How Much Defense Can You Play?

[Mr. Lim]

With the loading zone and pyramid being "protected zones" this year, I'm curious to just how much defense teams will play around those zones. Will defenders risk driving right up against protected robots? Will offensive robots risk pushing the defenders back to clear space or escape? Or will everyone keep some distance from each other to avoid taking penalties one way or another...

There are a few good Q&As on it, but the GDC can't comment on every specific hypothetical scenario. These are some examples:

Q255
https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/...ther-robot-cau

Q256
https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/...her-with-our-r

Q284
https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/...t-under-g27-or

As an offensive robot in a protected zone, if a defender comes to block you, would you push them back to create shooting space? Would you push them out of the way to create an avenue to escape out of the loading zone? Both of these risk getting assessed a G18-1 penalty. Or do you play it safe and just run away the moment a defender puts pressure on you.

As a defender, are you comfortable driving right up against a protected robot to block it? This risks getting a G30 penalty if the offensive robot pushes back. Or do you keep your distance so they can't hit you while they're still protected?

These are a lot of hypotheticals that will come up at regionals, but it appears we won't be able to clarify them all beforehand via the Q&A.

I think it's worthwhile to have a discussion to see what everyone's thoughts are. Recent "full court shooter" videos are starting to pop up. No doubt alliances will want to send a defender to deal with them. What exactly will you tell this defender to do?