Human players are costing points

[XXShadowXX]

90% of pentalites at Traverse City were on PS. But fouls quickly decreased though out the day (40 points down in one match can do that).

[Joe J.]

Before our Drivers & Human Players can even be concidered for that position they must pass a written test on the game rules.
Linked are copies of several tests from the past few years.

http://lightningrobotics.com/files/?...20Season/Tests

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by rcflyer620

The only thing I found strange was how many penalties were incurred for throwing an empty cell over the wall, even on experienced teams! I guess in the excitement they are just grabbing the wrong one.

In the heat of battle the empty cell can fall into the bin and be picked up and thrown in. This happened to our human player. It was his only penalty and it didn't cost us a match.

He said as the ball was leaving his hand he saw what color it was and tried to stop but it was too late.

He never threw another ball without looking at the color first. All outpost specialist should do the same.

[CJmango]

Originally Posted by keehun

You mean someone without the "DRIVER" badge (button, w/e) was driving the robot?

Yeah, the Commander/Coach button is unique - it has a green dot. Either the driver wore the wrong badge or the coah was the only one who showed up and figured that someone needed to drive.

Originally Posted by XXShadowXX

90% of pentalites at Traverse City were on PS. But fouls quickly decreased though out the day (40 points down in one match can do that).

What robot penalties did you see, XXShadowXX?

[PhilBot]

Originally Posted by IndySam

In the heat of battle the empty cell can fall into the bin and be picked up and thrown in. This happened to our human player. It was his only penalty and it didn't cost us a match.

Yes, happened to us too. We were equally lucky, but only just

Maybe a good team give-away would be a handy dandy PS "don't do this" card.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by PhilBot

Maybe a good team give-away would be a handy dandy PS "don't do this" card.

Or elctro-shock collars (with remote control) for their Payload specialists.

[engunneer]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Or elctro-shock collars (with remote control) for their Payload specialists.

Might count as remote communication, sorry.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by engunneer

Might count as remote communication, sorry.

How about tossing poppers at them then?

[vhcook]

I saw a few robot penalties in KC. Three or four red cards for losing the trailer (which got called as an S01 violation), plus a couple of penalties for multiple empty cell possession.

The payload specialists committed the vast majority of penalties. In approximate order of frequency: breaking the plane of the outpost shield while throwing over, hands in the airlock, empty cells over the wall, touching the super cells early, foot faults, and one early super cell throw.

[CJmango]

Originally Posted by vhcook

I saw a few robot penalties in KC. Three or four red cards for losing the trailer (which got called as an S01 violation), plus a couple of penalties for multiple empty cell possession.

Ah yes, losing the trailer. That happened at MWR once too. Lots of confusion because an ally robot died at the same time so it looked like the field controllers disabled the wrong robot.

[jack.j.191]

Originally Posted by rsisk

Would you mind posting a copy of your driver's test?

TIA

Here is the 2009 X-Cats Driver Test

Some aspects have been changed to focus on Human Player Aspects of the game.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

::sigh:: lol
I didn't want to make this an issue, but if some competitions are enforcing this, & some aren't going to be because it's not written for teams & they are thus surprised by this penalty, then this is a bad situation.
I will get access to our team's Q&A Username & password & ask this there to be clarified.
I don't actually mind this being a penalty, but I would like to see this being stated officially somewhere - ya know?
If only it was myself who had missed it in the rules, I would think that's ok, & not a big deal, but if the majority of CD members thoughts here is that it is not in the rules, but is being penalized (which it has been at events I've been to since the Scrimmage before ship date) then I kinda have a big problem with that.
I shall report back to these forums when I get the answer!
Until then.
-E
Edit: I just submitted the question & am awaiting a reply.

I just heard back from the GDC & it is disheartening news for week 1 Regional teams who were penalized for this very action.

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread...ght=Super+Cell

Strong emphasis mine!

Rule <G22> only requires that an EMPTY CELL be placed on the CELL RACK when it is exchanged for a SUPER CELL.
There is no requirement that an EMPTY CELL be placed in a specific location (e.g. exactly opposite a SUPER CELL).

If it was being called this way at any competition events, this was a mistake in officiating, and we apologize for that error. This will be corrected.

[galewind]

Originally Posted by IndySam

In the heat of battle the empty cell can fall into the bin and be picked up and thrown in. This happened to our human player. It was his only penalty and it didn't cost us a match.

He said as the ball was leaving his hand he saw what color it was and tried to stop but it was too late.

He never threw another ball without looking at the color first. All outpost specialist should do the same.

I was going to post the same exact thing -- in auton our robot smashed into our outpost station and knocked empty cells into the bins. Our HP picked up one and put it back onto the rack, but didn't realize a 2nd had fallen. As he threw it in, he had a darth vader moment ("NOOOOOOOOOO!").

[Elgin Clock]

Is there anyting in the rules that say those Empty Cells have to stay on the rack until they are used by the PS (minus falling of course)??

[engunneer]

no, the only requirement is that they start the match on the hook.

It seems like a good idea to leave them there so you don't accidentally throw one.