determines that this rule has been violated, a 10-point penalty will be assessed for each violation. Note that a ROBOT attempting to HANG a GAME PIECE on the RACK will be immune from a "pinning" violation as long as it is clear that the ROBOT is continuing to attempt to HANG the GAME PIECE.

From G39, we can conclude that as it appears, 1114 was attempting to score a game piece and therefore, immune from the pinning rule. IF 1114 would have dropped the game piece and stopped attempting to score, they would have been subject to the normal 10 second pinning rule.

Also, let me point out a another rule. Rule G35 states:

<G35> 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. In all cases involving robot-to-robot contact, the head referee may assess a 10-point penalty and/or the ROBOT may be disqualified. However, Rack 'n' Roll is a highly interactive game, and some appropriate contact is allowed
under the following guidelines:  Any contact within the BUMPER ZONE is generally acceptable, with the exception of high speed, long distance ramming. If TEAMS choose not to use bumpers, and their ROBOT contacts another ROBOT such that simultaneous contact occurs both in and out of the BUMPER ZONE, then this contact is considered within the BUMPER ZONE.

While we do not know 48's intentions, the contact was in the bumper zone AND was not ramming, therfore the contact was legal. However, if they clearly demonstrated that their strategy was to disable 1114 (such as high speed ramming and contact OUTSIDE the bumper zone), they would have at least a 10 point penalty assessed, and possibly a DQ.

To prevent a conversation style post, i'm gonna edit this one.

Originally Posted by rourke

Someone may beat me to this post, but you've misinterpreted the rule here. It means that if 1114 was trying to place a ringer, it could not be called for pinning 48 in the course of that action. Not the other way around.

Is there any FIRST clarification on this rule? From what I have seen, the rule has seemed to apply to a robot pinning a robot this is attempting to score. Not a robot that is attempting to score pinning a defensive robot.