G16: Robots may not intentionally grasp, grapple or attach to any Field Elements. Strategies with mechanisms that react against multiple sides of a Field Element in an effort to latch or clamp onto said Field Element are prohibited. The intent of this rule is to prevent Teams from both unintentionally damaging the field and/or from anchoring themselves to the field.
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.
Field Element– The foam field tiles, field perimeter, white tape, Goal, and all supporting structures or accessories (such as driver station posts, field monitors, etc)
A team creates a square structure that surrounds the center goal in an effort to prevent the goal from being descored. If the structure were to remain stationary and not come in contact with the center goal, would the robot not be considered grasping, grappling, or attaching to the goal since it is not reacting against any sides? See Figure 1 for a visual.
Say the same square structure is moved and is now in contact with the center goal at two different points. Would the robot now be considered grasping, grappling, or attaching to the goal since it is reacting against multiple sides? See Figure 2 for a visual.
The square structure is now replaced with a circular structure. Is it moved against the center goal but is only in contact at one point. Would the robot not be considered grasping, grappling, or attaching to the goal since it is only reacting against one side instead of multiple sides? See Figure 3 for a visual.
