Defense, It's still here.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by chapmatr

Not sure if anyone else caught this, but the rules say that if the ball is knocked off of the overpass you get points. So it doesn't matter HOW they fall, so long as they do.

Removing the ball from the overpass after the hybrid period is over does not score any points. It would be to an alliance's advantage to leave the opposing alliance's trackballs on the overpass until just before the end of the match, and remove them at the last possible moment in order to deprive the opponents of the <G14> bonus.

Originally Posted by <G09>

During the HYBRID PERIOD, each TRACKBALL that is removed from the OVERPASS (i.e. completely removed from its initial TARGET LOCATION and not in contact with any portions of the OVERPASS) at the end of the HYBRID PERIOD will earn 8 points.

Originally Posted by <G14>

When the MATCH ends, each TRACKBALL is at least partially supported by the OVERPASS and not in contact with any ROBOT of the same ALLIANCE will earn a 12 point bonus.

[GMKlenklen]

it seems the GDC has replaced the "kitbot and bumbpers = ram" defence with something more like "kitbot and bumpers = racecar" "defence". In which you can only score points, and defensive oppertunities are also penalty opertunities.

it seems to me there are really 3 viable strategies for the teleoperated period:

run around the field

run around field with Trackball

hurdel Trackball

[Molten]

If in POSSESSION of a TRACKBALL, the ROBOT may “bump” the IMPEDING ROBOT with the TRACKBALL outside the BUMPER ZONE, providing the contact is made exclusively with the TRACKBALL.

Take note of this part of the G38 rule. I think that this shows that the original strategy of this thread is allowed. Even if it is not amongst bumper to bumper pushes. It should be allowed as long as they just use a trackball to do all of the pushing. It wouldn't be that hard to design a mechanism that would pick up the ball and hold it in front of itself in a sturdy fashion. With this, it could almost make the ball a part of itself. Of course, to do this for the entire match would cause your team mates to only have one trackball to score with so it is really a mute point. I just thought I would throw this idea out there among the masses and see what you can do with it.

Also, to all of you who believe that defense is unimportant. Just imagine a football team with no defense. Really that analogy works for any sport, football just happens to be a good example.

Finally, a humorous thought to part on. Just imagine if you were to fire that trackball as a projectile. They do not have restrictions on this like they did in the Aim High. Hard telling how fast you could get that ball to. I KNOW THIS DOES NOT GO WITH GP. I just thought it a funny picture to see a ball that size being launched at incredible speed and imagine the impact.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Molten

Finally, a humorous thought to part on. Just imagine if you were to fire that trackball as a projectile. They do not have restrictions on this like they did in the Aim High. Hard telling how fast you could get that ball to. I KNOW THIS DOES NOT GO WITH GP. I just thought it a funny picture to see a ball that size being launched at incredible speed and imagine the impact.

But along with GP, if one team is trying to hurdle while another team is trying to block them, is it really the first teams fault if the second team incurs damage (or tips over, which would be a real possibility) if they are successful at blocking the ball?