Answered: Automatic Siding with "Offensive" vs "Defensive" Robot

[1501_vince]

I am posting by the request of the host team who filled the referee positions and with their permission I am using their official response.

Backstory:
‘College A’ was accused of violating G12 in a match where Robot from College A pushed Robot from ‘College B’ in order to disrupt them from scoring on a goal post (not skyrise). My argument is that both robots are offensive and that being a “defensive” robot does not automatically disqualify you. None the less, the referee ruling was final. We will be returning to the host team for additional competitions this year and would like this clarified for future tournaments.

This is their official response:
“Under section 2 <G12> in the Game Manuel (pg.10), clearly states that the referee has to take the side of the offensive robot when posed against a defensive robot. Karthik Kanagasabapathy, Chairman of the VEX Robotics Competition Game Design Committee, defined offensive and defensive actions here. Since your robot’s end-effector did not contain any scoring objects when it collided with (College Name) robot, hindering them from scoring, your robot was considered a defensive robot under these circumstances.”

The link is here:
https://vexforum.com/t/answered-q-set-4-definitions-of-offense-and-defense/21082/1
Where your referenced quote is: "Typically, offensive actions include, but are not limited to; Scoring, picking up Scoring Objects, etc. Typically, defensive actions include, but are not limited to; pushing, blocking, pinning, etc. "

So, was there an infraction of any rule? Can this rule even be broken at all…

[Karthik]

‘College A’ was accused of violating G12 in a match where Robot from College A pushed Robot from ‘College B’ in order to disrupt them from scoring on a goal post (not skyrise). My argument is that both robots are offensive and that being a “defensive” robot does not automatically disqualify you. None the less, the referee ruling was final. We will be returning to the host team for additional competitions this year and would like this clarified for future tournaments.

This is their official response:
“Under section 2 <G12> in the Game Manuel (pg.10), clearly states that the referee has to take the side of the offensive robot when posed against a defensive robot. Karthik Kanagasabapathy, Chairman of the VEX Robotics Competition Game Design Committee, defined offensive and defensive actions here. Since your robot’s end-effector did not contain any scoring objects when it collided with (College Name) robot, hindering them from scoring, your robot was considered a defensive robot under these circumstances.”

Let’s take a look at the entirety of <G12> to make sure there’s no misunderstanding. I’ve bolded the text pertinent to this situation.

<G12> Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or Entanglement of Robots are not part of the ethos of the VEX Robotics Competition and are not allowed. However, VEX Skyrise is an interactive game. Some incidental tipping, Entanglement, and damage may occur as a part of normal game play. If the tipping, Entanglement, or damage is ruled to be intentional or egregious, the offending team may be disqualified from that Match. Repeated offenses could result in a team being Disqualified from the remainder of the competition.

VEX Skyrise is intended to be an offensive game. Teams that partake in solely defensive strategies will undergo extra scrutiny in regard to <G12>. In the case where referees are forced to make a judgment call on interaction between a defensive and offensive Robot, the referees will err on the side of the offensive Robot.

a. Robots that have expanded horizontally in an effort to obstruct the field will undergo even more scrutiny under <G12>, and will not be protected under <G12>. e.g. If you choose to undertake this type of strategy, your robot should be built to withstand vigorous interaction.
i. Furthermore, teams that undertake this type of obstructive strategy would not be protected by <SG3>. e.g. There is no penalty for pinning a “wall-bot”.

A team is responsible for the actions of its Robot. This goes for teams that are driving recklessly and potentially causing damage, but also goes for teams that drive around with a small wheel base and arm extended. A team should design its Robot such that it is not easily tipped over or damaged by minor contact.

The first bolded section is the most important part. <G12> is intended to protect Robots, especially Robots engaging in offensive maneuvers, from strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or Entanglement of their robots. The offensive vs. defensive clause in this rule only applies if there is a borderline call that involves strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or Entanglement of robots. In these sorts of close judgement calls, referees should err on the side of the offensive Robot.

In the case you described, there is no destruction, damage, tipping over, or Entanglement. Simply pushing is never a penalty in VEX Skyrise, unless it violates another rule (e.g. <SG9>). Thus there should have been no penalty here, based on what has been described to us.