[OCCRA]: Robot Violence

[Mr. Mac]

As the rules state: "Robot interaction is allowed and expected anywhere on the field. This includes pushing, shoving, bumping, blocking, setting 'picks' and fighting for position. However, robot action/contact intended to disable or damage the opponent is forbidden." We had one instance on Saturday where the refs considered making a call because some very tenacious defense was being played. They decided to let it go because the robot in question was actively defending a goal AND was not ramming at a real high speed (it was taking a 10 foot run up to the opponent, so it was hitting with some velocity, but it did not take a real long run or get up to its top speed.) The refs will continue to look at instances of ramming and it could be called excessive at any time. We realize that this is kind of arbitrary but, without radar guns, we are leaving the decision up to the subjective interpretations of the refs. So, rammers beware: if the refs think your ramming speed is excessive, unnecessary, or likely to cause damage, a penalty will be called.