G12 Clarification

[$wimmer3138]

The way I've read the rule is that this could be legal and illegal. Two examples follow:

Legal:
If the blue balls is in motion and hits a red robot, then it is considered deflection.

Illegal:
If the blue ball is in motion or stationary and a red robot hits the ball it is considered launching.

*To put it short and sweet, ball hits robot, Legal. Robot hits ball, Illegal.

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by $wimmer3138

The way I've read the rule is that this could be legal and illegal. Two examples follow:

Legal:
If the blue balls is in motion and hits a red robot, then it is considered deflection.

Illegal:
If the blue ball is in motion or stationary and a red robot hits the ball it is considered launching.

*To put it short and sweet, ball hits robot, Legal. Robot hits ball, Illegal.

This is also open for interpretation as well. For the second scenario, if the red robot inadvertently hits it, that's "bulldozing", and that's perfectly legal. I think the only way to really see the difference between launching and bulldozing or deflecting is the intent to not only block, but to control the ball.

[cmrnpizzo14]

Insert usual GDC has the final say caveat and whatnot here....

I feel that it is impossible for your robot to be POSSESSING an opposing alliances ball if it contacts the ball on the side of the robot that is perpendicular to your drive base (for tank drives, it gets into more of a grey area if you are running mecs or swerve or something like that). This seems like the most logical ruling for gameplay as you could still block passes and passing lanes with your robot but you wouldn't be actively pushing the balls away from your opponent and locking down the only game piece in play.

[cgmv123]

My opinion* is that the red robot is bulldozing, which is not possession and therefore not a foul. Just because your alliance's ball is not near the red robot doesn't mean the only strategic advantage from the red robot moving is blocking the blue alliance's pass. The red robot could be setting up for the next cycle.

*I am not the GDC. My answer is not official.

[Flyte]

I feel that if the red alliance robot is in the current path of the ball and it is deflected of that robot than it would be "bulldozing." If the red alliance robot purposely moves into the path of the ball after it has been launched then I would consider it "launching."

[themccannman]

I would say one instance of contact with the ball is a deflection, two or more is herding or launching.

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by Flyte

I feel that if the red alliance robot is in the current path of the ball and it is deflected of that robot than it would be "bulldozing." If the red alliance robot purposely moves into the path of the ball after it has been launched then I would consider it "launching."

If that is the case, then wouldn't any robot who moves in front of a ball in the goalie zone to block the shot get a technical foul? I doubt this was the intention of the "launching" definition.

[Flyte]

Originally Posted by Anupam Goli

If that is the case, then wouldn't any robot who moves in front of a ball in the goalie zone to block the shot get a technical foul? I doubt this was the intention of the "luanching" definition.

I feel that the goalie zone would be an exception.

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by Flyte

I feel that the goalie zone would be an exception.

Right, but it doesn't say anywhere in the rules that goalie bots are exempt from the definition of launching. Remember, the definition of launching is

“launching” (impelling BALLS to a desired location or direction)

. Impelling implies active control of the ball. Based on this, a robot that is launching a ball is one that is actively controlling the ball before hand and it exerts a force on the ball in order for it to go to a specific or desired location or direction.

Go up to FIRST Q&A and submit for a rule clarification if you feel this definition is too loose (i'll admit, possession rules are kind of unclear and vague in my opinion as well.)

[Cal578]

Rule G12, blue box, makes it pretty clear.

Examples of BALL interaction that are not POSSESSION are
A. “bulldozing” (inadvertently coming in contact with BALLS that happen to be in the path of the ROBOT as it moves about the FIELD) and
B. “deflecting” (being hit by a propelled BALL that bounces or rolls off the ROBOT).

Note that the definition of "deflecting" has nothing to do with motion of the robot. The red robot of the OP's diagram can be deliberately moving into the path of the ball, and it's still a deflection. So, no penalty.

But, if the red robot chases the blue ball and bumps it again, that could be interpreted as Herding, which is Possession, and that would get a penalty.