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

Usage Guidelines All Questions

230: Blocking Opponent Shots, Possession limit.


2381C
3-Feb-2019

Hi There, per request of the GDC, I am not splitting up my questions.

This is the first question, and concerns "Possession", with the definition benig "a robot has possession of a game object if it is carrying, holding, or encompassing it". rule <SG4> outlines specific limits, where <robots may posess a maximum of one (1) cap and two (2) balls at a time>. The game manual also states that <Minor violations of this rule that do not affect the Match will result in a warning. Match Affecting offenses will result in a Disqualification. Teams that receive multiple warnings may also receive a Disqualification at the Head Referee's discretion.>. If a team were to block opponent shots while at the possession limit, would they be breaking the rule.

In this instance, blocking a shot may involve interacting with 1 opponent shot, or 2 opponent shots using a legal vex material. If it is impossible to give a blanket ruling, if the balls were to glance off of a piece of aluminum or otherwise rigid material, would the robot be breaking the possession limit?

Answered by Game Design Committee

In this instance, blocking a shot may involve interacting with 1 opponent shot, or 2 opponent shots using a legal vex material. If it is impossible to give a blanket ruling, if the balls were to glance off of a piece of aluminum or otherwise rigid material, would the robot be breaking the possession limit?

It is always difficult to provide a blanket ruling on a snapshot description of a hypothetical Robot and interaction. However, a "blocked shot" would typically not be considered Possession, provided the following assumptions are met:

  • A "shot" is a Ball which has been launched through the air in the direction of the Flags.
  • The "blocking Robot" is not violating any other rules, such as <SG2>.
  • The "blocking Robot" does not meet the definition of Possession in order to block the shot:

A Robot has Possession of a Game Object if it is carrying, holding, or encompassing it.

The relevant Referee Training video provides the following "rule of thumb": if the Game Object turns with the Robot as the Robot turns, then it is probably being Possessed. For example, a flat vertical wall would not be considered Possession; a "catcher" would be considered Possession.