[ALIBI]

Is cornering an opponents trackball legal? This strategy is becoming very affective and will no doubt be a part of game play in Atlanta. I see nothing in the rules that prevents you from knocking an opponents trackball all over the field, the rules even allow you to herd and hurdle (knocking off overpass in a counter clockwise direction) your opponents trackball. As I read the definition of POSSESSION a few questions come to mind:

POSSESSION: Controlling the position and movement of a TRACKBALL while the TRACKBALL is supported or captured by an ALLIANCE shall be considered POSSESSION of the TRACKBALL. A TRACKBALL shall be considered “supported” by a ROBOT if in the estimation of a reasonably astute observer the majority of the weight of the TRACKBALL is being borne by the ROBOT. A TRACKBALL shall be considered “captured” by a ROBOT if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the TRACKBALL remains in approximately the same position relative to the ROBOT. Both the “supported” and “captured” conditions include the case
where the TRACKBALL is also in contact with the floor.

If you have a trackball pinned between you and a field element, are you controlling the position of the trackball?

If you have a trackball pinned between you and a field element, by preventing the trackball from moving, are you controlling the movement of a trackball?

If you have a trackball pinned between you and a field element and when you move back and forth, the trackball stays pinned between you and the filed element, have you captured the trackball?

I do not necessarily like lawyering the rules. However, the GDC has made it clear that they do not want you to possess your opponents trackball. I see pinning your opponents trackball as approaching the fine line between affective defense and possession. When you pin a trackball, I believe you are controlling the position of that trackball. By definition, "and", you must also control the movement of the trackball. Is preventing the trackball from moving, also controlling the movement of the trackball. I don't know. Anyone else have any comments?

From the Q & A:

"The difference between Herding and Possession (specifically "captured") is inherent in the influence the Robot has over the Trackball's movement. A Robot is Herding if it pushes, bumps, rolls, etc a Trackball in a particular direction, but the Trackball is not controlled by the Robot. A Robot has "captured" a Trackball if it consistently controls the location of a Trackball with reference to the Robot.

We cannot comment on specific assemblies and designs."

If a trackball is consistantly pinned between you and a field element, or located between you and a field element, have you captured that trackball? Playing keep away is a permitted strategy, I am not sure that pinning a trackball is in the spirit of this years game.