First some relevant rules/definitions:
<G7> Hexballs that leave the playing field will be promptly returned to the playing field at the location nearest the point at which they exited. If the nearest point to which it exited is in a Goal it will be returned to a spot that is adjacent to and not in the Goal.
Scoring Zone – The sections of the Floor bounded by the inner edge of the Fence and the inner edges of the field walls. The Fence and the Bridge are not considered to be in either Scoring Zone
Goal – A Low Goal or an Elevated Goal.
Low Goal – One (1) of the sixteen (16), 5-6” wide, 6” deep volumes bounded by VEX IQ plates, field walls, and the Floor, where teams can Score Hexballs. Eight (8) of the Low Goals are additionally bounded at the top by VEX IQ plates and have a height of 6.25”.
Elevated Goal – One (1) of the twelve (12), 6” wide, 6” deep volumes bounded by VEX IQ plates, where teams can Score HexBalls. Four (4) of the Elevated Goals are additionally bounded at the top by VEX IQ plates and have a height of 6.25”.
At a recent event a referee was considering the Scoring Zone to be a Goal with respect to <G7>. If in the process of attempting to score an orange hexball on the orange Elevated Goal the orange hexball falls off the orange Elevated Goal and out of the field the orange hexball was being placed back in the blue Scoring Zone so that it would not count as any points.t
I don’t believe the referee was correctly interpreting the definition of Goal and therefore returning balls incorrectly for <G7>. Could you please clarify the following:
- Is the Scoring Zone considered a Goal?
- In the above example, should the hexball be returned to the orange Scoring Zone in front of the orange Elevated Goal or returned to the blue Scoring Zone?