Did anyone else see it this way?

[P.J. Baker]

Originally Posted by IndySam

That rule isn't any clearer.

Must not, but incidental will not be penalized.
Generaly won't be penalized?

I've gone back and forth trying to decide if this rule is clear - which leads me to conclude that it is not.

It is a catch all that should probably be listed as several rules in the future. Personally, I would like it to address the following items:

Pushing - Robots are expected to push each other during normal game play. Pushing must occur via robot to robot contact in the bumper zone. Penalties will be assessed for pushing outside the bumper zone. A DQ may be assessed at the discretion of the referee.

No fault entanglement - It is expected that robots will occasionally become entangled during normal game play. The entangled parties must attempt to become un-entangled. Penalties/DQ's will only be assessed if one party uses this situation to pull another more than is needed to break the entanglement, creating a risk for tipping or robot damage.

At fault entanglement - At the discretion of the referee, teams with robot design features and/or strategies which are considered to present an entanglement risk will be penalized if there is an entanglement during the match. Robot design features that present risk must be modified prior to that robots next match.

Pulling - Robots on opposing alliances are not expected to pull each other during normal game play. Some pulling is allowed between robots in a No Fault Entanglement. Outside of this situation, the pulling robot will be assessed and penalty and possibly a DQ.

Contact outside the bumper zone - Contact between robots outside the bumper zone is expected during normal game play as robots attempt to score on and defend against each other. However, this contact can easily lead to at fault entanglement, pushing outside the bumper zone and pulling, all of which carry penalties or DQ's. Please design your robots and strategies accordingly.

It's certainly not perfect, but it's a start and perhaps a little bit clearer. Please add, subtract and edit with your own thoughts.