[Scott358]

I'd suggest this is a viable defensive strategy against those hurdlers who have to reach over the overpass, then back up.

3 points to consider...

1. You may have to take the 6 second pinning rule into account (but it is a question as to whether or not parking behind someone without pushing them is pinning). This would be a FIRST Q&A question.

2. Depending upon your drive train and the hurdler's drive train, they may just push you out of the way and/or drive sideways and get away (if they have that capability).

3. It will depend upon the refs. Last year, there was not supposed to be intentional contact outside the bumper zone, but there where many defensive robots who used end effectors to stop offensive robots from scoring, and it was not called. I'd suggest a brief discussion with the head ref to see what he thinks about it if you plan on using this.

I look forward to hearing other comments, as we re-designed our robot just so we didn't have to reach over the overpass due to this defensive strategy.