In a “Ring Rush” a robot (let’s say a blue robot for clarity) rapidly goes toward the eight rings on the autonomous line -- gameplay elements intended to be utilized by either Alliance during the Autonomous Period. The robot pushes the top two red rings off the two lower blue rings so they can intake the two blue rings. In doing so, the blue robot pushes the four rings on the top of the stack (two blue and two red) into or further into the opposing alliance side. These rings can travel at least one ring diameter into the red side of the field. See photo sequence for clarification.
In Q&A 2066 the committee said (with emphasis added):
Pushing a Ring (or Mobile Goal) that starts on your side (or on) the Autonomous Line to the other side could result in a <G17> Violation if that Ring or Mobile Goal interferes with the opponent's autonomous routine.
In Q&A 2421 the committee said:
Knocking over a stack of Rings that begins on the Autonomous Line is still legal even if it results in an opponent picking up the "wrong" color of Ring during the Autonomous Period. It's part of the risk described in rule <SG9> (assuming you meant <SG8> here). If you move an object all the way from your side to theirs and it clearly messes up their autonomous routine, it should probably be an <SG7> penalty and you should likely be ineligible to receive all or part of the Autonomous Bonus and/or an AWP.
Again, for the sake of clarity, assume that the four rings end up on the other side of the autonomous line a significant distance from where they started (as in the pictures). Question 1: What constitutes “messing up” or “interfering with” an opponent’s autonomous routine to the level of an <SG7>> violation? Obviously taking rings from them is okay, but is putting several rings from the autonomous line into their path interfering (assuming the opposing alliance robot goes to that part of the field)?
<SG8> c. says
Intentional, strategic, repeated, or egregious offenses may still be deemed a Violation of <G12> , <G13> , <G14> , <SG7> , <G1> and/or <S1> at the Head Referee’s discretion.
Question 2: Since one of the incidental benefits of pushing those four rings into the opposing alliances side is that it does interfere to some degree with their autonomous routine, does that make it inherently intentional and/or strategic?
As a number of teams are using a mechanism that does this, a clarification of the legality of this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
