[Kevin Ray]

Okay, first off, I think that the GDC has a daunting task every year. They thoroughly think out 99.99% of the issues facing each game. I always try to understand the reasons behind the they rules make. This time I'm stumped. If a ball goes under the robot by more than 3" it's a violation. Why? You're already limited to one ball at a time. What is the reasoning behind it? Rookie teams have it hardest. They usually don't have the experience nor the exposure to methods and practices that experienced teams have. For the most part (based on 3 weeks of regionals), rookie teams are by far, the least successful in adequately kicking the ball.
Allowing the ball to pass under the bot at will (one at a time) would make ball control, hense kicking, infinitely easier. Remember, the crowd wants to see high scores. It appears at most regionals that the penalties were more common than the goals in a vast number of matches--with most of those penalties resulting from balls passing under the bot. Update 16 attempted to address this but I think, fell short.

Please help me see the GDC's viewpoint. I KNOW I'm missing the obvious.