[EricH]

Originally Posted by The Ars-sassin

Hey!
does anybody know the answers to any of these questions?

1. how many balls can we grab up off the ground? also, what constitutes as "grabbing"?

2. how many balls can our bot hold during the match? also, what constitutes as "holding a ball"?

3. are there any penalties for holding too many balls?

4. can we put anything over our bot? i.e. a net or piece of sheet metal on the back to prevent teams from wedging balls onto our bot.

Let's see, what does the Manual say? In this case, Section 7. (This is your "Read the Manual" notice, if you didn't get one already.)

1a. No limit is defined, explicitly or otherwise.
1b. While "grabbing" is not explicitely defined, "possession" is.

Originally Posted by Section 7.2, Definitions

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

2a. No limit is defined, explicitly or otherwise.
2b. See my answer to 1b.

3. If there isn't a limit, there isn't a penalty. HOWEVER: EMPTY CELLS can only be handled 1 at a time by robots. See <G24-A>.

4. There is no rule against this, however, if you put it over the trailer, you will get a penalty for blocking the trailer (Update 1). If you entangle an opponent's robot, penalties may be assigned (<G33>, <R07>). If you go past the bumper perimeter, penalties will be assigned (<R11>, <S04>).