[Donut]

Some manual definitions:

POSSESSION: Controlling the position and movement of a BALL. A BALL shall be considered in POSSESSION if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the BALL remains in approximately the same position relative to the ROBOT.

CARRYING: POSSESSING a BALL that is not in contact with the FIELD.

According to this, a ball that merely bounces off the top of a robot is not considered POSSESSED. However a ball that would then pass through some sort of "funnel" would be considered POSSESSED while inside the funnel, and thus would incur a <G44> penalty. Any air herding device, regardless of whether it is within the bumper zone or at the edge of the robot, would cause a ball to be POSSESSED while in the air resulting in CARRYING.

With these definitions balls can bounce off of robots without penalties, so as long as you do not use something considered a MECHANISM you can strategically deflect balls (no funneling) with your robot as they fall from the ball return.