[ALIBI]

Isn't the intent of the bumpers and bumber zone to make certain that defensive contact be made within that zone? 177 does not have a ringer and should not be considered to be playing offence. IMHO, when a robot goes into a defensive mode, they must make certain, it is thier responsibility, that the first part of thier robot that touches another robot either be bumpers or a part of thier robot flush with the vertical plane where the bumpers would be if they do not have bumpers. Playing defense in such a way that a part of your robot that is outside the bumper zone makes contact with the opposing robot first is wrong. Incidental contact once in a while, OK, but driving around the field with your arm outside the bumper zone and repeatedly having it be the first part of your robot that contacts the opposing alliances robot should have been a penalty.