We have encountered a variance in rulings when an SG6 violation is committed in the same match by opposing alliances. The discrepancy centers around the definition of "Match Affecting."
SG6 notes are Match Affecting states:
For the purposes of Match Affecting calculations that don’t fall within the previous note (e.g., in a tied Match), each Ring Scored during a Possession violation should be considered worth a value of 2 points. These values are not added or removed from the actual score. As with all Match Affecting calculations, only the winner’s points should be considered. If these points were enough to change the offending Alliance’s score from a loss to either a win or a tie, it is Match Affecting. If they would have won the Match even without these points, it’s not Match Affecting. For example, a Robot is in Possession of three Rings and Scores one; this should be calculated as 2 points when considering whether it was Match Affecting (once the Robot is down to two Rings, they’re no longer in Violation of rule <SG6>).
Based on the current interpretation of the rule, the highest scoring team will receive a major, and the lower scoring team receives a minor violation.
Based on the following scenarios, how should a referee rule?
Scenario 1: Red Robot 1 plows a mobile goal filled with blue rings out of the positive corner while in possession of a red filled mobile goal, scoring the red mobile goal. This is clearly violating SG6. Blue Alliance Robot 1, moves back to the corner and also plows the blue filled mobile goal back into a scored position while in possession of a mobile goal. Blue Robot 1 has now clearly violated SG6. Red Robot 1, knowing that both alliances have clearly violated SG6, places their own red filled mobile goal in the negative corner to ensure the red alliance score the least in the match. No other violations occur in the match. The referee rules a Major for the winning blue alliance, and a minor for the losing red alliance. Is this correct?
Scenario 2: Red Robot 1 plows a mobile goal filled with blue rings deeper into the positive corner while in possession of a red filled mobile goal. No other violations occur. Red alliance has the highest score of the match, with the split being greater than the positive corner bonus (>16 points). The referee rules a Major violation on the red alliance for violating SG6. Is this correct?
Scenario 3: Red Robot 1 plows a mobile goal filled with red rings deeper into the positive corner while in possession of a red filled mobile goal. This is clearly violating SG6. No other violations occur. Red alliance has the highest score of the match, with the split being greater than the positive corner bonus (>16 points). The referee rules a Major violation on the red alliance for violating SG6. Is this correct?
Note on Scenarios 2 and 3 - This situation has occurred with score splits of 30+, but the match affecting note in the manual only addresses rings. Referees ruled each a Major Violation based on their best interpretation of the rule.