Interesting Q/A's

[AmyPrib]

Just starting this thread so that if someone sees and interesting Q/A from the FIRST forum, they can post it here (in case everyone on CD isn't checking Q/A). Please try to keep it to ones that haven't really been discussed or mentioned before, or ones that get answered with a completely different interpretation than expected. Also please try to keep any debate on these to a minimum, since they are official answers from FIRST.

Here's a few I think are interesting.

Question:
Can the human player jump when entering the ball onto the field?
If the human player jumps from behind the starting line and lands in front of the starting line, is a 5 point penalty assessed?

GDC Answer:
HUMAN PLAYERS must keep their feet on the ground when entering balls onto the field. Jump shots and volleyball "spikes" are not permitted when entering balls onto the field.
If the HUMAN PLAYER enters a ball onto the field, and in the process crosses over the STARTING LINE, then it will be considered a violation of Rule <G33>.

Question:
Rule <G42> states: "Any discussions regarding rules, scores, or penalties must be between the DRIVERs or HUMAN PLAYERs (pre-college team members) and the head referee."

The rule using "(pre-college team members)", seems to imply that a COACH who is a pre-college student team member would be allowed to discuss rules, scores, penalties, et cetera, with the referee.
Is this a correct interpretation of the rule?

GDC Answer:
No, only DRIVERS or HUMAN PLAYERS may interact with the head referee.

Question:
According to G05, after a ball has been scored, it cannot be scored again until after it's re-entered into play.

How will it be assessed if the HP accidentally drops a ball in the HP corral (corner goal) and it bounces/rolls into the path of the scoring sensor while still in the corral? Will it count for the opposing team? Or would this be considered inteference with scoring? If it's not supposed to count, are we expecting refs to catch this and deduct it? If it does remain counted, then the questions are voided.

GDC Answer:
It will count for the opposing team. Accidental mistakes will count for the other team, intentional dropping would be a violation of <G39> Scoring Interference and result in disqualification.