Summer Design Competition 2015

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard

"Hey guys, remember that terrible Recycling-themed stacking game with no defense? Neither do I!"
-Every FIRST-er after Quad Quidditch

The rules state that a bludger launched or ejected from an opposing robot can "ground" the shooter. How do you qualify "ejected or launched?" Is it still considered "ejected or launched" after it bounces on the ground? If not, they could only be thrown with extreme precision. If there's a time limit on when a bludger not in contact with the robot previously carrying it can take out an opposing shooter, do you honestly expect the refs to keep track of that while managing the rest of the match? Yet, since there is no qualification for "ejected or launched", then a bludger ejected from a robot 2 seconds into teleop couldn't be picked up by the oppposing alliance because it made contact with one of the robots. Hold on, a partial chokehold executed in the first seconds of auto that could decide the winner of the match? I think I remember one of those...

That said, bludgers present an extreme danger to robots. What penalties are given for teams that damage opposing robots with bludgers? How do you quantify "unintentional" bludger damage and "strategic" bludger damage? I get this is for fun, but the entire bludger dynamic combines the demolition derby and subjectivity of Aerial Assist, and the predictability of Recycle Rush.

Another thing, what happens when a snitch inevitably dies in the middle of the field? Would the alliance picking up the dead snitch still get points? How will a ref know the exact 6 foot radius around the snitch, cause there would be plenty of teams arguing with refs about it.