pinning being called consistently?

[rich2202]

There is a related concept of "Blockade" where 2 or more robots box another robot into a confined area.

IMHO, if 1 robot boxes another robot into a confined area (can only move back a few feet either way), that is a PIN using the Blockade concept.

Note: Pin is "to prevent or stop something from moving". "moving" has been liberally interpreted not as "unable to move", but more not able to move a material amount.

[Tyler_Kaplan]

Pinning is a little harder to call 100% consistently, both in FRC and VEX. From I've seen, most refs will start the pin count at least a couple seconds late, which can be unfair to the teams being pinned. It's just one of those things where it's hard for the refs to watch everything at once, and start to call it exactly when it happens

[Louisiana Jones]

Originally Posted by Tyler_Kaplan

From I've seen, most refs will start the pin count at least a couple seconds late, which can be unfair to the teams being pinned. It's just one of those things where it's hard for the refs to watch everything at once, and start to call it exactly when it happens

I'm finding that at some regional events it is being called too quickly. I'm just not sure that a robot that is not trying to leave the batter because they are trying to shoot should also get a pinning count started the instant a defensive robot bumps them.

https://youtu.be/UXlU0X1x9Tg?t=1m42s

[rich2202]

Originally Posted by Louisiana Jones

I'm just not sure that a robot that is not trying to leave the batter because they are trying to shoot should also get a pinning count started the instant a defensive robot bumps them.

Nothing in the rules require the robot being pinned having to "try" to move. A robot can sit on the batter the entire match. As soon as a robot from the other alliance gets close enough to block it it, the PIN starts.

The PIN rule does not require "intent", unlike other rules that require a "strategy", etc.

[Louisiana Jones]

Originally Posted by rich2202

Nothing in the rules require the robot being pinned having to "try" to move. A robot can sit on the batter the entire match. As soon as a robot from the other alliance gets close enough to block it it, the PIN starts.

The PIN rule does not require "intent", unlike other rules that require a "strategy", etc.

There is nothing in the rules that says the pin has to start as soon as the robot gets close enough to block it either. The rule says: For example, a
ROBOT parked right behind an opponent that is on the BATTER could
be considered pinning because the dividers on the BATTER and the
parked ROBOT prevent the opponent from moving.

I think the key word is could. The rules leave it open to interpretation whether it should be called a pin or not. If the ref thinks that the position prevents the opponent from moving it should be a pin. I'm seeing alot of examples where it seems the refs are assuming even the slightest contact has trapped the robot against the batter, even when the robot isn't even trying to escape the batter.