[XaulZan11]

I don't think you build a 'defensive robot'. I think you build an offensive robot that can play defense if necessary (due to breakdown in scoring mechanism, poor scoring ability, or specific match stratedgy calls for it).

I think the role of defense will be very similar to that in 2007. In 2007 there were, in my mind, two ways to play defense. The first was a 'man to man' approach, where the defender would harass and push the opponent all around the field (ie, push them when they are picking up a tube, moving towards the rack, trying to score). The second was a 'screening defense'. In this approach, the defender would position themselves inbetween the rack and the opponents, trying to screen the scoring robots from getting into the rack. Each had its strengths and weaknesses.