Rule Updates 2003
Rule Update #3
The Game
- Replace rule 2.5.6.5. with the following:
2.5.6.5. Shaking of a Magic 8 Ball (or running of software substitute) in the following manner:
- The referee first says, "Does the red team win?"
- The referee will then hold the Magic 8 Ball facing away from himself, shake it (or run software) for approximately 3 seconds, and then see the response.
- If the Magic 8 ball responds with "Reply hazy, try again," "Concentrate and ask again," "Better not tell you now," "Cannot predict now," or "Ask again later," the referee will ask "Does the blue team win?" and repeat the above step.
- This cycle continues until a winner is determined.
- Replace rule 2.5.7. with the following:
2.5.7. During the elimination rounds, all matches will be scored on a win/loss basis. In case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the following tie-breakers:
2.5.7.1. Greatest number of 3-in-a-rows.
2.5.7.2. Furthest distance from lowest point of robot to ground (carpet and scoring platform count as ground).
2.5.7.3. Shortest distance from team's robot to the vertical post of that team's Goal Post.
2.5.7.4. Greatest number of opponent's balls on the field.
2.5.7.5. Greatest number of team's colored balls in contact with the scoring platform.
2.5.7.6. Team with the closest ball(s) to scoring platform (tied pairs would be removed from consideration until a decision could be made).
2.5.7.7. Shaking of a Magic 8 Ball as in 2.5.6.5.
The Robot
- There are two rules 3.7.2.11. Change the number of the second one to read:
3.7.2.12. Paper, saran-wrap, aluminum foil, fabric, or any paper or cloth-like material.
Rule Update #2
The Game
- Replace rule 2.5.5. with the following:
2.5.5. During qualifying matches, each team will receive Qualifying Points equal to their Match Points.
- Add rule 2.5.7. as follows:
2.5.7. During the elimination rounds, all matches will be scored on a win/loss basis. In case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the following tie-breakers:
2.5.7.1. Greatest number of 3-in-a-rows.
2.5.7.2. Furthest distance from lowest point of robot to ground (carpet and scoring platform count as ground).
2.5.7.3. Shortest distance from team’s robot to the vertical post of that team’s Goal Post.
2.5.7.4. Greatest number of opponent’s balls on the field.
2.5.7.5. Shaking of a Magic 8 Ball as in 2.5.6.5.
- Add rule 3.7.2.12. as follows:
3.7.2.12. Paper, saran-wrap, aluminum foil, fabric, or any paper or cloth-like material.
The Robot
Rule Update #1
The Game
- Replace rule 2.2.3. with the following:
2.2.3. The tournament will consist of qualifying matches and elimination matches. At the end of each qualifying match, each team will receive Qualifying Points (QP’s). The top eight (8) teams will enter into the quarter-finals, the four winners of the quarter-finals will go on to the semi-finals, and the two winners of the semi-finals will continue on to the finals, where the Champion will be determined. There will also be a "loser’s bracket," to determine how the other teams place.
- Replace rule 2.3.4. with the following:
2.3.4. The Ball Racks are not secured to the field, and may be manipulated by robots.
- Replace rule 2.3.5. with the following:
2.3.5. At two adjacent corners of the Field are horizontal Goal Posts which are fixed eighteen inches (18”) above the Field surface and extends eighteen inches (18”) from vertical support posts. The Red Goal Post lies at the end of the field with the Blue Starting Strip, and the Blue Goal Post lies at the end of the field with the Red Starting Strip. The horizontal bar of each Goal Post will be placed above the field at forty-five degree (45?) angles with respect to the field borders.
- Replace rule 2.4.1. with the following:
2.4.1. At the start of each match, each team’s robot will start in their respective starting strip, as above. Sixteen (16) orange colored 40mm ping-pong balls will be placed in the red Ball Rack, and sixteen (16) blue colored 40mm ping-pong balls will be placed in the blue Ball Rack.
- Replace rule 2.5.4.3 with the following:
2.5.4.3. Any team whose robot is hanging from its own team’s colored bar will have their match points earned in 2.5.4.1 and 2.5.4.2 multiplied by two (2). A robot is defined as hanging from a bar if it is touching that bar, and not touching the carpet, scoring platform, either Ball Rack, or the playing field perimeter wall.
- Rule 2.5.6.5: Replace ‘manor’ with ‘manner.’
- Replace rule 2.8.1 with the following:
2.8.1. No flipping of the opponent’s robot. The flipping robot will be disqualified from that match if it initiates a lifting action which results in flipping; if the flipped robot initiates the action, there is no penalty. In all cases, and especially when both the flipper and the flipped are in motion, the final decision is up to the referees, whose decisions are final.
- Rules 2.8.4 and 2.8.6:
Replace ‘judges’ with ‘referees.’
- Replace rule 2.8.5 with the following:
2.8.5. Drivers/Operators may interact with their robot during a match only through the normal operation of the Operator Interface control system.
The Robot
3.5.3. Teams may use any 7.2V NiCad battery, but only one (1) battery may be used on the robot at a time.
"It is impossible to define entanglement or predict what might potentially cause entanglement so we are not going to even try. We will allow tethers, etc.; however, no electrical wires may be used as tethers (i.e., electrical wires would have to be completely protected in a rigid enclosure). Tape, helical wire wrap, etc., does not qualify as adequate protection.
"BY USING A TETHER, YOU OPEN YOUR TEAM UP TO INCREASED RISK OF SAFETY VIOLATIONS AT INSPECTION AND ENTANGLEMENT DURING PLAY, EITHER OF WHICH COULD RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.
"While the referees are well versed on the rules, individual referees may view and interpret game play differently. Entanglement to one referee may not be entanglement to another. If you use a tether, be prepared for your successes associated with its deployment and of the potential negative consequences of its use."
Last modified: Nov 02, 2004, 22:30 EST