signal from stands?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by johnr

Erich, i have to disagree with your interpretation of rules. Those all seem to talk about the members on playing field. There was a q&a response to a not as specific question as mine. We wouldn't do it but there doesn't seem to be a rule against it.

The communication outside of the arena is quite specific--any communication goes only one way (inbound) and can't have a reciever. It also provides a competitive advantage.

If I was reffing, and a team was obviously communicating outside of the arena (i.e., to the stands or the team cheering area), I would talk to the head ref. The audience CAN affect the game.

Twice in 2008 that I know of, the audience affected gameplay/match ending. At a regional, someone was generating IR interference, intentionally or not, until an announcement came that they were interfering and would be tracked down if they didn't stop. And then there was the one red card at Championships, which was at least partially due to audience reaction.

If the audience is affecting gameplay, then you effectively have a) more people than allowed in the alliance station and b) they are in the wrong area. Both are penalties.

I think this is like the bumper rules--separately, they have one effect, but taken together, they have a very pronounced effect that is also very limiting.

I looked at the Q&A you referenced, and that refers you to <T22> and <T23>. Again, taken as a whole, you can't. Taken individually, you can. I'd go with the "taken as a whole" approach. (This is like some cases last year where "That would be a violation of the spirit, but not necessarily the letter, of the rules.")