<SG4> A robot cannot pin an opposing robot for more than five seconds during the driver controlled period while on the foam playing surface. If a referee determines this rule to be violated, the offending robot will be disqualified for the match.
Question: How long does the offending robot need to wait until it pins again?
Question: How far back does the offending robot need to move away before it pins again?
From the defs:
Pinning – A robot is considered to be pinning an opposing robot if it is inhibiting the movement of an opponent robot while the opposing robot is in contact with the foam playing surface and another field element.
Question: Does the offending robot need to wait until the opposing robot is no longer in contact with the foam playing surface and the field element before it is allowed to pin again?
In our events we have said the offending robot must back away one robot length (18") before moving back in to pin.
(Why yes, I am becoming a huge fan of Clean Sweep because of the rampant robot to robot pushing and shoving, how did you guess?)
After careful discussion among the VEX Robotics Competition Game Design Committee, we have reviewed the early game play of VEX Round Up and have decided to make an addition to the pinning rule <SG4>. The new version of this rule will appear in the VEX Round Up Manual next week.
Here is the amended rule, with new text in bold.
<SG4> A robot cannot pin an opposing robot for more than five seconds during the driver controlled period while on the foam playing surface. **A pin is officially over once the pinning team has moved away from the pinned robot by 2 feet. After ending a pin, a team may not pin the same robot again for a duration of 5 seconds. **If a referee determines this rule to be violated, the offending robot will be disqualified for the match. **
Please note: The definition of pinning does not require contact between the pinning and pinned robot. Trapping a robot in a corner of the field, while the trapped robot is in contact with the foam tiles and a field element is considered pinning. Thus all pinning restrictions stated in this rule apply.**
Now in response to the questions posted.
Five seconds.
Two feet.
No. As long as they have backed up by 2’ and waited for 5 seconds, they may begin the pin again.