Declining

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

LOL... Actually, I was looking at this exact situation last night cause a team member brought it up. I did not see any specific rule in the rulebook against this. This would lead to a super alliance of 4 robots. NICE!!
Anyone want to challenge my findings of the rules?

© 2004 FIRST2004 Robotics Competition Manual, Section

7 - The Tournament - Rev C7 - The Tournament - Rev A Page 2 of 5

7.4.1 Alliance Selection Process

Each of the Alliance Leads will designate a student to be the Alliance Captain. Each remaining team will choose a student to act as Team Representative. Each Alliance Captain and Team Representative will proceed to the Playing Field at the designated time to represent his or her team.

In ascending order, each Alliance Captain will invite a team ranked below them in the standings, which has not already accepted or declined an invitation, to join their Alliance. The invited Team Representative will step forward and either Accept or Decline the invitation. If the team accepts, it is moved into that Alliance. If the team declines, it is not eligible to be picked again and the Alliance Captain extends another invitation to a different team. If an invitation from a top eight alliance team to another top eight alliance team is accepted, the team currently ranked ninth will move up to become the number eight alliance. The process continues until Alliance Eight makes a successful invitation. The same method is used for each Alliance Captain's second choice. Any teams remaining after Alliance Eight makes their second choice will not compete in the Elimination Rounds.

So, going by this.. I see no reason that a 1-8 alliance could not pick a 9 or below ranked team, and then second time around, a team from a lower rank than you in the top 8. Like if Alliance #2 selects #10, and then second time around picks #5 who already has a partner, say #7. Hence now 4 teams will now be in the alliance. Then Alliance #5 which already has teams #2, #10, #5, and #7 in it has to now (by rules) pick their "second" team leading to a 5 team alliance. NICE!!