Game Manual Part 2

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2018-2019

FIRST

® Tech Challenge

Game Manual Part 2

2 | FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2

Revision 1.1: 9/8/2018

Sponsor Thank You

Thank you to our generous sponsors for your continued support of the FIRST® Tech Challenge!

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Volunteer Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to volunteer for a FIRST® Tech Challenge event. FIRST® and FIRST® Tech

Challenge rely heavily on volunteers to ensure events run smoothly and are a fun experience for teams and

their families, which could not happen without people like you. With over 5,500 teams competing yearly, your

dedication and commitment are essential to the success of each event and the FIRST Tech Challenge

program. Thank you for your time and effort in supporting the mission of FIRST!

Revision History

Revision

Date

Description

8/21/2018

Limited Affiliate Partner Release

1.1

9/8/2018

• Kickoff Release

• Section 1.5.1 Pre-Match – Updated text to match number of game elements in

parentheses.

Contents

Contents ............................................................................................................................................................ 3

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

What is FIRST® Tech Challenge? .................................................................................................................. 5

FIRST Core Values ........................................................................................................................................ 5

Gracious Professionalism® ................................................................................................................................ 5

Gracious Professionalism for Volunteers........................................................................................................ 5

Youth Protection Program ................................................................................................................................. 5

Youth Protection Expectations and Guidelines ............................................................................................... 5

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION ............................................................................................................ 6

1.0 The Game ................................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6

1.2 Game Description .................................................................................................................................... 6

1.3 Playing Field Illustration ........................................................................................................................... 7

1.4 Game De

finitions

...................................................................................................................................... 8

1.5 Game Play ............................................................................................................................................. 13

1.5.1 Pre-Match ........................................................................................................................................ 13

1.5.2 Autonomous Period .......................................................................................................................... 14

1.5.3 Driver-Controlled Period .................................................................................................................. 14

1.5.4 End Game ....................................................................................................................................... 15

1.5.5 Post Match ...................................................................................................................................... 15

1.5.6 Penalty Scoring ............................................................................................................................... 15

1.5.7 Flowchart of Match Play .................................................................................................................. 16

1.6 Rules of Game Play ............................................................................................................................... 16

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1.6.1 Safety Rules .................................................................................................................................... 16 
1.6.2 General Game Rules ....................................................................................................................... 17 
1.6.3 Game-Specific Rules ....................................................................................................................... 22 
1.7 Scoring Summary .................................................................................................................................... 24 
1.8 Rule Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 24 
Appendix A – Resources ................................................................................................................................. 28 
Game Forum Q&A ....................................................................................................................................... 28 
FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manuals ........................................................................................................ 28 
FIRST Headquarters Pre-Event Support ...................................................................................................... 28 
FIRST Websites ........................................................................................................................................... 28 
FIRST Tech Challenge Social Media ........................................................................................................... 28 
Feedback ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 
Appendix B - Field Details ............................................................................................................................... 29 
Sample Field ................................................................................................................................................ 29 
Lander ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 
Lander Support Bracket ............................................................................................................................... 30 
Navigation Target ......................................................................................................................................... 31 
Crater ........................................................................................................................................................... 32 
Appendix C – Game Elements ......................................................................................................................... 33 
Minerals ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 
Team Markers .............................................................................................................................................. 33 
Appendix D – Sample Field ............................................................................................................................. 34 
Appendix E – Cargo Hold Scoring ................................................................................................................... 35 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Introduction

What is FIRST® Tech Challenge?

FIRST® Tech Challenge is a student-centered program that focuses on giving students a unique and

stimulating experience. Each year, teams engage in a new game where they design, build, test, and program

autonomous and driver operated robots that must perform a series of tasks. To learn more about FIRST® Tech

Challenge and other FIRST® Programs, visit www.firstinspires.org.

FIRST Core Values

We express the FIRST® philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through our Core

Values:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.

• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.

• Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.

• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.

• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.

• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Gracious Professionalism®

FIRST® uses this term to describe our programs’ intent and Gracious Professionalism® is not clearly defined

for a reason. It has different meanings to everyone. Some possible meanings of Gracious Professionalism

include:

• Gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win.

• Gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions.

• Gracious Professionals make valued contributions in a way that is pleasing to others and to

themselves.

In the end, Gracious Professionalism® is part of everyday life. When professionals use their knowledge

graciously and individuals act with integrity and sensitivity, everyone wins, and society benefits.

Watch Dr. Woodie Flowers explain Gracious Professionalism in this short video.

Gracious Professionalism for Volunteers

It is a good idea to spend time going over this concept with volunteers. Provide volunteers with real-life

examples of Gracious Professionalism in practice before, during, and after the event and recognize great

Gracious Professionalism when you see it in action!

Youth Protection Program

The FIRST YPP sets minimum standards recommended for all FIRST activities. Adults working in FIRST

programs must be knowledgeable of the standards set by the FIRST YPP, as well as those set by the school

or organization hosting their team.

Youth Protection Expectations and Guidelines

Coaches and mentors should read and follow the FIRST Youth Protection Program guide. Anything labeled as

required is mandatory in the United States and Canada, and cannot be waived without approval from the

FIRST Youth Protection Department. FIRST recommends that the standards set forth in the FIRST Youth

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Protection Program guide be applied outside of the United States and Canada to the extent possible. At a

minimum, local regulations regarding youth protection must be complied with.

Most up to date forms are available here: http://firstinspires.org/resource-library/youth-protection-policy

The US Screening process, the Canadian Screen process, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), and additional

information are on the FIRST Youth Protection Program Website: http://firstinspires.org/resource-library/youth-

protection-policy

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®) does not discriminate based on race,

color, national origin, sex, disability, age, status as a veteran who served in the military, religion, gender,

gender identity, or gender expression in its programs and activities.

Keep updated at: http://www.firstinspires.org/about/legal-notices

1.0 The Game

1.1 Introduction

This document describes ROVER RUCKUS℠ presented by Qualcomm® Incorporated, the FIRST® Tech

Challenge game for the 2018-2019 season. Teams must comply with all rules and requirements stated in this

document and in the Game Manual Part 1. Clarifications to the game rules are issued on the Question &

Answer section of the forum at ftcforum.usfirst.org. Forum rulings take precedence over information in the

game manuals.

1.2 Game Description

Matches are played on a Playing Field initially set up as illustrated in Figure 1.3-1 below. Two Alliances – one

“Red” and one “Blue,” composed of two Teams each – compete in each Match. The object of the game is to

attain a higher Score than the opposing Alliance by descending from the Lander, collecting Minerals from the

Crater, sorting and Scoring Minerals into the Cargo Hold of the Lander, performing Autonomous tasks, and

navigating to specific parts of the Playing Field. The Scoring Elements for the game are 60 Silver Minerals and

90 Gold Minerals, and a Team supplied Team Marker. The game is played in two distinct periods: Autonomous

and Driver-Controlled.

The Match starts with a 30-second Autonomous Period in which Robots operate using only pre-programmed

instructions and sensor inputs. Alliances earn points by: (1) Landing – Robots lower themselves from the

Lander onto the Playing Field; (2) Sampling – Robots identify the single Gold Mineral in each Sample Field; (3)

Claiming – Robots place the Team Marker in their corresponding Depot; and (4) Parking – Robots that end the

Autonomous Period in a Crater earn points.

The two-minute Driver-Controlled Period follows the Autonomous Period. During this period, Teams earn

points for their Alliance by placing Minerals into their Alliance’s Cargo Holds and/or Depot. Gold Minerals must

be placed in the Gold Cargo Hold and Silver Minerals into the Silver Cargo Hold to Score. Either Mineral in the

Depot earns points for the Alliance.

The final 30 seconds of the Driver-Controlled Period is called the End Game. In addition to the previously listed

Driver-Controlled Period Scoring activities, Alliances earn points by (1) Latching onto the Lander and (2)

Parking In or Completely In any Crater.

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1.3 Playing Field Illustration

The following illustrations identify the Game Elements and gives a general visual understanding of the Playing

Field. Teams should refer to andymark.com/FTC for the exact Game Element dimensions. The official Playing

Field documents including the official Field Setup Guide are available at https://tinyurl.com/ftcgame. Please

note: Playing Field Wall heights may be different depending on the manufacturer. Wall height measurements

are in the official Field Setup Guide. Across the season, Teams may attend events that use Playing Field Walls

from different manufacturers, please incorporate that into the design of your Robot.

Figure 1.3-1 – Isometric view of the Playing Field

Figure 1.3-2 – Overhead view of the Playing Field

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1.4 Game De

finitions

The following definitions and terms are used in ROVER RUCKUS℠ presented by Qualcomm® Incorporated:

Alliance – A grouping of two Teams that work together for a given Match. Alliances are designated as

either “Red” or “Blue.”

Alliance Station – The designated “Red” or “Blue” Alliance Area adjacent to the Playing Field where the

Drivers and Coach stand during a Match. Station One is the Alliance Station closest to the audience.

Area – The space defined by the vertical projection of the outside edge of a region’s boundary (for example,

gaffers tape, goal, Playing Field Wall). The boundary element (tape, wall, markings, etc.) is considered to be

part of the Area for the purposes of determining Inside and Outside.

Autonomous Period – A thirty-second period in which the Robots operate and react only to sensor inputs

and to commands pre-programmed by the Team onto the onboard Robot control system. Human control of

the Robot is not permitted during this time.

Block / Blocking – Preventing an opposing Alliance Robot from accessing an Area or Alliance-specific

Game Element or all remaining Alliance-neutral Game Elements 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. See also Trap / Trapping (which may be

considered the same except it is from a Game Element or Area of the Playing Field).

Cargo Holds – Four Areas (two per Alliance) within the Lander where Robots deposit Minerals to Score

points.

Coach – A student Team member or adult mentor designated as the Drive Team advisor during the Match

and identified by wearing a “Coach” badge or identifying marker.

Competition Area – The Area where all the Playing Fields, Alliance Stations, scoring tables, on-deck

queuing tables, event officials, and other tournament items relating to Match play are located. The Team Pit

Area and practice Playing Fields are not part of the Competition Area.

Contaminant - A Mineral In an incompatible Cargo Hold (for example, Silver In a Gold Cargo Hold).

Control / Controlling – An object is considered to be Controlled by a Robot if the object is following the

movement of the Robot. Objects that are Controlled by a Robot are considered to be part of the Robot. See

Possess / Possessing to learn about a related term. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying – holding Game Elements Inside or Outside of a Robot.

• Herding – pushing or impelling Game Elements to a desired location or direction that gains a

strategic advantage beyond moving the Robot around the Playing Field.

• Holding – Trapping one or more Scoring Elements against a Game Element, Playing Field Wall, or

Robot in an attempt to shield or guard them.

• Launching – propelling Game Elements into the air.

Examples of interaction with Game Elements that are not Controlled include, but are not limited to:

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• Plowing – Inadvertent contact with Game Elements while in the path of the Robot moving about the

Playing Field.

• Deflecting – Inadvertent contact with a launched Game Element as it bounces off a Robot.

Crater – An Area surrounded by the Playing Field Wall and the Outer edge of the Crater Rim into which the

Minerals are placed prior to the start of a Match. There are two (2) Craters located in opposite corners of the

Playing Field. See Figure 1.3-1 for the location of the Craters.

Crater Rim – An assembly of wedge-shaped pieces on the Playing Field that forms the outside edge of a

Crater. A single Crater Rim piece measures approximately 7.6 inches wide x 9 inches long x 3 inches tall

(193 mm x 229 mm x 76 mm).

Deployed - Robot is not Latched to the Lander.

Depot – A segment of the Playing Field that is bounded by red or blue tape where Game Elements may be

deposited. The Depots are Alliance specific, there is one (1) Depot per Alliance.

Disable / Disabled – A Robot that is no longer active for the remainder of the Match due to a Robot failure

or by the request of a referee. Drive Teams may not Disable a Robot without the permission of a Field

Technical Advisor or referee. If a referee Disables a Robot during a Match, he/she will ask the Team to drive

their Robot to a neutral position on the Playing Field, issue a stop command with the Driver Station, and

place their Driver Station in a hands-off location on a tournament-provided structure or the Alliance Station

floor.

Disqualified / Disqualification / Disqualify – A Team that is Disqualified from a Match will not receive

credit for the Match (that is, no Ranking or TieBreaker points).

Drive Team – Up to three representatives (two (2) Drivers and one (1) Coach) from the same Team.

Driver – A pre-college student Team member responsible for operating and controlling the Robot and

identified by wearing a tournament supplied “Driver” badge or identifying marker.

Driver-Controlled Period – The two-minute time period in which the Drivers operate the Robots.

Driver Station – Hardware and software used by a Drive Team to control their Robot during a Match. The

Driver Station consists of an Android device, FIRST Tech Challenge supplied Android App, adapter

cable(s), optional non-powered USB Hub (i.e., does not draw power from a DC power input port), an

optional commercial off the shelf USB external battery connected to the USB Hub to charge the Android

device at any time, and up to two controllers to drive the Robot. The only allowed controller models are the

Logitech F310 Gamepad and the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows. The Driver Station also includes

decorations and any components used to hold the above listed legal devices.

End Game – The End Game is a named period of time that is the last thirty seconds of the two-minute

Driver-Controlled Period.

End of the Period/Match - The moment when the Match timer reaches 0:00.

Game Element – Any item Robots interact with to play the game. Game Elements for this year’s game

include: Minerals, Crater Rims, Team Markers and the Lander.

In (Inside) / Completely In (Completely Inside) – An object that has crossed into the upwards vertical (i.e.,

at a right angle to the Playing Field Floor) extension of a defined Area’s boundary is Inside the Area. An

object that is entirely within the upwards vertical extension of a defined Area’s boundary is Completely

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Inside the Area. The boundary element (tape, wall, markings, etc.) is part of the Area for the purposes of

determining Inside and Outside.

Inadvertent – An outcome that is not a planned strategy and not the predictable result of persistent or

repeated actions.

Inconsequential – An outcome that does not influence Scoring or gameplay.

Interference - Interaction between opposing Alliance Robots that amplifies the difficulty of a Scoring activity.

Actions that constitute Interference should not be considered illegal except as specified by a Game Rule.

Lander – The structure on the Playing Field Floor where Robots may begin the Match and includes the

Cargo Hold Scoring Areas where Robots deposit Minerals. See Figure 1.3-1 for the location of the Lander.

Lander Support Bracket – An attachment point on the Lander where Robots may start Supported at the

beginning of the Match and may Latch onto during the End Game. There are four (4) Alliance specific

Lander Support Brackets.

Landing Zone – A triangular Area underneath the Lander defined by the red or blue tape.

Latched – A Robot is considered Latched when it is Completely Supported by the Lander Support Bracket on

the Lander and is not in contact with any other Game Element, Robot, or the Playing Field Floor. Incidental

contact with Scoring Elements, the Lander sides or legs is allowed (for example, Possession of Scoring

Elements is allowed). Latching is evaluated and Scored by earthlings. Teams are encouraged to make these

actions obvious and unambiguous.

Match – A head-to-head competition between two Alliances. A Match consists of a thirty-second

Autonomous Period followed by a two-minute Driver-Controlled Period for a total time of two minutes and

thirty seconds.

Minerals – Scoring Elements for this year’s game. There are two kinds of Minerals:

• Silver: White, spherical shaped objects.

• Gold: Yellow, cube shaped objects.

Navigation Targets – Four unique images mounted on the Playing Field Walls (one image per wall) that

Robots can use to navigate around the Playing Field. Images are printed on standard letter size paper for

the tournament location, 8 1/2 inch x 11 inch (216 mm x 279 mm) or A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) paper.

Off – Not physically in contact with or Supported by an object, surface, etc. Objects that are Off are also

considered Completely Off.

On / Completely On – An object that is physically in contact with and at least partially Supported by an

object, surface, etc. is considered On. An object that is entirely Supported by another object, surface, etc. is

Completely On.

Out / Outside – An object that has not crossed into any part of a defined Area is Outside the Area.

Park / Parked – The condition where a Robot is motionless.

Penalty – The consequence imposed for a rule or procedure violation that is identified by a referee. When a

Penalty occurs, points will be awarded to the Alliance that did not incur the Penalty. Penalties are further

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defined into Minor Penalties (ten points) and Major Penalties (forty points). Penalties may also escalate to

issuing of a Yellow Card or Red Card as a result of a continued occurrence of a rule violation and upon

discretion of the Referee.

Yellow Cards and Red Cards – In addition to rule violations explicitly listed in section 1.6, Yellow

Cards and Red Cards are used in the FIRST Tech Challenge to manage Team and Robot behavior

that does not align with the mission of FIRST. Yellow and Red Cards are not limited to just the

Competition Area. Teams that display egregious behavior in the pit area, judging rooms, stands, or

any other location of the tournament can be issued a yellow or red card for egregious behavior.

Egregious or repeated (3 or more) Robot or Team member behavior at the tournament can result in

a Yellow and/or Red Card. Yellow Cards are additive, meaning that a second Yellow Card is

automatically converted to a Red Card. A Team is issued a Red Card for any subsequent incident in

which they receive an additional Yellow Card, for example, earning a second Yellow Card during a

single Match

Yellow and Red Cards at the Competition Field

The Head Referee may assign a Yellow Card as a warning, or a Red Card for Disqualification in a

Match. A Yellow Card or Red Card is signaled by the Head Referee standing in front of the Team’s

Alliance Station and holding a yellow card and/or red card in the air.

To issue the second Yellow Card, the Head Referee will stand in front of the Team’s Alliance Station

and hold a yellow card and red card. The Head Referee will signal the second Yellow Card after the

Match has ended.

A Team that has received either a Yellow Card or a Red Card carries a Yellow Card into following

Matches, except as noted below. A Red Card results in Match Disqualification. Multiple Red Cards

may lead to tournament Disqualification. Once a Team receives a Yellow Card or Red Card, the

Team number is presented with a yellow background on the audience screen at the beginning of all

following Matches. This is a reminder to the Team, referees, and audience the Team carries a

Yellow Card.

Yellow Cards do not carry over from the Qualification Matches to the Elimination Matches. During

the Elimination Matches, Yellow and Red Cards count against the entire Alliance, not to a specific

Team. If a Team receives a Yellow Card or Red Card, it results in the entire Alliance receiving the

Yellow Card or Red Card for that Match. If two different Teams on the same Alliance are issued

Yellow Cards, the entire Alliance is issued a Red Card. A Red Card results in zero (0) points for that

Match, and the Alliance loses the Match. If both Alliances receive Red Cards, the Alliance which

committed the action earning the Red Card first chronologically loses the Match.

Yellow and Red Cards may also be issued off the competition field. For details please make sure to

read the Tournament Rules outlined in section 4.3 of the Game Manual Part 1.

Pin / 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.

Playing Field – The part of the Competition Area that includes the 12 ft. x 12 ft. (3.66 m x 3.66 m) field and

all the Game Elements described in the official field documents. From the audience viewpoint, the Red

Alliance Station is on the right side of the Playing Field.

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Playing Field Damage – A physical change to a Game Element or Playing Field that affects game play or

an action that causes harm to the playability of a Game Element or Playing Field.

Playing Field Floor – The surface of the Tiles that make up the base of the Playing Field.

Playing Field Perimeter – The outside face of the Playing Field Wall.

Playing Field Wall – An approximate 12 inches (0.3 m) tall, 12 ft. (3.66 m) long by 12 ft. (3.66 m) wide wall

surrounding the Playing Field Floor. The height of the Wall will vary depending on which Playing Field Wall

is being used at the event. Robots should be built to interact with all legal perimeters.

Possess / Possessing – An object is in Possession by a Robot if, as the Robot moves or changes

orientation (for example, moves forward, turns, backs up, spins in place), the object remains in

approximately the same position relative to the Robot. Objects in Possession of a Robot are considered to

be Controlled, and they are part of the Robot. See also Control/Controlling.

Pre-Load - A Game Element that a Drive Team positions during pre-Match setup so that it is Possessed by

a Robot at the start of the Autonomous Period.

Robot – A mechanism that has passed Robot inspection and a Drive Team places on the Playing Field prior

to the start of a Match. A detailed definition of Robot is in the Robot rules section in Game Manual Part 1.

Sample Field – Three (3) positions on the Playing Field Floor that are in front of each Robot starting

location onto which the Samples are placed prior to the start of a Match. Each position is defined by a red or

blue taped Area.

Samples – Two (2) Silver and one (1) Gold Minerals that are randomly placed onto each Sample Field prior

to the start of a Match.

Scoring / Score – Robots earn points for their Alliance by interacting with Scoring Elements and Parking in

specific Areas of the Playing Field. Scoring Elements are considered to be Scored when they are placed in

the appropriate location and are no longer in contact with a Robot from the corresponding Alliance. The

Scoring achievements and their point values are described in section 1.5.

Scoring Elements – Objects that Robots manipulate to earn points for their Alliance. The Scoring Elements

for ROVER RUCKUS℠ are Minerals and Team Markers.

Scoring Referee Station – The designated “Red” or “Blue” Area Inside an Alliance Station where the

Scoring Referee sits or stands during a Match.

Stop Playing The Game - A Robot that is Parked for the remainder of the Match period.

Support / Supported / Completely Supported – A Robot is Supported by an object if that object is bearing

at least some of the weight of the Robot. If the object is bearing all the Robot’s weight, the Robot is

Completely Supported by the object.

For Example: Black tire marks on a Game Element is not considered Playing Field

Damage. However, digging a hole larger than 1 inch (2.54cm) diameter (approximately

the size of a US quarter) or a series of smaller holes into the Playing Field Floor is

considered Damage.

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Team – Mentors, supporters, and pre-college-aged students affiliated with an entity registered with FIRST

and for the competition.

Team Marker – A Team provided Scoring Element. A detailed definition of Team Marker is in section 8.4 of

the Game Manual Part 1. Compliance with construction rules will be verified during Robot Inspection.

Tile – The approximately 24 inch x 24 inch (0.61 m x 0.61 m) foam rubber mat, 36 of which make up the

Playing Field Floor.

Trap / 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. See also Block / Blocking (which may be considered the same except it is to a Game

Element or Area of the Playing Field).

1.5 Game Play

Prior to the start of the Match, Drive Teams perform some basic Robot setup steps that are described in

section 1.5.1. Matches are made up of several periods totaling two minutes and thirty seconds. There is a

thirty-second Autonomous Period, followed by a two-minute Driver-Controlled Period. The last thirty seconds of

the Driver-Controlled Period is called the End Game. When the Match is over and referees signal, Drive Teams

collect their Robots and Team Markers, return Game Elements and Flags, and exit the Competition Area.

1.5.1 Pre-Match

Field personnel will place approximately half of the fifty-two (52) Silver and half of the eighty-six (86) Gold

Minerals into each of the Craters. The Silver and Gold will be randomly mixed.

Drive Teams receive an Alliance-colored Robot-identification flag from field personnel. This flag must be securely

mounted on the Robot as defined in the Robot rules.

Minerals are not Pre-Loaded onto the Robot. Drive Teams may Pre-Load one Team Marker.

The Drive Team must select one of the following starting locations for their Robot:

1. Latched to the Lander - Robot is Completely Supported by their Alliance-specific side of the Lander

with the following constraints:

a. The Robot must be Completely Supported by the Lander Support Bracket. Incidental contact

with the Lander walls or the legs is allowed.

b. The lowest point on a Robot and Team Marker can be no closer than four (4) inches (102 mm)

from the Playing Field Floor.

c. When Completely Supported by the Lander, Robots must be within the 18 inch x 18 inch x 18

inch (45.7 cm x 45.7 cm x 45.7 cm) starting volume constraint.

2. Deployed from the Lander - Robots that start the Match Deployed are not eligible to earn the Landing

achievement points. Deployed Robots are placed on the Playing Field Floor in any orientation with the

following constraints:

a. The Robot must be In the Landing Zone within the vertical projection of the Lander Support

Bracket. For example, a portion of the Robot must be directly beneath the Lander Support

Bracket.

b. The Robot must start Outside the opposing Alliance’s Landing Zone.

After the Robots are either Latched or Deployed, and Autonomous programs have been initialized, Referees

will give a setup complete signal to the Drive Team, signifying the following:

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1. Drive Teams may no longer touch their Robots until the conclusion of the Match, and

2. Drive Teams may not touch their Driver Stations or controllers until the Autonomous Period has ended,

except to start their Autonomous program with a single touch to the Driver Station Android device

screen.

3. Prior to the start of the Match, Referees will place Samples in the Sample Field. Referees will randomly

arrange two Silver and one Gold into a grouping. This grouping will be repeated in front of each Robot

starting location.

1.5.2 Autonomous Period

The Match starts with a thirty-second Autonomous Period where Robots are operated via pre-programmed

instructions only. Teams are not allowed to control Robot behavior with the Driver Station or any other actions

during the Autonomous Period. The Driver Station is placed in a hands-off location during the Autonomous

Period so that it is evident that there is no human control of Robots. The only exception is to allow Drive Teams

to start their Robot with a single start command issued on the Driver Station Android device using the built-in

thirty-second timer. The Autonomous Period begins following a start countdown (for example, 3-2-1-go) by field

personnel, signaling Drive Teams with Robots that plan to run an Autonomous Op Mode to issue a Robot start

command with their Driver Station. Failure to adhere to this procedure may subject the Team and/or Alliance to

a Penalty as specified in the game rules in Section 1.6.2.

The Autonomous Score is based on completing tasks during the Period. Points are awarded for the following

achievements:

1. Landing – Robots lower themselves from the Lander onto the Playing Field Floor. Each Robot that is in

contact with the Playing Field Floor and not in contact with the Lander Support Bracket will earn 30

points for their Alliance.

2. Claiming – Each Robot that successfully places their Team Marker In their Alliance's Depot will earn

15 points for their Alliance. The Team Marker may only be delivered by placing it into the Depot.

Launching, shooting, throwing, etc. of a Team Marker is not allowed. If an Alliance Completely Claims

their corresponding Depot, then descoring of Minerals by the Opposing Alliance will not be allowed from

that Depot during the Driver-Controlled Period. Completely Claimed Depots are permanent for the

Match.

3. Parking – Each Robot In a Crater at the End of the Autonomous Period will earn 10 points for their

Alliance.

4. Sampling – Each Sample Field that has its Gold Mineral Out of the corresponding taped Area and the

two (2) Silver Minerals remaining In their corresponding taped Areas will earn 25 points for the

corresponding Alliance.

Minerals placed in the Depot or Cargo Hold during the Autonomous Period are Scored as described in section

1.5.3.

1.5.3 Driver-Controlled Period

Directly following the end of the Autonomous Period, Drive Teams have five (5) seconds plus a "3-2-1-go"

countdown to prepare their Driver Stations for the start of the Driver-Controlled Period. On the countdown

word "go," the Driver-Controlled Period starts and Drive Teams press their Driver Station start buttons to

resume playing the Match.

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The Driver-Controlled Score is based on completing tasks as outlined below. Points are awarded for the

following achievements: Minerals Scored earn points as follows:

1. Minerals Scored into the Depot earn two (2) points each. Minerals removed from the Depot deduct two

(2) points each.

2. Gold Scored into the Gold Cargo Hold on the Lander earns five (5) points.

3. Silver Scored into the Silver Cargo Hold on the Lander earns five (5) points.

4. Minerals placed into the wrong Cargo Hold (that is, Gold into Silver or Silver into Gold) on the Lander

are considered Contaminants and Score zero (0) points.

5. To be considered Scored for either the Depot or a Cargo Hold, a Mineral must be In the volume defined

by the Scoring Area. For the Depots, the volume is defined by the outer edge of the tape and extending

infinitely upwards from the Playing Field Floor. For a Cargo Hold, the volume is defined by the 5 inner

surfaces of the Cargo Hold and the horizontal extension of the upper edge of the clear panel on the

outside of the Cargo Hold.

1.5.4 End Game

The last thirty seconds of the Driver-Controlled Period is called the End Game. Driver-Controlled Period

Scoring can still take place during the End Game.

Points are awarded at the End of the Match for the following End Game achievements:

1. Robots Latched – Each Robot that Deployed during pre-Match setup or in the course of game play

and is Latched onto either of their own Alliance-specific Lander Support Brackets at the End of the

Match earns 50 points for their Alliance.

2. Robots Parked In any Crater – Each Robot that is Parked In any Crater at the End of the Match earns

15 points for their Alliance.

3. Robots Parked Completely In any Crater – Each Robot that is Parked Completely In any Crater at

the End of the Match earns 25 points for their Alliance.

1.5.5 Post Match

After the Match ends, field personnel will finalize the Score. Referees will signal for the Drive Teams to enter

the Playing Field and retrieve their Robots and Team Markers. Drive Teams should not step on the Crater Rim

when retrieving their Robots and Team Markers. The Drive Teams should return any Minerals that are

Possessed by the Robot to the Playing Field and return the Alliance-colored Robot identification flag to the field

personnel. The Playing Field reset crew will set up the Playing Field for the next Match.

1.5.6 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 ten (10) points per occurrence. Major Penalties give the non-offending Alliance forty

(40) points per occurrence.

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1.5.7 Flowchart of Match Play

The following figure shows the flow of the Match and the actions taken on the Driver’s Station Android

device.

1.6 Rules of Game Play

Game play is restricted by the Safety rules (<S#>), the General rules (<G#>), and the Game-Specific rules

(<GS#>). Other rules to pay close attention to are the Robot rules, Team Marker rules, the inspection rules,

and the tournament rules defined in the Game Manual Part 1. Violation of rules may lead to Penalties,

Yellow Cards and/or Red Cards, a Disabled Robot, Disqualification of the offending Team and/or Alliance

from either a Match or the tournament. Rules apply to all periods of play unless specifically called out

otherwise. If rules are in conflict, Safety rules take precedence over all rules and Game-Specific rules take

precedence over General rules. The official FIRST Tech Challenge Question & Answer Forum rulings take

precedence over all information in the game manuals.

1.6.1 Safety Rules

<S1> Unsafe Robot and Playing Field Damage – If at any time the Robot operation is deemed unsafe or

has damaged the Playing Field or another Robot, by the determination of the referees, the offending Robot

may be Disabled, and the Team may be issued a Yellow Card. Re-inspection of the Robot is required before

it may play another Match. Damage that requires significant repair and/or delays subsequent Match play is

likely to escalate to a Red Card.

The intent of this rule is to immediately stop unsafe Robot actions or Playing Field Damage that

is likely to persist with continued Robot operation. Robots that can continue safe operation

without damaging the Playing Field will receive a warning and may continue to play the Match.

Robots will be Disabled for unsafe operation or Playing Field Damage that occurs after the first

warning for the tournament. Damage that affects game play is likely to escalate to a Yellow

Card.

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<S2> Robot Extension Outside the Playing Field Perimeter – If any portion of the Robot contacts

anything Outside the Playing Field Perimeter, the Team will be issued a Yellow Card and it may be Disabled

immediately for the remainder of the Match, unless allowed by Game-Specific rule(s) listed in Section 1.6.3.

See the game definitions in section 1.4 for a complete description of the Playing Field Perimeter.

<S3> Safety Gear – All members of the Drive Team are required to wear approved eye protection and

shoes with closed-toes and a closed-back. If any member of the Drive Team is not wearing these safety

items, the referee will issue a warning and if the situation is not remedied within thirty seconds, the offending

member(s) of the Drive Team must leave the Competition Area for the remainder of the Match and may not

be replaced by another Team member. Failure to comply with a request to leave the Competition Area

violates rule <G28>.

1.6.2 General Game Rules

<G1> Drive Team – Each Drive Team shall include up to two Drivers and one Coach. Electronic

communications (cell phone, two-way radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) by Drive Team members after an Alliance

has been called from the queue to the Playing Field for its Match are not allowed. The first instance of violating

this rule will result in a warning, with any following instances during the tournament resulting in a Minor

Penalty. Items that may be mistaken by a casual observer as being in violation should not be brought to the

Playing Field. The Driver Station is exempt from this rule but must be used only for operating the Robot.

<G2> Pre-Match Robot Setup - Team members cannot enter the Playing Field for any reason other than to

place/retrieve their Robots. Teams may not measure, test, or adjust field or game elements prior to the start of

a Match. Inspection of the Playing Field elements by Team members to determine Scoring is not allowed.

Individuals and Teams that violate this rule will be subject to possible penalties that could include Match

Disqualifications or even removal from the tournament.

<G3> Pre-Match Robot Placement – At the beginning of a Match, each Alliance Robot must be set up on the

Playing Field according to section 1.5.1 Pre- Match in the Game Manual Part 2. After Robots are set up on the

Playing Field, Drive Teams must stand Completely inside the Alliance Station at the location (Station one or

Station two) specified by the Qualification Match schedule.

a. 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.

b. 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. 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.

c. 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

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d. 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.

e. Teams that unnecessarily delay the beginning of a Match and/or field reset will incur a Minor Penalty for

each offense.

<G4> Robot Starting Volume – Before the start of a Match, each Robot in its starting location must not

exceed a volume of 18 inches (45.7cm) by 18 inches (45.7cm) by 18 inches (45.7cm) unless otherwise allowed

or restricted by Game Specific Rules detailed in Section 1.6.3. The Alliance identification flag and Pre-Loaded

Scoring Elements may extend Outside the 18-inch (45.7cm) cube volume constraint. An offending Robot will be

removed from the Playing Field for the length of the Match.

After the start of a Match, the Robot may extend in any dimension unless restricted by the Game-Specific rules

detailed in Section 1.6.3.

<G5> Robot Setup/Alignment – Teams may align their Robots during Pre-Match setup if they do so with legal

components that are part of the Robot and can be reset to be within the 18-inch (45.7cm) cube starting volume

constraint. A single member of the Drive Team may also align the Robot by sight, assuming that he/she is next

to the Robot and does not delay the start of a Match. A Minor Penalty will be assessed to the Team for

violation of this rule.

<G6> Alliance Station – During a Match, the Drivers and Coach must remain Completely Inside their Alliance

Station. The first instance of leaving the Alliance Station will result in a warning, with any following instances

resulting in a Minor Penalty. Leaving the Alliance Station for safety reasons will not result in a warning or

Penalty.

<G7> Starting Game Play Early – Robots that start play of the game (Autonomous or Driver-Controlled

Period) prior to the start of a Match Period receive a Minor Penalty. Referees have the option of issuing a

Major Penalty in place of the Minor Penalty if the early start results in a competitive advantage for the offending

Alliance.

<G8> Late Start of the Autonomous Period – Teams participating in the Autonomous Period are expected to

press the ”start with 30-second” button on their Driver Station Android device and then place the Driver Station

in a hands-off location without delay when field personnel signal the start of the Autonomous Period. A Minor

Penalty is assessed for violating this rule. Referees have the option of issuing a Major Penalty in place of the

Minor Penalty if the late start results in a competitive advantage for the offending Alliance.

<G9> Robot Control During Autonomous Period - During the Autonomous Period, Drive Teams may not

directly or indirectly control or interact with Robots or Driver Stations. Early stopping of the Robot while running

its Autonomous code is not allowed, except in cases of personal or equipment safety. A Major Penalty will be

assessed for violating this rule.

Drive Teams are expected to stage their Robots for a Match, and remove it from the

Playing Field afterwards, safely and swiftly. Drive Team efforts that either

intentionally or unintentionally delay the start of a Match or the Playing Field reset

are not allowed. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Late arrival to the Playing Field.

• Robot maintenance once on the Playing Field.

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<G10> Stopping Game Play Late – Robots that do not Stop Playing The Game at the end of the Autonomous

or Driver-Controlled Periods when competition personnel or timer software announce the end of a Match

period receive a Minor Penalty and the actions of the Robot occurring after the end of a Match period do not

count towards their Alliance’s Score. Referees have the option of issuing a Major Penalty in place of the Minor

Penalty if the late stop results in a competitive advantage (other than Scoring) for the offending Alliance.

Scoring Elements that were launched before the End of the Period are eligible to be counted as Scored. Other

Robot Scoring achievements that occur after the announced end of the Autonomous Period and before the

start of the Driver-Controlled Period do not count towards the Score for the Autonomous or Driver-Controlled

Periods. Referees may remove any Scoring Elements from a Scoring Area that are improperly Scored in this

manner.

The intent of this rule is for Robots to Stop Playing The Game within a reasonable human reaction time

following the start of the game sound (i.e., buzzer) signaling the End of the Period. Drive Teams should make

their best effort to stop game play immediately when the End of the Period game sound begins. Before the

consequences come into play, referees will use their discretion to give Drive Teams an approximate one

second grace period following the conclusion of the game sound signaling the End of the Period for Robots to

Stop Playing the Game.

<G11> Drive Team Contact with the Playing Field or Robot – During a Match, the Drivers and Coaches are

prohibited from making contact with the Playing Field, any Game Element, or any Robot. The first instance of

contact will result in a warning, with any following instances resulting in a Minor Penalty. Contact that affects

Scoring and/or game play will result in issuance of a Yellow Card at the discretion of the referees. Contact with

the Playing Field, a Game Element, or a Robot for safety reasons will not result in a warning or Penalty.

<G12> Autonomous to Driver-Controlled Period Transition – At the conclusion of the Autonomous Period,

Robots will remain in a hands-off state. Field personnel will not enter the field and will not touch Robots on the

field during the Autonomous to Driver-Controlled transition. Drive Teams will have 5 seconds to pick up their

Driver Station. The scoring system display will provide visual and audio cues for Drive Teams to pick up their

Driver Stations. After the 5 seconds, there will be a 3-2-1 countdown and the Driver-Controlled Period of the

Match will begin.

<G13> Drive Team Coach Driver Station Control – During the Driver-Controlled Period, Robots must be

remotely operated only by the Drivers using the Gamepads connected to the Team’s Driver Station and/or by

software running on the on-board Robot control system. The first instance of Coach controlling a Robot (for

example, operating a Gamepad) will result in a warning, with any following instances resulting in a Major

Penalty. During the Driver-Controlled Period, Drive Team Coaches and/or Drivers are allowed to hold the

Team’s Driver Station Android device and interact with it to select an Op Mode, view information displayed on

the screen, and initialize, start, stop, and reset the Robot.

<G14> Certifying the Score at Match End – Scores will be tracked by field personnel throughout the

Autonomous and Driver-Controlled Periods of the Match. At the conclusion of the Match, the final Score will be

certified as quickly as possible. A change in state of a Game Element or Robot at the end of the Match after its

final Score is recorded will not change an already-recorded Score. Scoring Elements will not be recounted at

the end of the Match.

For example, a Game Element is launched from a Robot on the Playing Field and it

Inadvertently hits a Team member in the Alliance Station and is deflected back onto

the field. The Team would not receive a Penalty because the Team member was

protecting him/herself (safety). However, if that same Game Element is caught and/or

directed to a specific location on the Playing Field, the Team may be issued a Penalty.

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<G15> Robots Deliberately Detaching Parts – Parts may not be deliberately detached from Robots during a

Match or leave mechanisms on the Playing Field unless permitted by a Game Specific Rule. The consequence

of deliberately detaching a part is a Minor Penalty if it does not Block an opposing Alliance Robot, Alliance-

specific Scoring Element or Scoring Area. If a deliberately-detached component or mechanism affects game

play by any Robot, the offending Robot will receive a Major Penalty and will be issued a Yellow Card. Robot

parts that are released but remain connected by a tether are considered detached for the purposes of this rule.

<G16> Robots Grasping Game Elements – Robots may not grab, grasp and/or attach to any Game Element,

Robot, or structure other than Scoring Elements, unless specifically allowed by game-specific rule(s) listed in

Section 1.6.3. The first instance will result in a warning with any following violations resulting in a Major

Penalty.

<G17> Destruction, Damage, Tipping, etc. – Strategies and/or mechanisms aimed solely at the destruction,

damage, tipping over, or entanglement of Robots or Game Elements are not in the spirit of the FIRST Tech

Challenge and are not allowed. However, FIRST Tech Challenge games are highly interactive and Robot-to-

Robot contact and defensive game play should be expected. Some tipping, entanglement, and damage may

occur as a part of normal game play. If the tipping, entanglement, or damage is ruled to be deliberate or

chronic, the offending Team will receive a Major Penalty and a Yellow Card.

<G18> Pinning, Trapping, or Blocking Robots – A Robot cannot cause an opposing Alliance Robot to

become Pinned, Trapped, or Blocked for more than five seconds. If a referee determines this rule is violated,

the offending Alliance will receive a Minor Penalty for every five seconds that they are in violation. If a referee

declares a Pinning, Trapping, or Blocking warning during the Match, the offending Robot must immediately

move away at least 3 feet (0.9 m), approximately 1.5 floor Tiles, from the Pinned, Trapped, or Blocked Robot.

A Robot cannot incur this type of Penalty during the Autonomous Period unless it is determined by the Referee

to be part of a deliberate strategy and will be penalized as described above. If the violation happens during the

Autonomous Period, the first action done by the offending Robot during the Driver-Controlled Period must be to

move away from the Pinned, Trapped, or Blocked Robot or a Minor Penalty will be assessed immediately and

again for every five-seconds that they are in violation. Game-specific rule(s) listed in Section 1.6.3 that further

define Pinning, Trapping, or Blocking take precedence over this general game rule.

<G19> Forcing an Opponent to Break a Rule – The actions of an Alliance or their Robots shall not cause an

opposing Alliance or Robot to break a rule and thus incur Penalties. Any forced rule violations committed by

the affected Alliance shall be excused, and no Penalties will be assigned.

<G20> Removing Game Elements from the Playing Field – Robots may not deliberately remove Game

Elements from the Playing Field during a Match. Game Elements that Inadvertently fall Outside the Playing

Field will be returned to the Playing Field by field personnel at the earliest safe and convenient opportunity at a

non-Scoring location approximately where it left the field. Game Elements removed from the Playing Field in an

attempt to Score are also not subject to this Penalty. Teams deliberately removing Game Elements from the

Playing Field will incur a Minor Penalty per Game Element removed from the Playing Field. Game-specific

Tethered components that move independent of the main Robot

are considered a detached component and are illegal.

The intent of this Rule is that Drive Teams begin to immediately move their

Robots away and have a five second grace period to move the required distance,

and not that they are permitted to intentionally Block for up to five seconds.

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rule(s) listed in Section 1.6.3 that allow the removal of specified Scoring Elements from the Playing Field take

precedence over this general game rule.

<G21> Scoring Elements in Contact with Robots – Scoring Elements in a Scoring Area that are in contact

with or Controlled by a Robot on the corresponding Alliance for the Scoring Area have zero Score value.

Game-specific rule(s) listed in Section 1.6.3 that allow Robot contact with Scoring Elements take precedence

over this general game rule.

<G22> Post-Match Removal of Game Elements from Robots – Robots must be designed to permit easy

removal of Game Elements from the Robot after the Match. Robots should also be able to be removed from the

Playing Field without damaging the Playing Field. A Minor Penalty will be assessed for violations of this rule.

The intent of this rule is to have timely removal of Robots from the Playing Field following a Match.

<G23> Robot Manipulation of Scoring Elements – Scoring Elements that are Controlled or Possessed by a

Robot are considered to be part of the Robot except when determining the location of the Robot.

<G24> Robot or Scoring Elements In Two or More Scoring Areas – Robots or Scoring Elements that are In

two or more Scoring Areas earn points only for the highest value achievement. If the achievement values are

equal, only one achievement counts as Scored. Exceptions to this general rule may be specified in the Game

Play section (1.5) or in the game-specific rules.

<G25> Disabled Robot Eligibility - If a referee Disables a Robot, it will not be eligible to Score or earn points

for the remainder of the Match. A Disabled Robot (whether referee induced or failure) does not earn Penalties

after becoming Disabled.

<G26> Playing Field Tolerances – Tournament provided Playing Field and Game Elements will start each

Match with tolerances that may vary by as much as +/-1.0 inch (2.5 cm). Teams must design their Robots

accordingly.

<G27> Match Replay – Matches are replayed at the discretion of the Head Referee only for a failure of a non-

Team supplied Game Element or verified Wi-Fi interference that was likely to have impacted which Alliance

won the Match.

Unexpected Robot behavior will not result in a Match replay. Team-induced failures, such as low battery

conditions, processor sleep time-outs, Robot mechanical, electrical, software, or communication failures, etc.

are NOT valid justifications for a replaying of a Match.

Drive Teams are expected to stage their Robots for a Match, and remove them

from the Playing Field afterwards, safely and swiftly. Drive Team efforts that

either intentionally or unintentionally delay the start of a Match or the Playing

Field reset are not allowed. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Failing to exit the Playing Field once instructed by a Referee.

• Failing to remove Driver Stations in a timely manner.

For Example: If a Robot possesses a Scoring Element, and only that Scoring

Element breaks the plane of a Scoring Area, the Robot does not receive points

for being in that Area.

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<G28> Egregious Behavior – Egregious Robot or Team member behavior at the Playing Field, as determined

by the referees, will result in a Major Penalty and issuance of a Yellow Card and/or Red Card. Subsequent

violations will result in Team Disqualification from the tournament. Egregious behavior includes, but is not

limited to, repeated and/or flagrant violation of game rules, unsafe behavior or actions, and uncivil behavior

towards Drivers, Coaches, competition personnel, or event attendees.

<G29> Illegal Usage of Game Elements - Robots may not deliberately use Game Elements in an attempt to

ease or amplify the difficulty of any Scoring or game activity. A Major Penalty will be assessed for violations of

this rule. Continued violations of this rule will escalate to Yellow Cards quickly.

<G30> Inadvertent and Inconsequential - Robot actions that violate a rule may be ruled at the referee’s

discretion to be Inconsequential and Inadvertent and will not be Penalized.

1.6.3 Game-Specific Rules

<GS1> Drive Teams Touching Robots or Driver Stations after Sample Randomization – Drive Teams are

not allowed to touch or interact with their Robots or Driver Stations once field personnel have begun the

randomization process. If this occurs, a Minor Penalty will be assessed, and the affected Robot is not eligible

to earn the Sample Score in the Autonomous Period. This Penalty only affects the offending Team. The non-

offending Alliance Partner Robot remains eligible for the Sample Scoring achievement.

<GS2> Autonomous Period Robot Interference – Robots may not Interfere with the opposing Alliance’s

Scoring attempts or Sample Field during the Autonomous Period. A Major Penalty will be assessed for

violating this rule. Robots attempting to Score in a Crater are exempt from this rule.

The intent of this rule is to allow Robots to Score their Autonomous points without defensive play by the

opposing Alliance. Inadvertent and Inconsequential actions will be treated per <G30>.

<GS3>Control/Possession Limits of Minerals – A Robot may Control or Possess a maximum of two (2)

Minerals at a time, however there is no Control or Possession limit on Minerals that are currently In the Crater.

Plowing through any quantity of Minerals is allowed but herding or directing multiple Minerals beyond the

allotted maximum to gain a strategic advantage (i.e., Scoring, accessibility, defense) is not allowed. The

Penalty for Controlling or Possessing more than the allotted maximum is an immediate Minor Penalty for each

Mineral above the limit plus an additional Minor Penalty per Mineral for each 5-second interval that this

situation continues. A Major Penalty will be assessed for each Mineral Scored while a Robot Controls or

Possesses more than the allotted maximum. Continued violation of this rule will escalate to Yellow Cards

quickly.

Robot designs that obscure visibility of Minerals within a Robot may prevent

referees from providing feedback to Drive Teams about violations of <GS3> and

may lead to the Robot earning Penalties.

Since both Craters are Alliance neutral, Inadvertent and/or Inconsequential interaction

between opposing Alliance Robots attempting to enter the Craters should not be

considered illegal Interference. Robot actions that run an unnecessary risk of preventing

opposing Robot access to the Crater is likely to be seen as illegal Interference. Teams

should take this into consideration when designing their autonomous program.

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<GS4> De-scoring Minerals – Robots may not remove or re-position Minerals from the Cargo Holds. Robots

may remove Minerals from their opposing Alliance's Depot if it was not Completely Claimed in the Autonomous

Period. Robots may remove Minerals from their own Alliance's Depot. A Minor Penalty will be assessed for

each Mineral illegally removed or re-positioned.

<GS5> Blocking Access to Scoring in the Lander - Robots may not Block access to an opposing Alliance's

Lander Cargo Hold or Lander Support Bracket. The first instance will result in an immediate Major Penalty and

an additional Minor Penalty assessed for every five-seconds that the rule violation persists. If the referee

declares a Blocking access Penalty, the offending Robot must move away at least 3 ft. (0.9 m), approximately

1.5 floor Tiles from the opponent's Landing Zone. Additional occurrences of violations of this rule will escalate

to Yellow Cards quickly.

<GS6> Interfering with Scoring at the Lander – Robots may not Interfere with the opposing Alliance’s Robot

while that Robot is In their Alliance’s Landing Zone attempting to Score Minerals or Latch to the Lander.

Interference results in an immediate Major Penalty and an additional Minor Penalty assessed for every five-

seconds that the rule violation persists. The intent of this rule is to allow Robots to Score Minerals or Latch

without Interference. Additional occurrences of violations of this rule will escalate to Yellow Cards quickly.

<GS7> Latching before the End Game - Deployed Robots are not allowed to intentionally Support any

portion of their weight with the Lander Support Bracket prior to the start of the End Game. Robots that attempt

to Latch to the Lander Support Bracket before the start of the End Game are not eligible to Score the End

Game Latching achievement.

<GS8> Latching to the Lander - Robots may latch only onto either of their Alliance specific Lander Support

Brackets. A Major Penalty is assessed for violating this rule.

<GS9> Launching Game Elements - Robots In the Landing Zone for their corresponding Alliance may

Launch Game Elements in an attempt to Score in a Cargo Hold. Robots Outside their Alliance's Landing

Zone may not Launch Game Elements. A Minor Penalty is assessed for each illegally Launched Game

Element. Additional occurrences of violations of this rule will escalate to Yellow Cards quickly.

Illegally Launched Scoring Elements are eligible to be counted as Scored and a

Minor Penalty is assessed for each illegally Launched Game Element.

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1.7 Scoring Summary

The following table shows the possible Scoring achievements and their point values. The table is a quick

reference guide and not a substitute for a thorough understanding of the game manual.

Scoring Achievement

Autonomous

Points

Driver-

Controlled

Points

End Game

Points**

Reference

Robot

- Landing

- Claiming

- Parking

- Sampling

- Latching

- Robot In Crater

- Robot Completely In

Crater

1.5.2 - 1

1.5.2 - 2

1.5.2 - 3

1.5.2 - 4

1.5.4 - 1

1.5.4 - 2

1.5.4 - 3

Mineral

- Any Mineral in Depot

- Gold in Gold Cargo Hold

- Silver in Silver Cargo Hold

- Gold in Silver Cargo Hold

- Silver in Gold Cargo Hold

1.5.3 - 1

1.5.3 - 2

1.5.3 - 3

1.5.3 - 4

** - The End Game occurs during the last thirty-seconds of the Driver-Controlled Period.

1.8 Rule Summary

The following table shows the possible rule violations and their consequences. The table is a quick

reference guide and not a substitute for a thorough understanding of the complete rule descriptions in

section 1.6.

Rule #

Rule

Consequence

Warning

Disable

Minor

Penalty

Major

Penalty

Card

Issued

Safety Rules

<S1>

Unsafe Robot.

Disable if unsafe operation is likely

to persist. Optional Yellow Card.

YC*

Damage to the Playing

Field.

Warning escalating to Disable.

Optional Yellow Card.

W D

YC*

<S2>

Contact Outside the Playing

Field.

Immediate Yellow Card and Optional

Disable unless allowed by rule.

<S3>

Drive Team missing safety

gear.

Warning and if not resolved within

30 seconds, the offending

member(s) of the Drive Team must

leave the Competition Area and may

not be replaced.

W+

General Rules

<G1>

Drive Team using disallowed

electronic communication.

Warning followed by a Minor

Penalty.

<G2>

Pre-Match Robot setup –

Entering the Playing Field.

May lead to Disqualification from

Match or Tournament.

DQ*

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 25

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Rule #

Rule

Consequence

Warning

Disable

Minor

Penalty

Major

Penalty

Card

Issued

<G3>

Pre-Match Robot placement.

Minor Penalty if Teams delay start of

Match.

<G4>

Robot starting volume.

Robot is Disabled, powered off, and

removed from the Playing Field.

<G5>

Robot setup alignment

devices/Match Delay.

Minor Penalty for each offense.

<G6>

Drive Team member(s)

leaving the Alliance Station.

Warning for the first instance with

any following instances resulting in a

Minor Penalty.

<G7>

Starting Game Play Early.

Minor Penalty with the option of a

Major Penalty if the early start

results in a competitive advantage

for the offending Alliance.

<G8>

Late Start of the

Autonomous Period.

Minor Penalty with the option of a

Major Penalty if the late start results

in a competitive advantage for the

offending Alliance.

<G9>

Robot control during

Autonomous Period / Early

stopping of Autonomous

code.

Major Penalty for each offense.

<G10>

Stopping Game Play Late.

Minor Penalty and the actions of the

Robot that occur after the end of

game play do not count towards

their Alliance’s Score. Major Penalty

if the late stop results in a

competitive advantage for the

offending Alliance.

<G11>

Drive Team contact with the

Playing Field, Game

Element, or Robot.

Warning for the first instance with

any following instances resulting in a

Minor Penalty. Optional Yellow Card

if contact affects Scoring and/or

game play. Contact for safety

reasons will not result in a warning

or Penalty.

YC*

<G13>

Drive Team Coach Driver

Station Control.

Warning for the first instance with

any following instances resulting in a

Major Penalty.

<G15>

Robots deliberately

detaching parts.

Minor Penalty. Major Penalty and a

Yellow Card if it affects gameplay.

<G16>

Robots illegally grasping

Game Elements.

Warning for the first instance with

any following instances resulting in a

Major Penalty.

<G17>

Destruction, damage,

tipping, etc.

Deliberate or chronic violations of

this rule will receive a Major Penalty

and a Yellow Card.

<G18>

Pinning, Trapping, or

Blocking for more than 5-

seconds in the Driver-

Controlled Period.

Minor Penalty for every five seconds

the Robot violates this rule.

26 | FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2

Revision 1.1: 9/8/2018

Rule #

Rule

Consequence

Warning

Disable

Minor

Penalty

Major

Penalty

Card

Issued

<G20>

Deliberately removing Game

Elements from the Playing

Field.

Minor Penalty per Game Element

deliberately removed from the

Playing Field.

<G21>

Scoring Elements in contact

or Controlled with Robots of

the corresponding Alliance.

Points are not earned for any

Scoring Elements in contact with

Robots of the corresponding

Alliance.

<G22>

Delay caused by removal of

Robots from the Playing

Field and Game Elements

from Robots.

A Minor Penalty will be assessed.

<G28>

Egregious behavior.

Major Penalty plus a Yellow and/or

Red Card. Possible Match

Disqualification. Subsequent

violations result in Team

Disqualification for the tournament.

<G29>

Illegal Use of Game

Elements to ease or amplify

Scoring.

Major Penalty will be assessed with

any following instances resulting in a

Yellow Card.

Game-Specific Rules

<GS1>

Touching Robots or Driver

Stations after Sample

Randomization.

Minor Penalty and Robot is not

eligible to earn the Sample Score.

1x+

<GS2>

Interference with opposing

Alliance Scoring or Sample

Field during Autonomous.

Major Penalty will be assessed.

<GS3>

Control / Possession limits

of Minerals.

Minor Penalty per Mineral plus an

additional Minor Penalty per five

seconds. Major Penalty if Mineral is

Scored. May escalate to Yellow

Card.

1x+

<GS4>

De-scoring Minerals from

Cargo Holds or Completely

Claimed Depots.

Minor Penalty per Mineral.

1x+

<GS5>

Blocking access to Scoring

in Lander.

Major Penalty is assessed plus an

additional Minor Penalty per 5

seconds in violation. May escalate to

Yellow Card.

1x+

YC*

<GS6>

Interfering with Scoring in

Lander.

Major Penalty is assessed plus an

additional Minor Penalty per 5

seconds in violation. May escalate to

Yellow Card.

1x+

YC*

<GS7>

Latching before End Game

begins.

Robot ineligible to Score the

Latching achievement.

<GS8>

Latching to opposing

Alliance’s Lander Support

Bracket.

Major Penalty is assessed.

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 27

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Rule #

Rule

Consequence

Warning

Disable

Minor

Penalty

Major

Penalty

Card

Issued

<GS9>

Launching Game Elements

illegally.

Minor Penalty per occurrence. May

escalate to Yellow Card.

YC*

Column Key

1x: Penalty at normal (single) cost

2x: Penalty at double cost

D: Robot Disabled

D*: Robot optionally Disabled

DQ*: Possible Disqualification

RC: Red Card issued

W: Warning

YC: Yellow Card issued

YC*: Yellow Card optionally issued

28 |   FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2  
 
 
 
 Revision 1.1: 9/8/2018 
Appendix A – Resources  
Game Forum Q&A 
http://ftcforum.usfirst.org/forum.php  
Anyone may view questions and answers within the FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Q&A forum without a 
password. To submit a new question, you must have a unique Q&A System User Name and Password for your 
team. 
 
Volunteers that apply for a specific volunteer role will receive an email from FTCTrainingSupport@firstinspires.org 
with their username and password to the forum. You will receive access to the forum thread specific to your role. 
FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manuals 
Part 1 and 2 - https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/ftc/game-and-season-info     
FIRST Headquarters Pre-Event Support 
Phone: 603-666-3906 
Mon – Fri 
8:30am – 5:00pm Eastern Time 
Email: firstechchallengeteams@firstinspires.org  
FIRST Websites 
FIRST homepage – www.firstinspires.org  
FIRST Tech Challenge Page – For everything FIRST Tech Challenge. 
FIRST Tech Challenge Volunteer Resources – To access public Volunteer Manuals. 
FIRST Tech Challenge Event Schedule – Find FIRST Tech Challenge events in your area. 
FIRST Tech Challenge Social Media 
FIRST Tech Challenge Twitter Feed - If you are on Twitter, follow the FIRST Tech Challenge Twitter feed for 
news updates. 
FIRST Tech Challenge Facebook page - If you are on Facebook, follow the FIRST Tech Challenge page for news 
updates. 
FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube Channel – Contains training videos, Game animations, news clips, and more. 
FIRST Tech Challenge Blog – Weekly articles for the FIRST Tech Challenge community, including Outstanding 
Volunteer Recognition! 
FIRST Tech Challenge Team Email Blasts – contain the most recent FIRST Tech Challenge news for Teams. 
Feedback 
We strive to create support materials that are the best they can be. If you have feedback about this manual, please email 
firsttechchallengeteams@firstinspires.org.Thank you! 
 
 

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 29

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Appendix B - Field Details

Sample Field

Figure B-1 Sample Field Locations

Figure B-2 Example of Samples positioned on Sample Field

The type of Minerals positioned at the three locations in the Sample Field will be randomized prior to each

Match. There will always be one (1) Gold and two (2) Silver Minerals. The starting locations for the Samples

are 2” x 2” strips of red or blue Gaffer tape located as shown in Figure B1-1. The two outside tape strips are

positioned in the corners of the Tile, adjacent to the inside edge of the Tile tabs. The third tape strip is located

midway between the two outside strips.

30 | FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2

Revision 1.1: 9/8/2018

Lander

Figure B-3 Lander Detail

Lander Support Bracket

Figure B-4 Lander Support Bracket Detail

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 31

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Navigation Target

Figure B-5 Navigation Target Location

Figure B-6 Navigation Targets

32 | FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2

Revision 1.1: 9/8/2018

Crater

Figure B-7 Silver and Gold Minerals will be randomly mixed.

Each Crater will contain approximately half the available Minerals.

Landing Zone

Figure B-8 Landing Zone Dimensions

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 33

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Appendix C – Game Elements

Minerals

Figure C-1 There are sixty (60) Silver and ninety (90) Gold Minerals on the Playing Field.

Team Markers

Figure C-2 A Team Marker is supplied by the Team

and is constrained by the rules in section 8.4 in the Game Manual Part 1.

34 | FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2

Revision 1.1: 9/8/2018

Appendix D – Sample Field

Figure D-1 Sample Field Scoring Examples

Note: The Gold Sample will always be placed such that the hole pattern is facing up.

Figure D-2 Sample Field Pattern determined by die roll

FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 35

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Appendix E – Cargo Hold Scoring

Per section 1.5.3 – 5, the Cargo Hold volume is defined by the 5 inner surfaces of the Cargo Hold and the

horizontal extension of the upper edge of the clear panel on the outside of the Cargo Hold.

Figure E-1 Cargo Hold Scoring

Game Manual Part 2

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