SKYSTONE GAME SUMMARY - TEAM 9902

This is a summary of the important elements of Skystone taken out of the Game Manual Part 2. It’s important
that everyone reads through it (use the internal links to images so that you have a full understanding). Post
your ideas to Discord (#engineering-notebook-submissions)

Like Rover Ruckus last year, scoring is LIVE. This means that the score will be added up LIVE as tasks are
accomplished. However, Game Manual 2 states that due to the possibility of Skyscrapers falling when Robots
move the Foundation, the “Skyscraper,” “Placing,” and “Capstone” achievements are Scored once all Scoring
Elements (Stone, Capstone, Foundation) have come to a rest following the end of the Match. See the Scoring
Summary here.

Clarifications will be posted - always review and revisit the Q&A at the game forum at ​ftcforum.usfirst.org​.

PRE-MATCH ​PLAYING FIELD​ AND ROBOT SETUP RULES

● Team ​may​ (optionally) pre-load one ​Capstone​ on their robot or place it “adjacent to” their alliance’s
Stone Supply (and may be introduced by the ​Human Player​ at any time during the Driver Controller
period.
○ Maximum dimension is 4x4x8 inches
○ Minimum dimension is 3x3x4 inches.
○ Includes Team number (numerals only) viewable from a 12 inch distance
○ Pre-loaded marker can extend outside of 18x18x18 size <RG02>
○ Current season’s Scoring Elements (i.e. Stone) cannot be used for this
○ Can’t use electronics
○ See full rules ​here​.
● Team ​must​ mount an “Alliance Marker” (new - Alliance flags are gone - team markers must be team
supplied). Rules:
○ Must be removable/switchable from red to blue by team

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 ○ Must be on opposite sides of the robot (same sides as team number)
○ Must be visible
○ Must be ​within 3 inches​ of team number on robot
○ Solid red or blue square approx 2.5x2.5 in.
○ Must be robust enough to withstand match (e.g. printed and laminated template mounted on
metal or polycarb)
● The field comes with pre-positioned Navigation Targets, which face inside of the field. There are 8
images in fixed locations.
● Prior to field setup, alliance partners will decide which team will supply the Human Player
● Team members can enter the field ​solely​ to place the Robot (no measuring, testing, adjusting of Field
or Game Elements - see below about robot alignment though)
● Choose a Starting Position AND ​Place Robot in Starting Position According to Pre-Set Order Rules
○ Must start in 18x18x18 constraint but the Team’s Marker may extend outside of the 18x18x18
starting volume when the game starts <G4>
○ NOTE ABOUT ALIGNING THE ROBOT - “Teams may align their Robots during Pre-Match
setup if they do so with legal components that are a part of the Robot and can be reset into
18x18x18 cube volume constraint. A ​single member​ of the Drive Team may also align the Robot
by sight if they are next to the Robot and do not delay the Match start. <G5>
○ Robots may be placed:
■ in any orientation
■ touching the playing field wall adjacent to their alliance’s driver station
■ not in contact with any other robot,​ and
■ not in the Depot at all
■ TEAM NOTE: There is room for both robots on the loading zone wall. The team will want
a few op modes to coordinate timing with the other alliance partner
○ Team other than Human Player (2 Drivers, 1 Coach (coach cannot touch robot controllers))
must​ return to the space and stay “​Completely Inside​” the ​Alliance Station
○ An alliance’s single Human Player must be “​Completely Inside​” the alliance’s ​Human Player
Station​ on the opposite side.
○ NEW THIS YEAR - The Field diagram identifies the​ locations of Red/Blue 1 versus Red/Blue 2​.
1 is closest to the opposite alliance’s Human Player Station.
● Referees will place 6 Stones into each of the two ​Quarries​ with the ​Skystones​ located in ​one of 3
random configurations​.

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30-SECOND AUTONOMOUS MODE SCORING
MUST USE built in 30 second timer in program <4.5.2>
Four ways to get points (​Theoretical Total Max Score for Autonomous seems to be 72)​:
● “Repositioning” of the ​Foundation​ - ​10 points (total for Alliance, not per robot)
○ If an alliance moves its Foundation so that is is “​In​” their ​Building Site​ ​and​ not in contact with the
alliance’s own robots, it gets these 10 points.
○ NOTE: Only one robot can do this. Will need autonomous mode where we do this and one
where we wait to enter the Building Zone and stay out of the way of this activity
● “Stone Delivery” - ​Various points (Practical Alliance Max of 28 points)​ -
○ Initial​ Two ​Stones in the Quarry​ “Delivered” (​regardless of which alliance delivers)​ -​ Max 20 pts
for alliance (no per robot limit)
■ 2 points each Stone for regular Stones
■ 10 points each Stone for Skystone
■ “Delivering Stones” means:
● a robot moving an individual Stone from the Loading Zone to the Building Zone
● Stone must be “​Controlled​” by a robot
● Robot must travel from “​Completely In​” the Loading Zone to “​Completely In​” the
Building Zone
● Must also pass completely under the alliance’s ​Skybridge​.
● NOTE - 4.5.2(2) (unlike 4.5.3) is not itself clear on the use of the Neutral
Skybridge, but the Note in 4.5.2 below makes clear that you cannot go through
the Neutral Skybridge.
○ Remaining​ ​Stones in the Quarry​ “Delivered” (see rules immediately above for “Delivering”)
■ 2 points for each Stone or Skystone - ​Max of 8 pts for alliance (no per robot limit)
○ DEDUCTION for “Stone Returned”
■ Each Stone “Returned” during Autonomous deducts 2 points, except if the first Stone
“Returned” is a Skystone, which deducts 10 points
● “Navigating” - ​5 points per robot (10 points total for Alliance)​ -
○ Each robot “Parked” (defined as “motionless”) over the ​tape separating the Loading Zone from
the Building Zone and under the Alliance’s Skybridge​ at the end of Autonomous earns 5 points
○ NOTE: Space under alliance Skybridge is only 46 inches wide. Will need an autonomous mode
to park both closest to the wall and closest to the Neutral Skybridge.
● “Placing” - ​4 points per Stone/Skystone (Practical Alliance Max of 24)
○ Each Stone (regular or Skystone) “​In​” the Foundation at the end of the Autonomous Period
earns 4 points.
■ “In” means it has crossed into the upward vertical plane of the Foundation’s boundary.
So, in this case, a part of the Stone ends up over and on a part of the Foundation.
■ NOTE: No requirement for this point that it “Interlock” (see below in Driver-Controlled
“Skyscraper Bonus” section)
■ NOTE - WILL LIKELY NEED CLARIFICATION - Game Manual 2 used a capitalized term
“Placing” but did not include a definition (they did the same thing last year). For now,

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 assume “Placing” means ​not​ “Launching” (defined as “Propelling Game Elements with
enough force such that they can move independent of contact with the Robot or Human
Player”). We should assume the action has to be deliberate and that a bit of motion due
to gravity as object is placed should be OK, although dropping from a height may not be
(but questionable since no force is applied by the robot itself)

At the end of 30 seconds, robot needs to automatically stop. Early stopping of the Robot while running its
Autonomous code is not allowed, except in cases of personal or equipment safety.

DRIVER-CONTROLLED PERIOD SCORING

Driver Controlled starts after a 5 second period and a 3-2-1 countdown. You cannot touch the robot until “start.”

● “Stone Delivery” (seems to be the same rules for Delivery as during Autonomous)
○ Each Stone (regular or Skystone) “Delivered” by going under the corresponding Alliance
Skybridge is worth 1 point to the Alliance that Delivered the Stone. Stones Delivered under the
Neutral Skybridge are worth 0 points. Stones Returned deduct 1 point to the Alliance that
Returned the Stone.
○ “Returned” means moving the Stone from “​Completely In​” the Building Zone to “​Completely In​”
the Loading Zone
○ Points are given only when the robot ​and​ the Stone it Controls cross completely from the
Loading Zone to the Building Zone. The intent is to not allow robots using arms to push a Stone
through, “kickers” to propel a Stone through, or other methods that do not require the robot to
pass completely under the Alliance Skybridge.
● “Placing” Stones
○ At the end of the match, each Stone (regular or Skystone) that is “In” the Foundation and not in
contact with any Alliance robot when all Scoring Elements (Stone, Capstone, Foundation) have
come to rest earns 1 point.
○ NOTE: No requirement for this point that it “Interlock” (see below)
○ NOTE: See questions above in autonomous about “Placing.”
● “Skyscraper Bonus”
○ An Alliance earns 2 points for each “Skyscraper Level” of ​the alliance’s tallest​ Skyscraper that is
not in Contact with an Alliance Robot when all Scoring Elements have come to rest after the end
of Driver-Controlled. If multiple are the same height, only one Skyscraper Bonus will be earned.
○ “Skyscraper Level” is a layer of Stones that is used to form a Skyscraper. ​Skyscraper Levels
must be supported from beneath by either the Foundation or by being “Interlocked” with a Stone
from the level beneath them.​ This means that to form a Skyscraper, all Stones must be
Interlocked and no Alliance Robot can be in contact at the end of Driver-Controlled.
○ “Interlocked” means a stud of a Stone or Foundation fits in the recess of a Stone
○ See examples of scoring here​.

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END GAME SCORING (LAST 30 SECONDS OF THE 2-MINUTE DRIVER
CONTROLLED)
NOTE - You are still allowed to continue to score the Driver-Controlled Scoring items during End Game. You
just cannot do any of these achievements until the End Game.

In End Game, points are awarded ​at the end of the match​ for the following achievements:

● “Capping” an Alliance’s Skyscraper - ​Various points​ - ​Robot Max of 5 plus 1 for each Level
Beneath/Alliance Max of 10 plus (1 for each level Beneath x 2)
○ An Alliance earns points for placing a Capstone “​On​” their Foundation ​or​ any Skyscraper on
their Alliance’s Foundation ​and​ if no robot is in contact with the Capstone:
■ 5 points if Capstone is fully “​Supported On​” a Skyscraper or Foundation.
● NOTE: A Capstone may be placed “On” another ​legally scored​ Capstone and still
earn points.
■ 1 point for each Level that Supports a Capstone (note if placed on a Capstone, the other
Capstone does not count as a Level)
■ Multiple Capstones on the same Skyscraper will ​each​ earn points
■ Each robot may only score one Capstone
■ NOTE: 4.5.4 uses the term “fully Supported On” and not “Completely Supported.” There
will likely be some clarification needed where it also touches another element like a wall.
● “Foundation Moved” - ​15 points total for Alliance​ -
○ An Alliance earns 15 points if the Foundation has been moved “​Completely Out​” of the Building
Site by the end of the Match. It must have been “In” the Building Site ​at the start of the End
Game​ to earn these points.
○ NOTE - An Alliance may move its Foundation into the Building Site during Driver-Controlled (but
before End Game Starts) if it did not do so during Autonomous (or if it moved it out during
Driver-Controlled) so that they can get Foundation Moved End Game points.
● “Parking” in Alliance’s Building Site - ​5 points per robot/10 points total max for Alliance
○ Each Robot parked “​In​” the triangular “​Building Site​” at the end of the Match (T=0) gets 5 points.
○ There is a 1 second grace period after final end to stop robot motion (Park). Penalties possible.
○ NOTE: Scoring Elements that are Launched (unless disallowed by the Game Specific Rules)
before the End of the Period are eligible to be counted as Scored.

PENALTY SCORING
Penalty points are added to the non-offending Alliance’s Score at the end of the Match. Minor Penalties give
the non-offending Alliance 5 points per occurrence. Major Penalties give the non-offending Alliance 20 points
per occurrence.

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For a description of some key Minor Penalties, Major Penalties, and some Disqualifying Penalties, see
excerpts here​.

GENERAL ROBOT RULES AND LIMITATIONS

See General Robot Rules and Limitations here.

GENERAL GAME RULES AND LIMITATIONS - SUMMARY

Here is a summary of Skystone Rules and Limitations other than those specified in the scoring summary
above. This is a summary only, and the team should read all of the rules.

SKYSTONE GAME-SPECIFIC RULES (TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER “GAME RULES”)

● Human Player Supplied Stones and Capstones: <GS1>
○ Only one Scoring Element (Stone, Capstone, or Foundation) may be Delivered at one time
○ Human Player may not Deliver them prior to Driver-Controlled
○ Stones and Capstones may only be hand-delivered to Depot (no tools or devices)
○ Human Player may not break the vertical plane of the Perimeter Wall ​or​ hand-deliver a Stone or
Capstone when a Robot or Scoring Element is already in the Depot
○ Any Stones hand-delivered by Human Player from Stone Supply during Autonomous are not
eligible to receive points. NOTE: Can you move the Stone Supply though?
○ Stones and Capstones must be “In” the Depot and “Completely On” the Playing Field floor prior
to being Controlled by a Robot.
○ NOTE: If a Robot is a Disabled Robot, Stones and Capstones can continue to be placed.
○ From Game Manual 1 - Rules on Deciding Human Player for Alliance:
■ Human Player – For Qualification Matches, an Alliance must decide which Team will
name the Human Player. If the Alliance cannot decide quickly, the Team listed in the
Match list as "Red 1" or "Blue 1" for the Alliance has the responsibility for naming the
Human Player from the Alliance Teams. For Elimination Matches, the captain of the
Alliance has that responsibility.
● Autonomous Period Non-Interference Rules: <GS2>
○ During Autonomous, Robots may not interfere with the opposing Alliance’s Scoring attempts or
contact/disrupt the Stones or Skystones in the opposing Alliance’s ​Quarry​. Major penalty. Any
Scoring using opposing Alliance’s Game Elements will not benefit the offending Alliance.
● Control/Possession Limits of Stones/Capstones: <GS3>
○ Once a Match starts, a Robot may ​Control or Possess a maximum of one (1) Stone and/or (1)
Capstone
■ Plowing through any number of Stones/Capstones is allowed, but herding or directing
more than one to gain a strategic advantage (Scoring, defense, etc) is not allowed.
Immediate Minor Penalty for each 5 second interval it continues.
■ Stones and Capstones in the Foundation are exempt from the Control/Possession Limit

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 ○ Controlling or Possessing an opposing Alliance’s Capstone is a Major Penalty. NOTE: Will need
clarification that this applies even if the opposing Alliance’s Capstone is on their Foundation.
● Launching Game Elements: <GS4>
○ Game Elements (Stones, Foundations, Skybridges, and Capstones) may not be Launched
(defined as “Propelling Game Elements with enough force such that they can move independent
of contact with the Robot or Human Player”) by a Robot or Human Player. Minor Penalty each
Launched Game Element.
● Foundation Scoring Interference: <GS5>
○ Robots may not be “In” their opposing Alliance’s Foundation at any time.
○ Robots may not interfere with an opposing Alliance Robot that is In their Foundation.
○ Major Penalty for first violation with additional Minor each 5 seconds it persists.
○ Intent of rule is not for Inadvertent and Inconsequential intrusion.
○ NOTE: The Foundation does NOT have to be in the ​Building Site​ to get this protection but see
GS8, which does allow for Controlling it (i.e. pushing it without breaking the vertical plane and
going “In”) if the Foundation is NOT in the Opposing Alliance’s Building Site and if it is NOT
during the End Game.
● Blocking Access to Depot: <GS6>
○ Robots ​may not be In or Block access to​ the opposing Alliance’s Depot
○ “Block” or “Blocking” means preventing an opposing Alliance Robot from accessing an Area or
Game Element for an extended period by obstructing ALL paths of travel to the object or Area.
Active defense played by a Robot shadowing an opposing Alliance Robot that eliminates all
paths of travel between the opposing Alliance Robot and an Area or Alliance-specific Game
Element or all remaining Alliance-neutral Game Elements is considered Blocking, even though
at any frozen point in time there is an open path​.
○ Inconsequential violations are handled per rule <G30> that says Robot actions that violate a
rule may be ruled at the referee’s discretion to be Inconsequential and Inadvertent and will not
be Penalized.
○ If Blocking Depot is declared, offending Robot must move at least 3 feet away from Blocked
Depot. Minor Penalty if not done within 5 seconds.
○ Disabled Robot in opposing Alliance’s Depot earns a Yellow Card.
● Skybridge Specific Penalties: <GS7>
○ Robots may not grab, grasp, or hang on Skybridge ​pipes​ - Major Penalty
○ Robots may not move from one Zone to another via the opposing Alliance’s Skybridge section -
Major Penalty
○ Robots may not prevent Opposing Alliance’s Robot from moving between one Zone to another
via Neutral Skybridge - this is a Blocking violation
● Controlling Opposing Alliance’s Foundation: <GS8>
○ Robots may not Control the opposing Alliance’s Foundation when it is In the opposing
Alliance’s Building Site ​or​ at any time during End Game. Major Penalty with additional
Minor Penalty for every five seconds rule violation persists.
● Descoring Opposing Alliance’s Stones/Capstones: <GS9>
○ Robots may not remove or reposition Stones/Capstones from opposing Alliance’s Foundation
when Foundation is In the opposing Alliance’s Building Site or at any time during the End Game.

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 Double Minor Penalty for each Stone that is de-scored. If a Capstone is de-scored, it is a Major
Penalty as well.
○ NOTE: Not sure how you’d do this other than by pushing or bumping their Foundation since you
cannot be “In” their Foundation per <GS5>.
● Foundation Movement Out of Building Zone: <GS10>
○ Foundations must remain ​Completely In​ the ​Building Zone​. NOTE that in the case of the tape
under the Skybridge ​or​ the Floor Plate under the Neutral Skybridge, that is not In either Zone,
so “Completely In” means not extending out over the vertical plane of the tape ​or​ the Floor Plate
at all.
● Skybridge Safety: <GS11>
○ It is a Minor Penalty to step or jump over any section of the Skybridge at any time. Next instance
is a Major Penalty.
● Drive Team Touching Robots or Driver Stations after Quarry Randomization: <GS12>
○ This is a Minor Penalty, ​and​ the affected Robot is not eligible to earn the Stone Delivery Score
in the Autonomous Period (i.e. this affects only the offending Team - the Alliance partner is
eligible to earn the Stone Delivery Score)

SKYSTONE GENERAL GAME RULES

● Robot can’t contact anything “Outside” of the Field Perimeter
● Electronic communication of any kind by Drive Team members after an Alliance has been called from
the Playing Field is not allowed. Warning, then Minor Penalty.
○ NOTE: Leave personal devices at the queue table with someone else on the team.
● May only enter Playing Field to place/retrieve robot. ​May not measure, test, or adjust Field or Game
Elements
● Robots Grasping Game Elements​: ​Robots may not grab, grasp and/or attach to any Game Element,
Robot, or structure other than Scoring Elements (Stones, Foundations, and Capstones) unless
specifically allowed by ​4.6.3 (Game-Specific Rules)​. First instance is warning and after that it is major
penalty. <GS16>
● See ​penalty rules​ on Pinning, Trapping and Blocking.
○ “Block” or “Blocking”: Preventing an opposing Alliance Robot from accessing an Area or Game
Element for an extended period by obstructing ALL paths of travel to the object or Area. ​Active
defense played by a Robot shadowing an opposing Alliance Robot that eliminates all paths of
travel between the opposing Alliance Robot and an Area or Alliance-specific Game Element or
all remaining Alliance-neutral Game Elements is considered Blocking, even though at any
frozen point in time there is an open path​.
○ “Trap” or “Trapping”: Preventing an opposing Alliance Robot from escaping a constrained Area
of the Playing Field or from a Game Element for an extended period of time by obstructing all
paths of travel from the object or Area.
○ “Pin” or “Pinning”: Preventing the movement in all directions of an opposing Alliance Robot while
it is in contact with the Playing Field Wall, one or more Game Elements, or another Robot.
● Robots in Contact with Scoring Elements:​ Scoring Elements in contact with or Controlled by a Robot
in a Scoring Area have zero Score value. But see ​4.6.3 (Game-Specific Rules)​ which take precedence.

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● Robot or Scoring Elements in Two or More Scoring Areas:​ Only earn points for highest value
achievement (if equal, only get score for one). Exceptions may exist in Gameplay section (4.5) or
game-specific rules. NOTE: Do a closer read of these sections to see what exceptions there are.

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DIAGRAMS

FIGURE 1 - MAIN FIELD DIAGRAM

SEE OVERHEAD VIEW OF FIELD ON ​NEXT PAGE

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FIGURE 2 - VIEW FROM ABOVE FIELD

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FIGURE 3 - DIAGRAMS SHOWING DEPOT
There is a red alliance Depot on the blue side and a blue alliance Depot on the red side. Each Depot is directly
in front of the corresponding alliance’s Human Player.

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FIGURE 4 - QUARRY

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FIGURE 5 - SKYSTONE
A Skystone is just a Stone with the image below on it. There are 3 Skystones randomly placed during setup.

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FIGURE 6 - SKYSTONE RANDOM LOCATIONS
Images face out to robots

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FIGURE 7 - FOUNDATION AND BUILDING SITE
(NOTE - Building Site is the taped off area in the corner)

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FIGURE 8 - SKYBRIDGE

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FIGURE 9 - CAPSTONE
The capstone is created by the team and supplied by the team and must not exceed the size of one Stone.
See full requirements here.

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FIGURE 10 - NAVIGATION WALL TARGET LOCATION AND IMAGES

MORE NAVIGATION WALL TARGET IMAGE DETAILS

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FIGURE 11 - NAVIGATION WALL TARGET IMAGES CONTINUED

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FIGURE 12 - SKYBRIDGE NAVIGATION TARGETS
NOTE: “Audience” is facing forward to the Loading Zone side. “Rear” is facing back to the Building Zone side.

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FIGURE 13 - VARIOUS EXAMPLES OF SKYSCRAPER SCORING
Example E-1

Example E-2

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Example E-3

Example E-4

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Example E-5

Example E-6

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RULES EXCERPT 1 - ORDER OF PRE-MATCH SETUP

While not always really followed at the regional level….

QUALIFICATION MATCHES (BASIC MATCH YOU PLAY DURING A COMPETITION):

During the Qualification Matches, the blue Alliance Robots are set up on the Playing Field first, ​unless the red
Alliance waives their right to set up on the Playing Field second​ (see below about waiver)

ELIMINATION MATCHES (LIKELY ONLY DURING LAST SCRIMMAGE, AND THEN ALSO DURING ANY
COMPETITION LIKE REGIONALS, STATE, ETC.)
During the Elimination Matches, the 3rd and 4th seeded Alliance Robots are set up on the Playing Field first,
unless the higher seeded Alliance waives their right to set up on the Playing Field second​ (see below about
waiver). Alliance color doesn’t change the seeding of a Team during the Elimination Matches. If the 4th seed
defeats the 1st seed in the Semi-Finals, they will still have to place their Robot on the field first in the Finals
because their seeding will be lower than the 2nd or 3rd seed.

During Elimination Matches, 3 Team Alliances may only place Robots that are intended to compete in that
Match. Once two Robots are placed for the two Teams competing in a Match, the Alliance cannot swap in the
3rd Alliance’s Robot for a Robot already placed. The intent of this rule is not to Penalize an Alliance for
Inadvertent, safe Robot extension Outside the Playing Field Perimeter. Intentional Robot extension Outside the
Playing Field is not permitted, except as allowed by game-specific rules listed in Section 1.6.3

WAIVER OF PLACEMENT RIGHTS

Teams may implicitly waive their right to place their Robots on the Playing Field last by placing their Robots on
the Playing Field before or with the opposing Alliance. There is no need to tell the referees; Teams waive their
right by the act of placing their Robots on the Playing Field.

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VIEW GAME MANUAL 1 RULES RE PRE-MATCH ROBOT SETUP

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RULES EXCERPT 1 CONTINUED - ORDER OF PRE-MATCH SETUP

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RULES EXCERPT 2 - REQUIREMENTS FOR CAPSTONE (“TEAM SCORING ELEMENT”) FROM
GAME MANUAL 1)

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RULES EXCERPT 3 - DEFINITIONS OF “CONTROL” and “POSSESS” and “LAUNCH”
From Game Manual 2 Section 4.4 (Definitions)

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RULES EXCERPT 4 - DEFINITIONS OF IN (INSIDE), OUT (OUTSIDE), OFF, ON, SUPPORTED,
AND COMPLETELY IN, COMPLETELY ON, COMPLETELY SUPPORTED
From Game Manual 2 4.4 (Definitions)

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RULES EXCERPT 5 - IMPORTANT GAME PLAY LIMITATIONS FROM GAME MANUAL 2
IMPORTANT - THERE ARE OTHERS - READ ALL OF GAME MANUALS 1 AND 2

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RETURN TO GAME SUMMARY

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RULES EXCERPT 6 - GENERAL ROBOT RULES AND LIMITATIONS
Robot Features (from Game Manual 1)
● Starting dimension 18x18x18 (pre-loaded Capstone can extend beyond)
● Robots must not weigh more than 42 pounds including battery (.5 pound overage for variance)
○ Includes Alliance Markers
○ Does ​not​ include Capstone
○ If you swap out items during Match play, all must be weighed together.
● Team Marker and Team Number Requirements
● Cannot Launch Robot parts (even if tethered still)
● Rule of Commercial Off the Shelf Parts <RM02>:​ Teams may use Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)
mechanical parts that have a single degree of freedom. A single degree of freedom is a system whose
motion is defined by a single, independent, co-ordinate (or function). It is the intent of FIRST to
encourage Teams to design their own mechanisms rather than buying pre-designed and
pre-manufactured solutions to achieve the game challenge. Purchased mechanism kits (for example,
grippers) that violate the single degree of freedom rule, either assembled or requiring assembly, are not
allowed. COTS drive chassis (for example, AndyMark TileRunner, REV Robotics Build Kit) are allowed
provided none of the individual parts violate any other rules.
○ Examples of allowed single degree of freedom parts: Linear Slide, Single Speed (non-shifting)
gearboxes, Pulley, Lazy Susan, Lead screws
○ Examples of illegal multiple degrees of freedom parts: Gripper assemblies or kits, Ratcheting
wrenches
○ NOTE: We will need clarification on Linear Actuator kit, which was exempted last year but
may not be this year.
● Must use an allowed Battery (all of our usual ones are allowed), which must be securely strapped in
● Must have Main Power Switch (see warnings you must post for this and for servos that activate on
initialization and add them to the robot)
● Allowed electronic devices may only be powered by power ports on the Core Power Distribution Module
or the REV Expansion Hub except as follows:
○ The Core Power Distribution Module or REV Expansion Hub is powered by the Robot main
battery.
○ REV SPARK Mini Motor Controllers are powered by the Robot main battery.
○ Allowed sensors connected to the Core Device Interface Module and/or the REV Expansion
Hub.
○ Light sources per <RE12>.
○ Video cameras per <RE13>.
● The Robot Controller Android device must be powered by its own internal battery or by the built-in
charging feature of the REV Expansion Hub; external power is not allowed.
● See Allowed Phones in <RE06>. ​Starting in the 2020-2021 season, the ZTE Speed, Google Nexus
5, and Samsung S5 will no longer be allowed for use at any FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament.

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 ● Driver Station rules

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RETURN TO GAME SUMMARY

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RULES EXCERPT 7 - MINOR, MAJOR AND DISQUALIFYING PENALTIES
DISQUALIFYING PENALTIES
1. Team, Team Member or Attendee Setting up own Wi-Fi 802.11 wireless communication (E.G.
HOTSPOTS AND DS PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKS)

NOTE: THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEAL. THEY MEAN BUSINESS. MAKE SURE ALL PARENTS KNOW ABOUT
THESE RULES

2. Disallowed Wi-Fi Connections Between Robot Controller/Driver Station Android Devices and Other
Device

The RC and DS can only connect between themselves ​except in the ​pit only​ where it can connect to a
computing device for programming purposes only.

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NOTE also about Wi-fi Channel Request and Yellow Card:

3. Throwing Matches Disallowed

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MINOR AND MAJOR PENALTIES

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RETURN TO GAME SUMMARY

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RULES EXCERPT 8 - SCORING SUMMARY

RETURN TO GAME SUMMARY

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