Answered: G12 & Pushing opponents

[NevL]

G12 states

<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.

My question is what is the definition of “damaging.”

Recently at a tournament our robot was a 8 motor drive push robot whose job is to push cubes of its own colour on its own tile,and push the opponents cubes away from them, and interact with near by robots to slow down their scoring on posts. We do not not entangle robots, nor do we tip robots. In the finals match an opponent was trying to push us and tripped their PTC. We were warned that we were violating G12 and that the next time we’d interact with the opponent we would we disqualified.

My second question is was this rule interpreted correctly? Was this damaging?

[Karthik]

@NevL

My question is what is the definition of “damaging.”

A standard dictionary definition applies here. If you employ strategies to intentionally damage opposing robots, you are in violation of <G12>

@NevL

Recently at a tournament our robot was a 8 motor drive push robot whose job is to push cubes of its own colour on its own tile,and push the opponents cubes away from them, and interact with near by robots to slow down their scoring on posts. We do not not entangle robots, nor do we tip robots. In the finals match an opponent was trying to push us and tripped their PTC. We were warned that we were violating G12 and that the next time we’d interact with the opponent we would we disqualified.

My second question is was this rule interpreted correctly? Was this damaging?

It’s impossible for us to issue a blanket ruling on a snapshot of a situation, like the one you’ve described. But from the information presented this absolutely does not seem like a violation of <G12>. Pushing battles are normal and expected in VRC matches. Actions like this are rarely, if ever, in violation of <G12>.

[NevL]

Awesome, Thanks