https://firstfrc.blob.core.windows.net/frc2017/Manual/TeamUpdates/TeamUpdate13.pdf
Added G01-1: Know your ROPE setup. If a Team is using their own ROPE, it must be stowed using the ROPE retention strap and/or loop pad such that it is not deployed.
So who this weekend had a team-supplied ROPE that couldn’t be properly stowed? Someone inspired that rule.
Wait, so the rope has to be at least 7 ft 2 in long? I thought it was 5’3".
Looking into the context of that quote, before this update, that paragraph was mostly talking about the field supplied ropes. It makes this update rather strange, because it seems like they want all ropes to be held using that retention strap.
I would wager that they just put this update in the wrong spot, and I am sure they did not intend to change the rules on the length of the rope.
Context for reference:
"A ROPE is a strong, thick string composed of twisted or braided strands of manila, hemp, flax, or the like,
secured to the AIRSHIP, and used to secure ROBOTS for flight at the end of the MATCH. As described in
Section 4.2 Match Setup, Teams are invited to bring and install their own ROPE. If they don’t, they can
expect default FIELD ROPES installed. These default ROPES are three (3), 1 in. (nominal) thick by 7 ft. 2
in. (~218 cm) long polypropylene “Manila” style ROPES from Knot and Rope Supply, SKU 0162. Each
default ROPE is knotted at the top, such that there’s at least 7 ft. 2 in. (~218 cm) below the knot (see
Figure 3-19), fused at the bottom, suspended from a notch at the end of each DAVIT, and stowed using
the ROPE retention strap and loop pad (as described in GE-17025) on the outside of the AIRSHIP. The
ROPE passes through the center of the TOUCHPAD and hangs down to the FIELD carpet. The PILOT
pulls the ROPE’S retention strap to deploy the ROPE. "
The default field rope will be at least 7’2" long, the team supplied ropes still have the 5’3" minimum. We were discussing this item among some Robot Inspectors Sunday.
Going to make a quick guess based on what I saw at our Duel in the Desert scrimmage here in Phoenix as well as when I watched the replay of the New Hampshire one. Velcro “ropes”* were not just stowed, but could not be released without the pilot reaching over and physically separating them from the stowage strap, which is also a hook-and-loop material.
*Still wishing that the answer to the original question on Jan 7 regarding velcro was, “No!” Would have loved to see the solutions for using an actual rope for the ROPE (ie., one that a person on the street would say is a rope and not lawyering the rules to make one fit the given description). It was refreshing to see several bots here at the Duel on Saturday using the field ropes or one that really fits the layperson definition of one. Of course it was also interesting to see a 1 inch ratchet strap get pulled apart when a bot didn’t stop trying to turn the airship around (thankfully the bot is built very sturdy).
Ha, clearly that was all part of our show! 
Hope you guys enjoyed the event. We had a blast hosting Duel in the Desert this year.