Game Rules and Game Play - Answer Thread

[Wil Wheaton]

If a ball were to land on the pentagonal base outside of the tube on one of the 30, 60, or 90cm tubes and no other balls were to enter the tube, would that ball on the base outside the tube be worth points for its height in centimeters?

A: When determining Ball Height for scoring a Rolling Goal, only Balls that are within the Ball Tube will be considered. Balls outside the Ball Tube are ignored, even if they are supported by the Rolling Goal Base.

[Wil Wheaton]

If the opposingalliances intentionally knocks off the center goal will they getpenalized for it, if so how much? Canpoints be scored into it while on the ground?

thanks for the help

A: Knocking a Center Goal off of the Center Field Structure will be considered Tipping the Center Goal. Rules <GS5>, <GS14> and <GS15> will all also apply to a Tipped Center Goal as the particular situation merits (i.e. Major Penalty for Tipping <GS14>, possible 2nd Major Penalty + Full Center Goal for Descoring Opposing Alliance Center Goal <GS5>, and the Tipped Goal may not be scored into <GS15>)

[Raj]

It is easy to imagine a full goal (either rolling or center) completely filled up with part of a ball sticking out the top.

Will the score for a goal include that part of a ball that is sticking out? Or is there a maximum score for each goal?

A: There is a maximum score for each goal and it is documented in Section 1.4.3 of Part 2 of the Game Manual.

[Raj]

You are not allowed to remove balls from an opponent's scoring tube. Are balls on the base counted for this rule?

A: Since the balls have not been scored, you can remove the balls from the base provided no other rules are violated - namely <GS5>, <GS2>, <GS9>. and <GS13>.

[Raj]

For scoring at the end of the game, where 10 points is given for an item in the Parking Zone and 30 points is given for an item Off the Floor, is it theoretically possible for the same item to be both in the Parking Zone and Off the Floor, or are those mutually exclusive criteria? In particular, if an item is completely elevated in the air space above the Parking Zone, does that item score both 10 points and 30 points?

A: You will not get 30 points for being Off the Floor plus 10 points for being in the Parking Zone. Only one bonus (30 points) will apply plus points for the ball height achieved.

[Raj]

I am the team programmer, and I need to know how high the IR Beacon is off the ground. The only problem is, I haven't found a specification of the height anywhere. If you can answer that would be awesome!

A: The bolt that holds the IR Beacon door tag is 24.375" off the soft tiles. Depending on the type of IR Beacon in use, the height of the IR source may be different. The mounting board specifications for the IR Beacon has not changed from the previous year.

[Raj]

I'm sorry to belabor this point, but I just want to be clear on this ruling as another coach interpreted the previous rulings differently than I do.

My understanding of the intent of <GS8> is that only incidental contact with the Ball Tube is allowed, regardless of what actions you are doing, and that intentional contact (not just grabbing) will result in a Minor Penalty. Is this understanding correct?

A: That is correct. Only incidental contact with the Ball Tube is allowed. All other contact with the Ball Tube will result in Penalty.

[Raj]

If there is an air gap between balls in the tube how will the balls be scored? If you have some in the tube and then you put more in and they don't slide down would the score be where the last balls reach on the scoring tape? The balls would not be near the balls below.

A: There should not be an air gap in the final state of the Ball Tube. If there is, that might mean possible field damage or intentionally removing parts of robots (both of which are penalized). The referee will remove any air gap and then take the measurement.

[Raj]

Question 64 posted by FTC8538 at 10-02-2014, 10:45 PM asked about "an item in the Parking Zone" being Completely Off the Floor and In the Parking Zone. The response was consistent with the Note in section 1.4.4 of Game Manual Part 2 with respect to the Rolling Goal. However, the question was worded in a way that applied to Robots and to Rolling Goals. Would a Robot that is Completely Off the Floor and Inside the Parking Zone receive 30 points or 40 points?

A: Only one bonus (30 points) will apply regardless of whether it was a robot or a Rolling Goal. Plus you will receive points for ball height in the Tubes. You will not receive 30 points + 10 points at all.

[Raj]

Hi,
If our team uses a funnel to go over the tube, does that count as grasping the floor goal? Doesn't seem to be outlined in <G8>.
JTM Team 6191

A: Asked and answered in post "Grabbing a ball tube" dated 9/21/14. You can't do this. It does count as grasping. Please read all Q&A prior to posting a question.