Answered: Reacting with the field perimeter

[WANGG]

With regards to the ability to touch a field element, I have 2 questions:

1: What is the definition of grasping/grappling/attaching to field elements in the game?

2: If we are only allowed to react with 1 plane of the perimeter, is pushing against the perimeter for support (for elevation) allowed?

Thanks!

[Karthik]

@WANGG

With regards to the ability to touch a field element, I have 2 questions:

1: What is the definition of grasping/grappling/attaching to field elements in the game?

Standard dictionary definitions apply. Typically, reacting with more than one side of a field element would be considered a violation.

@WANGG

2: If we are only allowed to react with 1 plane of the perimeter, is pushing against the perimeter for support (for elevation) allowed?

This really depends on the exact situation. If you provide more details, we can provided a more substantive answer.

[WANGG]

@Karthik

Standard dictionary definitions apply. Typically, reacting with more than one side of a field element would be considered a violation.

Okay. Thanks for the clarification.

@Karthik

This really depends on the exact situation. If you provide more details, we can provided a more substantive answer.

Previously, our idea was to have a rack and pinion system such that we could push against the perimeter to lift our mechanism. But since the competition is over, we have thought of new ways to elevate. But if you could clarify, that would be awesome.

Also, could I ask a few more questions? I am fairly new to the Nothing But net rules and would like to improve my knowledge of the game.

Originally Posted by VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual
In a Robot Skills Match, Robot Skills Loads can only be loaded in the Loading Zone
adjacent to where they started the Robot Skills Match.

In a recent competition that I attended, Singapore VEX, we ran our robot skills run. After using our 32 Driver loads the referees told us that we were not allowed to drive to the other alliance tiles to load the other driver loads. Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember you posting the updates in the manual and saying that in order to use the other driver loads, we would need to drive to the other tile to access them.

Originally Posted by VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual
<SG14> Robots may not intentionally grasp, grapple or attach to any Field Elements. Strategies with mechanisms that react against multiple sides of a field element in an effort to latch onto said field element are prohibited. The intent of this rule is to prevent teams from both unintentionally damaging the field, and from anchoring themselves to the field. Minor violations of this rule that do not affect the match will result in a warning. Egregious (match affecting) offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the head referee’s discretion.

Coming back to this topic, could I ask if we are allowed to touch the exterior of the perimeter such that it is only touching the exterior, but will not pull/support any weight onto the field perimeter? It is purely for stability purposes and preventing the robot from toppling over.

Originally Posted by VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual
<G12> a. If a Robot has expanded beyond its 18”x18”x18” size limitation and is outside the Climbing
Zone it is responsible for any type of Entanglement that occurs with an opponent. If an
expanded Robot becomes Entangled while fully within its Climbing Zone, its opponent would
be responsible.

Originally Posted by VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual
<SG3> A Robot may not expand beyond a volume of 18 inches wide by 18 inches long by 18 inches
tall at any point during the Match, with the exception of the allowance listed in <SG10>. Minor
violations of this rule that do not affect the match will result in a warning. Egregious (match affecting)
offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a
Disqualification at the head referee’s discretion.

Would a robot expanded horizontally outside the climbing zone be disqualified? Or does it only get disqualified once an entanglement has occurred?

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Karthik]

@WANGG

In a recent competition that I attended, Singapore VEX, we ran our robot skills run. After using our 32 Driver loads the referees told us that we were not allowed to drive to the other alliance tiles to load the other driver loads. Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember you posting the updates in the manual and saying that in order to use the other driver loads, we would need to drive to the other tile to access them.

This ruling was incorrect. As stated in the rule quoted above Skills Loads may only be loaded in the Alliance Starting Tiles adjacent to the Alliance Station that the Balls began in. You should have been allowed to drive to the other tiles to access the additional Skills Loads.

@WANGG

Coming back to this topic, could I ask if we are allowed to touch the exterior of the perimeter such that it is only touching the exterior, but will not pull/support any weight onto the field perimeter? It is purely for stability purposes and preventing the robot from toppling over.

This is very dependent on the actually implementation. However, in general touching the field perimeter is fine, but attaching to it is not.

@WANGG

Would a robot expanded horizontally outside the climbing zone be disqualified? Or does it only get disqualified once an entanglement has occurred?

Team are warned for any offenses that are not match affecting. Match affecting offenses will result in a disqualification.