Protection to shooters

[Wayne Doenges]

This is for all teams tha have been to at least one regional.
In the FIRST rules 'Hurdling' is defined this way:

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.

What hurdling protection is given to Shooters? Most shooters keep the ball low, just before they shoot. Like we do.
Are the refs giving penalties to opponents that interfere with shooters in their Home Stretch?

Thanks for any help.

Wayne Doenges
Team 1501 (THRUST)