Questions Regarding Defense

[arushshah1]

In the final match of the Seneca event, we were focusing on playing defense. We were very successful in doing so in the qualification rounds, quarters and semifinals but one of the teams shot into the high goal from the outerworks so we couldn't touch them. Is there any way to play defense against such teams? Also, is it legal to block the high goal when a boulder is shot?

[skypatrol]

It's completely legal to block high goal shots, no issue there. However, if your robot isn't tall enough to block their shots, your best option would be to stop them from reaching the defenses while they're still in the neutral zone (stay between them and the defense).

[rich2202]

You can't touch an opposing robot if they have any part of their bumper in your Outer Works.

You can block a shot, but you are limited by the 54" height rule.

In addition to SkyPatrol's suggestion to keep them out of the Outer Works (from the NZ side), you can also keep them from trying to get a boulder.

Remember: Once they reach the Outer Works on the NZ side, you can't touch them anymore.

[Citrus Dad]

The proliferation of tall blockers in elims is for defending that shot. You don't necessarily need to block the actual shot--you can block their camera, which is often mounted lower.

[arushshah1]

Is there anyway to play defense against a robot that can shoot in the high goal while it is touching the outerworks? Also, is it legal to cover a high goal on the tower?

[Anthony Galea]

Unless you have a tall robot that can block it or reach over them and block it without touching them, no. You cannot stop them from scoring. And how would you legally cover a high goal opening while staying in the height limit?

The protection from the outer works was intended as part of the rules to give a safe zone to teams.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by arushshah1

Is there anyway to play defense against a robot that can shoot in the high goal while it is touching the outerworks?

Sure you just can't touch them while their bumpers are in the outerworks or its a foul.

Originally Posted by arushshah1

Also, is it legal to cover a high goal on the tower?

Not the tower your opponents are trying to score on. You could cover your own during the last 20 secs, not sure how helpful that would be.

[rsisk]

You can block their shot by extending yourself up to 54 inches but you are in danger of getting a penalty if you touch them while they are in their outerworks.

You cannot block the high goal as you cannot extend above 54 inches.

[cbale2000]

Originally Posted by arushshah1

Is there anyway to play defense against a robot that can shoot in the high goal while it is touching the outerworks? Also, is it legal to cover a high goal on the tower?

From what I understand of the rules, a robot touching the outerworks is protected from direct defense (contact) by an opposing robot, however, there's nothing saying a defending robot cannot sit in front of an attacking robot and block it's shots if you have something tall enough to interfere with its shooter (keep in mind height limits). Of course, you want to be out of the zone before the last 20 seconds to avoid penalties if the attacking robot touches the defender.

[Ozuru]

Originally Posted by cbale2000

From what I understand of the rules, a robot touching the outerworks is protected from direct defense (contact) by an opposing robot, however, there's nothing saying a defending robot cannot sit in front of an attacking robot and block it's shots if you have something tall enough to interfere with its shooter (keep in mind height limits). Of course, you want to be out of the zone before the last 20 seconds to avoid penalties if the attacking robot touches the defender.

At competitions I was at, I saw this being classified as pinning.

[IronicDeadBird]

Alternatively you could get good at resource control, can't take shots without boulders. You also can't touch them while they are in the outerworks but you can try to stop them from getting there.

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by IronicDeadBird

Alternatively you could get good at resource control, can't take shots without boulders. You also can't touch them while they are in the outerworks but you can try to stop them from getting there.

Alternatively you can block their camera (which the better shooters all have.)

[GaryVoshol]

Merged two similar threads.

[bobl]

From QA today. If the robot being defending has a camera or some type of targeting sensor, you could be penalized under R9-C.

Question
Game Manual - Robot » Safety & Damage Prevention
Q953 Q. I understand that you cannot determine whether or not a device is legal sight unseen. I am asking this question because an LRI said it would be a violation of R9-C if we had a piece of lexan on our robot standing vertically to prevent a camera from seeing the reflective tape on the goals. I see no difference between having a sheet of lexan standing 48" and a robot standing 48". Please clarify what is meant by "interfering with remote sensing capabilities" in R9-C

A. A piece of plastic installed to prevent a camera from seeing the reflective tape on the goals is a device specifically designed or intended to interfere with another ROBOT'S sensing capabilities and is prohibited by R9 and the added language included in its Blue Box.

[Dinokaiz2]

I believe it's technically possible to block the high goal outside of the last 20 seconds by having a "jumping" mechanism. Your robot could jump into the high goal, thus blocking it.