[Craig Roys]

John,
The problem, as I see it, is this - where do you draw the line? The rule states that you must move counterclockwise around the track and once you completely enter a zone you cannot cross back. Consider the following two scenarios:

1) Robot A rounds a corner, crosses the line and accidentally crosses back briefly before moving on.

2) Robot B rounds a corner, crosses the line and turns to pick up a ball on the line causing them to briefly cross back before moving on.

Both robots did the same thing, but in one case it was a big advantage and in the other case it was a mistake. The refs shouldn't have to decide the intent of the robot recrossing the line - that would/could be too subjective causing more arguments.

Consider a high-sticking pentalty in hockey. It doesn't matter the intent of the player high-sticking, just that they can't do it. A large number of high-sticking pentalties are accidents, but you need to be in control of your stick. Robot drivers need to be in control of their robot.

I'm not saying I like or dislike the rule, but I understand why it is called the way it is.

Just my $0.02