A rather lengthy strategy concern...

[Vikesrock]

1. a)

Originally Posted by FRC Manual

<G08> All TRACKBALL scores are awarded to the ALLIANCE associated with the scored
TRACKBALL, independent of the ROBOT that may have caused the scoring action to occur.
......................................
<G10> Each TRACKBALL that has CROSSED its own FINISH LINE while not in contact with a
ROBOT of the same ALLIANCE will earn 2 points. A TRACKBALL that has CROSSED its
own FINISH LINE which contacts ROBOTS of both ALLIANCES while CROSSING will earn
2 points.

These two rules address this issue. If an opponent herds your ball across your finish line, regardless of whether they are in contact or not when they do so, you will receive the points.

b) The trackball is what matters, not the robot. Referring to <G10> again the trackball cannot be in contact with your robot at any point during crossing the line to earn points (from the instant it begins to cross to the instant it has completely crossed the line and is in the next quadrant.)

c) The ball does not have to be removed to qualify for the bonus. This is addressed in this Q&A


2.a) If they meet the definition of Hurdling:

HURDLING: The act of completing a HURDLE. To be considered in the process of HURDLING,
the ROBOT must:
• be in its own HOME STRETCH, and
• be in POSSESSION of a TRACKBALL, and
• be moving toward the OVERPASS and/or elevating the TRACKBALL so that the top of the
TRACKBALL is higher than the LANE DIVIDER.

Then they are protected per <G42>. I can't find the original reference that extended the protection to trackballs as well (a team update perhaps) but it is mentioned in this Q&A
. Beyond that I don't see any reason that their trackball would be protected.

b) If you are just "idling" and you make no attempt to move and continue blocking and there is room to pass then you should be okay. The relevant rule is <G40>:

<G40> IMPEDING Traffic – ROBOTS shall not intentionally IMPEDE the flow of traffic around the
TRACK. A ROBOT will be considered to be IMPEDING traffic if it is preventing an opposing
ROBOT from proceeding around the TRACK. A ROBOT can be found to be IMPEDING
traffic if:
• the ROBOT is traveling slowly relative to the approaching ROBOT, and moving to
prevent the approaching ROBOT from passing, or
• the ROBOT is stopped on the TRACK and there is no clear lane of passage for the
opposing ROBOT, or
• the ROBOT pins an opposing ROBOT against an arena element, border, or another
ROBOT
Note that a ROBOT is not IMPEDING traffic if:
• there is a clear “passing lane” around the ROBOT, or
• the IMPEDING ROBOT and the approaching ROBOT are from the same ALLIANCE (i.e.
a ROBOT can not impede another ROBOT of the same ALLIANCE), or
• the ROBOT is in the process of HURDLING (except as noted in Rule <G43>).

Thorough enough for you?

[master_nickz]

Thanks for your guys's clarification! It has helped a ton! Any other additional thoughts are still welcome, though!

[master_nickz]

By the way, thanks a lot for making it easy to find the answers by quoting the rulebook in depth.