<G09> BALL Starting Positions – Prior to the MATCH, each ALLIANCE is provided with six BALLS to be placed on the FIELD. The BALLS must be placed on a STARTING GRID location prior to the MATCH start. When the FIELD is viewed from the ALLIANCE STATION, the BALLS must be placed on the right side of the CENTER LINE, with one BALL in the near ZONE, two BALLS in the MIDFIELD, and three BALLS in the far ZONE. The BALLS must not be in contact with a ROBOT at the start of the MATCH.
This rule states that the balls are placed by the teams, however many on our team seem to think the placement is randomized. I’m just wondering if everyone’s reading this as being able to place the balls where you want them (similar to the Lunacy moon rocks) or if they are randomized by the referees (much like the placement of the balls in Overdrive).
The manual says that teams recieve six balls to place as they wish with the following restrictions (direction with respect to your driver station) as posted before:
<G09> BALL Starting Positions – Prior to the MATCH, each ALLIANCE is provided with six BALLS to be placed on the FIELD. The BALLS must be placed on a STARTING GRID location prior to the MATCH start. When the FIELD is viewed from the ALLIANCE STATION, the BALLS must be placed on the right side of the CENTER LINE, with one BALL in the near ZONE, two BALLS in the MIDFIELD, and three BALLS in the far ZONE. The BALLS must not be in contact with a ROBOT at the start of the MATCH.
It seems pretty clear to me that the alliance can place them wherever they want as long as you fulfill the requirements above.
As I understand it the balls are placed on the 3X3 grid by the team and the only thing the refs can move is the robot if it is aligned with a external tool.