<G15> "A Trap is officially over once the Trapping Robot has moved away and the Robots are separated by at least two (2) feet (approximately one (1) foam tile). Should the "two (2) feet" be interpreted as a 3-dimensional volume extending upwards? We've had a few matches where a robot base does seperate by at least two (2) feet, but the the arms, tray anglers, etc. do not.
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Official Q&A: VRC 2019-2020: Tower Takeover
568: <G15> Clarification on when trapping is official over.
Answered by Game Design Committee
Thank you for quoting the relevant rule in your question.
The intent of the 2-foot reference in G15 is to ensure that Robots being Trapped are provided with an ample avenue for escape. If a Trapping Robot has a mechanism that is causing an opponent Robot to be restricted to a small space without an avenue for escape, then the Trapping count should continue.
However, it would not be feasible to expect a Head Referee to visualize four moving 3D volumes and measure their exact distances apart at any given instant. There are situations which may technically result in less than two feet separating two Robot mechanisms, but would not be restricting one Robot to a confined area (such as a tall "tray" hanging over a Clawbot-sized Robot).
Therefore, we cannot provide an overarching blanket statement that would encompass all hypothetical Robot interactions, while being realistic for a Head Referee to judge during a Match. We are going to use G3 to assist in Head Referee judgments involving this scenario:
<G3> Use common sense. When reading and applying the various rules in this document, please remember that common sense always applies in the VEX Robotics Competition.