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Official Q&A: VRC 2018-2019: Turning Point

Usage Guidelines All Questions

173: Clarification on SG8 :Caps de-scored which leave the field


Andrew Dahlen (Event Partner)
9-Dec-2018

Please clarify the following situation as related to caps leaving the field in an attempt to de-score. Is this the correct procedure given the rules "as written"

SG8 says - Match Affecting offenses will result in a Disqualification.

  1. Any time a cap is knocked off a post by an opposing alliance and falls out of the field, the referees need to make a mental note and verbally warn the offending team.
  2. At the end of the match, the referees need to determine if the de-scored cap(s) affects the outcome of the match. Referees should score the match with the cap (or caps) on the post first. Then referees need to score the match with the caps de-scored. If the de-scored caps affects which alliance wins, the offending de-scoring team will be disqualified.
  3. For clarification, is the offending team disqualified? Or is it the alliance disqualified?

SG8 also says: Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the Head Referee's discretion.

  1. Please define multiple. The dictionary says several which is also vague at best. Is multiple two or more? Is multiple three or more? Is multiple 15 times? Please replace the word multiple with a number that is not open to interpretation.
Answered by Game Design Committee
  1. Any time a cap is knocked off a post by an opposing alliance and falls out of the field, the referees need to make a mental note and verbally warn the offending team.

  2. At the end of the match, the referees need to determine if the de-scored cap(s) affects the outcome of the match. Referees should score the match with the cap (or caps) on the post first. Then referees need to score the match with the caps de-scored. If the de-scored caps affects which alliance wins, the offending de-scoring team will be disqualified.

These are both correct interpretations.

  1. For clarification, is the offending team disqualified? Or is it the alliance disqualified?

Please see the definition of Disqualification, in the Tournament section of the manual, for reference:

Disqualification – A penalty applied to a Team for a rules violation. When a Team is Disqualified in a Qualifying Match, they receive zero (0) WP, AP, and SP, and the opposing Alliance receives two (2) WPs. When a Team is Disqualified in an Elimination Match, the entire Alliance is Disqualified and they receive a loss for the Match.

So, the answer to your question depends if the offense occurs in a Qualification Match or an Elimination Match.

SG8 also says: Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the Head Referee's discretion. Please define multiple. The dictionary says several which is also vague at best. Is multiple two or more? Is multiple three or more? Is multiple 15 times? Please replace the word multiple with a number that is not open to interpretation.

The word "multiple" is used throughout the manual intentionally, to provide referees with the flexibility to interpret and apply a ruling based on the context of their event. Two warnings for egregious actions, or warnings that are met with uncivil reactions, should bear more weight than two warnings for accidental actions, or warnings that are met with respectful discourse.