Pushing robots out of loading zone

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by Aignam

If in having a pushing match or playing defense, one or both of the robots happen to cross over or accidentally touch the loading zones, but there is obviously no intent to use the loading zone, is it still considered illegal?

That would be a good question for Q/A. I think the whole "intent to use the loading zone" would be a big debate. But I agree in that if you are in a pushing situation, and you push them into the loading zone, they could claim that they were trying to get a tetra and that it should be a penalty.
I don't know how they will enforce, interpret, or play out this rule. I think it will be difficult since the rule allows you to be touching any part of the zone to be considered inside it. The rule states that that zone is not intended as a "safe" zone for teams to squat in during the match, but as a safety issues so that tetras can be loaded without injury. In a pushing match scenario, I think it would be difficult for the opponent to see across the field and know if his prey is touching that zone or not. I don't know. This one will be an interesting rule.