Hello,
SG3
Platforms are “safe” during the endgame. During the last thirty (30) seconds, Robots may not contact the opposing Alliance’s Platform.
a. For the purposes of this rule, contact is considered “transitive” through other Robots and Scoring Objects. For example, contacting an opposing Robot who is contacting their own Platform would be considered a violation of this rule.
b. For the purposes of this rule, <G13> supersedes rule <G14>. Any Robot which is contacting its own Platform during the last thirty (30) seconds, provided that no other rules are being violated, will automatically receive the “benefit of the doubt”. Therefore, any contact with this Robot will be considered a violation, regardless of intent.
c. Per <SG10>, using a Scoring Object to contact the opposing Alliance’s Platform during the last thirty (30) seconds would be considered a violation of this rule. Placing a Scoring Object underneath the opposing Alliance’s Platform, such that it inhibits the opposing Alliance’s ability to utilize the Platform during the last thirty (30) seconds, would also be considered a violation of this rule.
SG10
Use Scoring Objects to play the game. Scoring Objects may not be used to accomplish actions that would be otherwise illegal if they were attempted by Robot mechanisms (e.g., Interfering with an opponent’s Autonomous routine per <SG4>.)
The intent of this rule is to prohibit teams from using game objects as “gloves” to loophole any rule that states “a Robot may not [do some action]”. This rule is not intended to be taken in its most extreme literal interpretation, where any interaction between a Scoring Object and a Robot needs to be scrutinized with the same intensity as if it were a Robot.
Field Element Definition
The foam field tiles, field perimeter, white tape, Platforms, and all supporting structures or accessories (such as driver station posts, field monitors, etc).
Scoring Object Definition
A Ring or Mobile Goal.
Q&A 813 https://www.robotevents.com/VRC/2021-2022/QA/813 “bolded portion” is SG3 C
The intent of this rule is to prohibit Teams from preventing their opponents' Platforms to become Balanced during the last thirty (30) seconds of the Match. The intent of the bolded portion is to prohibit Teams from using Scoring Objects to do so.
Q&A 816 https://www.robotevents.com/VRC/2021-2022/QA/816
Q. I assume that if a team was to accidentally cause a Scoring Object to end up underneath the opposition Platform, if they were able to remove this before the last 30 seconds there would be no risk of an SG3 violation.
A. This would generally be a correct interpretation, yes.
it would not be feasible for a Head Referee to track which Alliance was last in contact with all Rings and Mobile Goals around the field.
Q&A 842 https://www.robotevents.com/VRC/2021-2022/QA/842
If faced with this situation, we would recommend that Head Referees ask questions such as the following to guide their decision: How did the Mobile Goal get under the Platform? Has the Team in question received prior warnings or violations? Why did the red alliance not attempt to Balance the Platform? Does G13 and/or G14 apply (for either Alliance)?
It has been established that placing game objects underneath the opponents platform is illegal if a referee verifies that it happened, it would be a violation of SG3 C.
Is placing a Scoring Object on the opponents Platform a violation of SG3 C?
Thank you for your time!