Competition Rules

The 2011 Rochester Ruckus will follow the 2011 FIRST Logo Motion Rules.

While we feel that FIRST has done a fantastic job with creating a rule book to satisfy every FIRST team, there are a few rule changes that we feel could enhance the game play at this off-season event.  The rule modifications which will be used at Ruckus are below.

There will be a drivers meeting Saturday morning where any questions can be asked to the head referee. Please refer to the 2011 FIRST Logo Motion manual for any rule clarifications first. Thank you!

 

Rule Modifications

Section 1: Introduction

The definition of TRIGGERED is changed to be:

• TRIGGERED - the act of pushing the bottom disk of the TARGET. When a TARGET is TRIGGERED, the MINIBOT RACE on that TOWER is complete.

 

Section 3, The Game

PUMPKIN TUBES

• A PUMPKIN TUBE looks like a white circle game piece, but is painted with either a BLUE or RED pumpkin face, similar to circle piece in the RUCKUS logo, on both sides.  The color of the painted face corresponds to the ALLIANCE color to which that pumpkin tube belongs. The picture at right shows an example of the red alliance pumpkin tube.
• Each ALLIANCE receives 1 PUMPKIN TUBE prior to the start of the MATCH;  the ALLIANCE must keep this tube in one of their two FEEDER STATIONs from the start of the MATCH until 15 seconds remains in the MATCH, at which point it may be entered into play by the FEEDER according to the same rules as any other LOGO PIECES.
• If an ALLIANCE's PUMPKIN TUBE is HANGING on their SCORING GRID at the conclusion of the MATCH, the PUMPKIN TUBE will generally be scored similar to an UBERTUBE. Specific details are below:
  • If a PUMPKIN TUBE is HANGING on a PEG by itself, over/in front of a LOGO PIECE, or behind a LOGO PIECE:
    • The PUMPKIN TUBE contributes to the AUTONOMOUS SCORE the same way an UBERTUBE does (<G64>).
    • The PUMPKIN TUBE contributes to the PEG SCORE the same way an UBERTUBE does, except that it can be over a LOGO PIECE (<G65>).
  • Otherwise, a PUMPKIN TUBE hung over/in front of an UBERTUBE receives 0 points and does not contribute at all to the MATCH SCORE.

<G02> is modified as follows:

• The AUTONOMOUS PERIOD ends when the ARENA timer displays zero seconds. The MATCH ends if all TOWERS are TRIGGERED or when the ARENA timer displays zero seconds, whichever comes first.

<G33> is modified as follows:

• Unintentional, momentary incursions into the opponent's LANES during the TELEOPERATED PERIOD will not be penalized.  This is subject to the judgement of the referees and is intended to avoid the need to penalize truly accidental and inconsequential incursions.  Examples of things which will continue to draw a penalty include, but are not limited to:
  
  • The lane entry is used as a "short-cut" or evasive path.
  • A game piece in the opponent's LANE is acquired.
  • The LANE is used as a "short-cut" or evasive path around an opposing robot.

 

Section 4, The Robot

<R11> is modified as follows:

• Robot Weight Limit: A 5 lb grace overweight allowance beyond the weight limit imposed by this rule. Bumpers are not allowed any extra weight beyond those specified in the 2011 FRC Game Manual.

 

Section 5, The Tournament

Section 5.4.1, Alliance Selection Process, is modified as follows:

• The 4 ALLIANCES who seeded the highest (ALLIANCES 1 - 4) may not pick from the top 4 ALLIANCES.
• Round 2 of the selection process is performed in the same order as Round 1;  specifically, Round 2 begins with the first seeded ALLIANCE and continues through to the eighth.
• The total number of ALLIANCES may be less than 8, depending on the total number of competing teams and the condition of their robot going into the final rounds.  If an odd number of alliances will be formed, one or more alliances may receive a "bye" in the quarter finals. The number of alliances, as well as any first-round "bye" process, will be determined the day of the event by the Ruckus planning committee.
• All other Alliance Selection rules remain as-is.