Hey there all,
I’m of course watching the Robot in 3 Days challenge currently (as I assume we all are).
Team WPI’s day 1 recap (https://youtu.be/-dGQbBmDk9A) states that “Teams cannot cross into the Null Zone”, specifying that a penalty would be received. Is this true? If so, why does everyone discuss strategy for preventing scoring via switch manipulation?
~Tertola
The reason why people talk about cancelling the scales is due to the fact that the null zone can be crossed after auto has concluded, however, alliance robots cannot go into the opposing alliances side during auto, according to rule A04. Once the auto time has concluded, the field becomes open for both alliances to go onto, otherwise the portals would have no purpose.
Teams can cross the null zone of their color with no threat of penalty. If you contact an opposing robot in their null zone, you receive a tech foul (G16).
So you may only cross the field on one side safely. That is how you get to the opponent’s switch and the portal loading zones.
They are somewhat correct. In auto, you cant cross the null territory into the other alliances part of the field (A04). This is not the case in teleop though, just watch out if you cross the other alliances null territory as any hit counts as a tech foul. (G16)
During AUTO you cannot cross MIDLINE or risk Fouls and cards IMO
Edit: Far end of NULL
This brings up a good point. The folks doing Ri3D are people just like the rest of us and don’t always understand/repeat rules with 100% accuracy. Obviously, they do their best to relay correct information, but make sure to double check anything that sounds off.
A04 lets you go quite a bit farther than midline.
Good catch its far end of NULL this year, but if YOU tag them in your NULL that’s a TECH in Auto IMO
Think about the Null Territory like the Secret Passage in Stronghold–the contact rules are similar. The difference here is that for speed you may want to go through that zone, and doing so won’t be penalized.
If your opponent is in the Territory, you do NOT want to be around them (unless they’re also in your Platform Zone). If they are not in or near their Null Territory, you have a good short at getting through.