FIRST Tech Challenge Teams - Rules Update

[Karthik]

from FIRST Tech Challenge Teams <ftcteams@usfirst.org>

Hello Teams:

A few items for all teams to review today. Please make sure you have
read through this thoroughly.
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- Based on our feedback and questions, the FTC Game Design Committee has
opted to update this year's rules for questions pertaining to scoring
rings that are rung on the movable goals. An updated version of Section
2 is available on our website at
http://www.usfirst.org/community/fvc/content.aspx?id=962. The
modified/new rules read as follows:

*<SG5>* Removing (de-scoring) /rings/ from /posts/ is not allowed. If
such de-scoring is ruled to be intentional, the offending team may be
disqualified from that /match/. Repeated offenses could result in a team
being disqualified from the remainder of the competition. Any /rings/
that are removed from /posts/, intentionally or accidentally, will still
be counted as /rung/

*<SG7>* Tipping of /goals/ is not allowed. If tipping is ruled to be
intentional, the offending team may be disqualified from that /match/.
Repeated offenses could result in a team being disqualified from the
remainder of the competition.

These rules have been put into place for our teams to better understand
the process of scoring game matches, as well as to better train our
volunteers prior to competitions. We appreciate your understanding, and
invite you to post any further questions about this year's game on our
FTC Q&A Forum (reopening shortly) or to email your questions to
ftcteams@usfirst.org to be posted once the FTC Forum is back up.
________________________________________

- Don't forget: according to this year's rules, you must have the
correct master code and templates in your robots as well as a Power Pack
as the only acceptable source of power to your robot. If you have Power
Pack batteries that you have previously used, or if you have a
Programming Kit with easyC 2.0 included, you do not need to repurchase
these items for 2007. If you are not sure if you need these items,
please contact ftcteams@usfirst.org for more information.

You may find out more about downloading the template and programming
your robot here:
http://www.usfirst.org/community/fvc/content.aspx?id=6650

You may purchase the Vex Power Pack here:
http://shop.intelitek.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_28&products_id=60
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-power-pack.shtml
(*Note: VexLabs also sells individual Vex batteries.)

You may purchase the Vex Programming Kit here:
http://shop.intelitek.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_28&products_id=54
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-programming-kit.shtml
________________________________________

- Most of our tournament dates have been posted to our website at
http://www.usfirst.org/community/fvc/events.aspx?id=720&amp;menu_id=84.
Some of the dates are still blank, in which case you should still
contact your local Affiliate Partner for more information.

Please remember that you must be registered and paid with FIRST before
competing in any FTC Local, Qualifying, or Championship Tournaments.
Sign up fast, as many spots in our tournaments are going quickly!
Inquire with your Affiliate Partner to find out how many spots in your
local Championship Tournament are left.
________________________________________

- We will be taking pre-orders for FTC Challenge Kits very soon. We are
working to set up the online ordering and secure vendors for the rest of
the necessary products. Please watch for more information very shortly.