[Tom Bishop]

Last year we were rammed, pushed, harried, pinned, crashed into the rack, and generally knocked around at every opportunity. That's fine, it was part of the game.

In this year's game defense, compared to the year's before, was much more subtle. This year defense consisted of knocking opponents ball's down, delaying other teams from hurdling, knocking balls away from and out of opponents possession, protecting balls on the rack in the end game (sometimes by pushing, sometimes by sitting there), among other strategies. Vigorous interaction should be expected, designed for, and played. This is also fine, it's part of the game.

As others have stated, without defense FIRST games become an unexciting exhibition. On the field we compete like crazy to win, but we do so in a respectful manner. We help teams having trouble by getting their robots moving. We give each other tools and parts, programming and technical expertise. But on the field make sure your head is screwed on tight, because the opposing alliance will do everything it can to legally win.

Of course, deliberately damaging another robot is against the rules, and is very unGP. But it is difficult to judge intent when it is "your baby" out there being bashed around. Difficult for us, and difficult for the refs. It would also be GP to give teams the benefit of a doubt, and assume that their tactics are within the scope of the rules, as long as the regs don't warn, yellow card, or DQ them.

You guys had a great robot out there, and you should be proud.