Rules

Read more about [|Gracious Professionalism]  Interest in engineering innovation… Assuming you have read all the missions, rules, and Game Q&A carefully…     This rule is not only about the robot. It also covers all of the attachments and strategic objects you bring to the competition area… __For RCX users: __ ||  ||  __For NXT users:__ || RCX controller (1) ||  || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">NXT controller (1) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">motors (3) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">motors (3) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">touch sensors (2) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">touch sensors (2) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">light sensors (2) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">light sensors (2) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lamp (1) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lamp (1) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rotation sensors (3) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rotation sensors (3 minus the number of NXT motors present) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">3rd touch OR light sensor (1) || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ultrasonic sensor (1) || <span style="display: none; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msohide: all;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-no-proof: yes;">               <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Your robot is defined as the main body containing the NXT (or RCX) controller and anything that does not fall off when the main body is picked up, turned over (or flipped any way), and/or shaken. <span style="display: none; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hide: all;">Bottom of Form <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Attachments are defined as parts of your robot that are designed to be added and/or removed. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If the robot **//and every object//** in its strategic control are **//completely out//** of Base… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If the robot **//or any objects//** in its strategic control are **//at least partially in//** Base… If the only part of your robot in Base at the time of an active robot touch is a cord, hose, wire, tube, chain or string, the robot is treated as if it were completely out of Base. If an untouched robot loses contact with an object, that object stays where it is unless/until the robot regains contact with it. Such objects may not be recovered by hand. For exceptions, see the STRAY OBJECTS and ROBOT DAMAGE rules. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At any time, you may recover robot parts that come off as a result of obviously unintentional damage. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-no-proof: yes;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-no-proof: yes;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> A - The restriction against attaching things to mission models has been removed. B - The robot and everything it has, can now be pulled into Base as soon as any of it reaches Base. C - Stray objects must now be taken off the table if they’re going to be moved at all. Shifting is not allowed. D - A tethering rule allows tethering while preventing teams from using it to avoid a touch penalty. E - The definition of ON has been removed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Gracious Professionalism **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You are “Gracious Professionals.” This means you are competing hard against PROBLEMS, while treating PEOPLE with respect and kindness - people from your own team as well people from other teams.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You build onto other people’s ideas instead of resisting or defeating them.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Purpose **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">FLL is a technical experience so fun, you forget it’s technical. Soon you realize technical **//is//** fun - and want more.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">FLL uses competition as an exciting motivator to get you to come up with ideas, solutions, processes, and inventions no one has ever seen before.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Autonomy **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The FLL Robot Game is to be played by an “autonomous” robot. That means you’re not supposed to influence it while it’s doing its work.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But most teams need to intercept their robot once or more during the match. So you’re allowed to do that, but it always forces a restart from Base, and sometimes, there’s a penalty.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If A Detail Isn’t Mentioned, Then It Doesn’t Matter **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If no particular method is required, then any method is okay.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If something is not specifically required, then you don’t have to do it.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If there’s no restriction against something, then it’s allowed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There are no hidden requirements or restrictions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But there are hidden freedoms - in what the rules do **//not//** say.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rules **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">1 - Participation **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The maximum allowable team size is ten members, not including coaches and mentors.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">See the //FIRST LEGO League// //Coaches’ Handbook// for allowable ages.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At the tournament, only two team members at a time are allowed right up at the competition table except during repair emergencies.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The rest of the team must stay back from the table, but close enough for different members to tag in or out as desired at any time. Specific positioning is decided by the head officials running each tournament. <span style="display: none; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hide: all;">Top of Form <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * 2 - Parts**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Everything you compete with must be made of LEGO elements in original factory condition, except LEGO string and tubing, which you may cut to length. Exception: You can reference a paper list to keep track of programs.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There are no restrictions on the quantities or sources of non-electric LEGO elements, except that factory-made wind-up/pull-back “motors” are not allowed. Pneumatics are allowed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The electric elements used must be the LEGO MINDSTORMS type, and the total number of electric elements you may use in one match is limited as follows:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Example 1: If your robot has three motors, you may not have any other motor in the competition area, even if it’s only for weight or decoration; even if it’s in a box, off the field.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Example 2: If your robot has two motors, but you have multiple attachments to motorize, you must design a way to switch the 3rd motor from one attachment to the next.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">LEGO wires and converter cables are allowed as needed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Spare/alternate electrical parts are allowed in the pit area.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Computers are not allowed in the competition area.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Objects functioning as remote controls are not allowed anywhere.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Marker may be used for owner identification in hidden areas only.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Paint, tape, glue, oil, etc. are not allowed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Stickers are not allowed except LEGO stickers applied per LEGO instructions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You are not allowed to use more than one robot in a single match, but it’s okay to use a different robot in a different match.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If a robot is in violation - of this rule or the SOFTWARE rule - and cannot be corrected, the decision about exactly what to do rests with the head officials at the tournament, but that robot may not win awards.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">3 - Software **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Your robot must be programmed using LEGO MINDSTORMS, RoboLab, or NXT software (any release).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Patches, add-ons, and new versions of the allowable software from the manufacturers (LEGO and National Instruments) are allowed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Text-based and/or “outside” software is not allowed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The point of this rule is the same as that of the PARTS rule: Since we can’t ensure equal coaching for all teams, we at least limit this unfairness by capping the power of the tools.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">4 - Downloading And Wireless Signals **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Downloading programs to robots must take place in the pits only - never in the competition area.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Teams downloading to an RCX robot must make sure the process is shielded, that there are no other RCX robots in range, and robots should be turned off when not in use.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Teams downloading to an NXT robot must do so by cable. Bluetooth must be switched off at all times
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> 5 - Field **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The field is where the Robot Game takes place.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It consists of a field mat, on a table, with mission models arranged on top.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The field mat and the LEGO pieces for building the mission models are part of your Field Setup Kit.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The instructions for building the mission models are on a CD which comes in the same box as the LEGO pieces.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">All other field setup instructions are on the Field Setup page.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">6 - Base **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Base is a VOLUME. Base is not just an area on the mat.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Base is an imaginary box formed by vertical walls that rise from the perimeter of the Base area, including the inside surface of the border walls, and by an invisible ceiling 16 in (40 cm) high.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Base is where your robot is prepared and handled.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Base is where your robot always starts and restarts from.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Base is often a scoring target.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">7 - Variability **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As you build and program, keep in mind that our suppliers, donors, and volunteers make every effort to ensure that all fields are correct and identical, but you should always expect some variability, such as:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">flaws in the border walls.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">variety in lighting conditions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">texture/bumps under the mat.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waviness in the mat itself - at many tournaments, it is impossible for the mats to be rolled out in time to lose their waviness. Location and severity of waviness varies. You are being warned here. Consider this while designing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Two important building techniques you can use to limit the effects of variability are:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Avoid steering systems that involve something sliding on the mat.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Cover your light sensors from surrounding light.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Questions about conditions at a particular tournament should be asked of that event’s head officials.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">8 - Mission **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A mission is defined as a result or action worth points.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You decide the order you want to try missions in, and you don’t have to try them all.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You’re allowed to re-try them, but often it’s not possible.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">9 - Match **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At a tournament, two Robot Game fields are joined back to back, and you are paired opposite another team to compete in a match. Here’s the process:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You arrive at the competition table and have at least one minute to prepare your robot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The match starts and you start your robot. Once started, the robot is now “active” and is understood to be working on missions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The robot may get a lot done, or a little, but eventually you are likely to need/want to handle it. For example, it may become stuck, or you may want to add an attachment, or unload some cargo.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As soon as you touch it, no matter where it is or what it was doing, it is now “inactive” and must be carried to Base if it’s not already there.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">While the robot is in Base, you prepare it for its next active period, and restart it.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">These steps repeat (often with music, an announcer, and cheering in the background!), until the 2-1/2 minute match timer sounds (the timer never pauses during a match).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There are at least three matches at each tournament, and each one is a fresh chance for you to get your best score.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">No match has anything to do with another, and only your best score counts specifically toward the Robot Performance Award.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If it is known in advance that a team will not have another team opposite them, a volunteer or “house” team should substitute. If you compete against an empty table, you get the points for any interactive missions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">10 - Round **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The process of cycling all teams through one match each is called a round.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tournaments run at least three rounds.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Between your match in one round and the next, you usually have time to go to the pit area and work on your robot and its programs as needed, but this time may be limited, depending on the schedule of other proceedings
 * 11 - Robot **
 * 12 - Attachments **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">13 - Strategic Objects **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Strategic objects are defined as team-supplied objects which you or your robot may use as tools or aids.
 * **//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You //**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> may touch or use strategic objects *only in Base, but **//your robot//** may touch or use them anywhere.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">*Example: If you’re using a device to aim your robot, you need to either pull the device away or let go of it before your robot is allowed to start.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">14 - Mission Models **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Mission models are defined as the objects that are already on a competition field when you walk up to it.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may not bring duplicate mission models to the table if they could confuse scoring.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may not take mission models apart, even temporarily.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Mission models must be separated from your team-supplied objects quickly after the match.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Be very careful not to leave the competition area with that field’s mission models.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">15 - Housekeeping **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">After the referee (the “ref”) inspects everything you’ve brought to the competition area, you may store it in Base and/or in a box on a stand where you can get to it quickly while operating your robot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Team members other than the two at the table are not allowed to hold anything unless approved by the ref.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Nothing is allowed on the floor unless approved by the ref.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Mission models always need to stay in view of the ref.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In rare situations of crowding at Base, the ref allows you to store objects on the table away from Base, but only if it is obvious their placement is purely for storage.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">16 - Robot Preparation and Handling **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Before the match, and whenever else your robot is inactive, you are allowed to handle it and prepare it by hand for its next active period.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Typical preparations include repairs, switching attachments, loading and unloading objects, selecting programs, resetting features, and manipulating, arranging, and aiming the robot and any objects it will be moving or using.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This work should be done in or near Base to avoid messing up the field.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Once your robot and its objects are ready to start, the last thing you must do is to let go of it all.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">17 - Muscle Actions **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may not cause things to extend, leave, or be placed out of Base, even partially, except as described in the START PROCEDURE and HOUSEKEEPING RULES.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may not move or “adjust” anything outside of Base.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In Base, you are allowed to manipulate any objects that have reached Base, even to produce scoring conditions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may place objects completely in Base for an active robot to interact with, but only if you have obviously let go of them before your robot touches them.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As soon as your robot or anything it’s strategically controlling reaches Base, you may take it all (robot plus objects) into Base.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dropping something on your active robot is treated as an active robot touch.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">18 - Start Position **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For all starts beginning and during the match, every bit of your robot including its attachments and any objects it is about to move or use must fit completely in Base.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Nothing is allowed to be poking through the imaginary box.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Your robot is allowed, but not required, to touch objects it is about to move or use.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You must not be touching your robot or anything it is about to move or use.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Everything must be motionless.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">19 - Start Procedure **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When it’s obvious to the ref that starting position is correct…
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For the start of the match…
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The ref asks you if you’re ready, then signal your readiness to the announcer.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As the countdown starts, you reach in with one hand, ready to either touch a button, or signal a sensor, to start or resume your robot’s program.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When you hear the sound, you start your robot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For all other starts (restarts)…
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There’s no countdown. The ref sees that you’re ready, and you start your robot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may not handle your robot, or anything it’s about to move or use, during or after the countdown. If you do, the ref has you restart. The point of this rule is to ensure that your only influence on your robot is to get its program running.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The exact time to start is at the beginning of the last word in the countdown, such as “Ready, set, GO!”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If a different signal is used, the start is at the beginning of that signal.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">20 - Active Robot <> Inactive Robot **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At the moment your robot is started, it becomes “active” and remains so until the next time you touch it, or anything it is strategically controlling.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At the moment of that touch, the robot becomes inactive again, and must be carried to Base unless it’s already there. There may be additional **consequences.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The inactive robot in Base may then be handled/prepared and restarted.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">21 - Active Robot Touched COMPLETELY Out Of Base **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a “touch penalty object” is taken out of play if one is available, as described in the missions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">objects that were with the robot the last time it left Base go to Base, for scoring or continued use.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">objects that were not with the robot the last time it left Base are taken out of play (may not be used again).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">22 - Active Robot Touched In Base **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">there is no “touch penalty.”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">those objects are placed in Base for scoring or continued use.
 * 23 - Tethers/Leashes **
 * 24 - Loss Of Contact **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">25 - Stray Objects **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Objects //caused by any robot// to be in a non-scoring position may be taken out of play by the ref upon request, or by you if the ref is too far away to act in time. Objects “taken out of play” may not be used again.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Objects in their original “setup” positions are never considered stray.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Objects in scoring position are never considered stray.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">26 - Robot Damage **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You may do this by hand or request help from the ref.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Parts planned or designed to come off are strategic objects, and are covered under the LOSS OF CONTACT rule.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">27 - Field Damage **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Field damage is defined as:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">whenever a mission model is broken or malfunctioning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">whenever a Dual Lock connection is separated.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">any change to your field that is not caused by your robot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">any change to your field that is caused by an inactive robot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">any change to your field that violates a rule or Game Q&A ruling.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When field damage occurs, the ref is placed in the difficult position of having to recall the field’s condition right before the damage, and restore it to that condition.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Field damage too severe to reverse is left as is or swept away.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If scoring is in question after field damage that was mostly due to faulty model design, construction, or setup, you get the points.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If scoring is in question after field damage that was mostly due to your robot acting with too much force and/or not enough accuracy (messing up), you are more likely to get the a “benefit of the doubt” call, along with a warning, in Round 1 than in later rounds.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is not field damage and the field does not get restored when your robot simply does things you don’t like.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> 28 - Interference **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Your robot is not allowed to have any effect on the other team’s robot, field, or strategy, except by directly meeting the scoring requirements of missions in areas that are shared between the two sides by design of the Robot Game.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There is always at least one mission where you and the opposing team are set up to interact in some way, either competitively or cooperatively.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As a matter of luck, that team may be able to out perform you on that mission or may fail to cooperate with you there. This is not considered interference.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">29 - Final Field Condition **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To minimize controversy about what happened during a match, the score is determined at the end of the match, by the SNAPSHOT condition of the field at that EXACT time only.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This means that points are not given for results your robot gets but then trashes before the match ends.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This is also why actions that are not allowed (rule violations) are either stopped or reversed as they happen.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">30 - IN **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A is “in” area B if any bit of A is over area B.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Barely “in” is considered “in” unless the word “completely” is used.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Direct contact (touching) is not part of the definition of “in.”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Objects in a container are ruled on individually, and independent of their container.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Exception: Objects returning to Base with your robot are considered IN as soon as the robot reaches Base.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">31 - TOUCHING **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A is “touching” B only if A is making direct contact with B.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Any amount of direct contact counts as touching.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">32 - Benefit of the Doubt **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You get the benefit of the doubt when:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a split-second or the thickness of a (thin) line is a factor.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a situation could “go either way” due to confusing, conflicting, or missing information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">anyone other than the challenge designer claims to know the “intent” of a requirement or constraint.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If you (kids, not coach) disagree with the ref and can respectfully raise sufficient doubt in his/her mind, the ref meets with the head ref, and the resultant decision is final.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This rule is not an order for the refs to be lenient, but it is a license for them to make judgment calls in your favor when it’s reasonable to do so.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">33 - Precedence **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When there is conflict between pictures/videos and text, the text takes precedence.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When there is conflict between a mission and a rule, the mission takes precedence, but the current Game Q&A page on the web takes overall precedence. MAKE SURE TO CHECK BACK THERE OFTEN.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The head ref is not obligated to consider calls made at previous tournaments unless those calls have been added to the latest Game Q&A.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">34 - After The Match **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">No one is allowed to touch anything on the field yet…
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The ref first needs time to record the condition of the field, and come to agreement with you (kids) about what points were scored or missed and why (and to be sure you’re not walking away with any of that field’s mission models!). Data is marked on a sheet which you initial.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The scores are tallied by computer, with ties being broken using 2nd and then 3rd highest scores.
 * Summary Of Significant Content Changes For 2009 **

**Complete Game Q&A** With tournaments starting soon, it is time for me to share with all teams and referees, confirmation that the following stuff is allowed and/or scorable (there are no new interpretations here - all this comes from a solid knowledge of the missions and rules): ---The robot itself can count as a "transport device of your own design." ---Sensor walls can count as upright anywhere, including Base, and off the edges of the mat. ---Warning beacons in Base can be stood up by hand any time and count as upright there. ---Sitting/standing could be with respect to the vehicle OR the hoizon. Either is okay. ---A robot penetrating Base from the north should be treated no differently than one arriving from the east. As soon as it reaches, it can be picked up and taken into Base along with its cargo (if the robot and its attachments otherwise live up to the provisions in QA10 - all features, including the SIZE/LENGTH of the robot need to have an actual function other than being long and reaching Base). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">26 - MORE FIELD DAMAGE **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> QA22 was not a licence for you to trash the field. Obviously intentional field damage is never allowed. Where QA22 says you can expect a Benefit-Of-The-Doubt call, be sure you're familiar with the last part of Rule 32. There has to be at least be some DOUBT - If your robot has just broken or peeled up a yellow wall, for example: If the referee is SURE your strategy was one you knew could regularly break a properly prepared wall, and you either designed it that way or did nothing about it, you'll get this rare but serious "intentional field damage" call. The robot will be interrupted and need to restart, all field changes will be undone, and you could lose a beacon. If you're tempted to either ask about or try to defend your particular wall-wrecking strategy, you should probably skip that step and focus on the robot. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">25 - SETUP CALIBRATION **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Calibration of light sensors is allowed as part of your setup routine, and it's understood that this needs to be done outside Base. Don't go any farther out of Base than you need to, and don't touch anything but your robot. **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">24 - BROKEN LOOPS ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Regarding benefit-of-the-doubt calls for broken loops (as provided in QA22) - At the south wall, the referee needs to see a LIFTING attempt in order to doubt the loop or its setup. When a loop breaks after a tried/failed lift attempt, if the robot can get part of it to Base, it will score. Pulling on it sideways, back & forth, etc., until it snaps will be seen as intentional field damage, and any portion that reaches Base will be taken off the field (no score). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">23 - LOOP BONUSES **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The Missions page tells you that the gray loop bonus is independent from the red loop bonus. This means they have nothing to do with each other. This does not mean you can only earn one. You can earn both. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">22 - ROBOT AFTER FIELD DAMAGE **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Under Rule 27, the referee is supposed to restore the field to the condition it was in right before the damage. That would (unrealistically) include the robot. Unlike other objects in the field, the robot often continues moving, and may even make new changes before the referee gets to the scene. So these rulings are needed, mostly for referees: ---If the robot damages an access marker while driving over it or getting stuck on it, the team must immediately interrupt the robot, bring it to Base, and lose an upright beacon, if there is one available at that time. Any changes made by the robot after the damage will also be "undone." ---If the robot damages an access marker and either backs or turns successfully away from it, the referee will decide if the damage was obviously intentional. ---Loops and yellow guide walls are known to be fragile, and damage to these will always draw a "benefit of the doubt" call (robot won't be interrupted unless the team wants it). BUT...Don't count on them breaking - tournament organizers have permission to glue them. ---I'm officially not worried about the remaining models. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">21 - STRAY OBJECT SCOPE **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The scope of objects that could become stray includes loose, valueless objects (such as the black pillars) as well as loose valuable objects and startegic objects. However, if a Dual-Locked object gets separated from the mat, that's considered "Field Damage" and the referee will restore it (Rule 27). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">20 - NO DUAL LOCK ON ROBOT **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Where the Missions tell you "any constraint system is okay," for your crash-test figure aboard your robot, that doesn't mean you can ignore the Parts rule (Rule #2). "Everything you compete with must be made of LEGO elements..." (Dual Lock is not allowed). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">19 - TIE-BREAKING **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Sorry for rewording this again! In possible/rare cases this year when it's important to break a tie, but the usual tie-breaking comparisons are insufficient, some tournaments may pick a method using stopwatches, or they might hold head-to-head elimination matches. Still others may be able to give out multiple Performance Awards. These and other fair options are possible as decided locally by the people running each event. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">18 - OBJECTS AT REST **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Objects about to become "stray" (removable) are not actually stray until they come to rest. For example, the truck may NOT be interrupted by hand while it's moving. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">17 - STRAY OBJECT EXCEPTIONS - 2 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Since sensor walls could score while "upright" as well as "not upright," they could never be removed as stray objects under the original Rule 25. Yet teams are still writing in, wishing to have them removed. So this exception is being given: If a sensor wall has been moved, you may declare it stray, but once any wall is removed from the field, the referee will record the end-of-match condition of all walls to be "only one wall upright," no matter what the actual condition of the walls is. This reduces the max possible overall score you can get for walls to 10 points, so be sure the trade-off is worth it. This wording replaces previous wording from QA7. **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">16 - ROBOT CAN'T TOUCH MAT ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For end-of-match options where the robot's drive wheels are touching yellow or red bridge decking, the robot must not be touching the mat. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">15 - SEPARATED QUICKLY **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Please be sure that anything you add to mission models can be removed in about 15 seconds when the ref gives the okay after the match. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">14 - REWARDS **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The bridge is the most exciting and challenging model for climbing in the history of FLL. It was designed for pure risk-takers and fun-seekers. But if I valued it for what it's worth, point-chasers would attempt it as well. To see just how many teams would try the bridge without an obvious point-incentive, I assigned the same or less points for it than the target option. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">13 - DRIVE WHEEL(S) DEFINED **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Drive wheels/treads are those that would continue to move even after you pick your robot up. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">12 - ****<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">CRASH-TEST FIGURE **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The entire figure must be part of your robot (see Rule 11) from buzzer to buzzer. Rule 16 allows you to place/load the figure aboard the robot before the start. The figure can touch the mat, but it has to stay intact. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">11 - QA11 WAS NOT NEEDED ** <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">10 - EXTENDING TO BASE IS NOT REACHING BASE <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The 5th part of Rule 17 was offered as a friendly relief for robots which were engineered to return to Base, but needed a break upon entering, due to kid excitement or a bad angle. But in the face of growing over-interpretation of that rule change, you are informed here that the term "reaches Base" as used in Rules 17 and 30 shall only apply at the completion of an actual/obvious trip to Base. Extensions which drop, uncoil, shoot, telescope, etc., for the obvious purpose of avoiding the penalty for truly failing or not even trying to engineer a trip to Base will be treated like tethers, and not considered part of the robot. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">9 - PARKED **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Where the robot is required to be PARKED at the end of the match, it must be permanently stopped by the time the end-of-match signal starts. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">8 - ADDING TO MISSION MODELS ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Your hands can only operate in Base to add pieces to models. 2009 Rule Change A does not give you any new freedom to touch models outside Base. That would violate Rules 17 and 27. **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">7 - STRAY OBJECT EXCEPTIONS - 1 ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Exception to the third bullet in Rule 25: The truck when not in contact with the red beam may be considered stray. The red beam with no truck will still be worth points. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">6 - FIFTH WALL **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The wall on top of the columns is not upright. In fact, it's as far from upright as a wall can get. But that wall is still a wall, and at the end of the match, the referee will either record it as upright, or not upright. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">5 - TETHER ANCHOR **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Rule 23 applies whether or not there happens to be an anchor at the end of the tether. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">4 - DRIVE WHEEL(S) **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Where the plural form of "wheels or treads" causes you confusion, at least one wheel or tread will work. Re-re-stated: One or more will work. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">3 - COLOR SENSOR **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Since the "Color Sensor" contained in commercially available LEGO sets does not appear on the list of allowable electrical parts in Rule 2, it's not allowed, even if you were hoping to use it as a light sensor. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">2 - YELLOW "GUIDE" WALL PLACEMENT **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> We are seeing up to 1/4" (6mm) shortness in production mat length east/west when measured from mat center. Be aware of this while designing and programming. Also, this causes the yellow "Guide Wall" models to sometimes appear too long and not fit on their mat markings. Our consistent response to this shall be to fit the non-elbow end of each guide wall into the mark, and accept any imperfection at the elbow end. North/South dimensions are okay. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">1 - STUCK LOOPS **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The loops on axles on the south-most wall should be placed there gently and not pressed on. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">27 - SOME ALLOWABLE STRATEGIES **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * If the damage was obviously intentional, the robot will be interrupted as described above.
 * If the damage had any chance of being accidental, or due to a poor Dual Lock connection, the ref will simply fix the damage, and the robot will not be interrupted.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Challenge Questions and Answers **

[|Q: What if we go beyond 5 minutes?]

 * Q: What happens if my team goes past 5 minutes in giving their project presentation? **
 * A: **It depends somewhat on the judges and any tournament limitations. Judges may give a one minute warning, others may allow the team a few seconds to finish their presentation, or they might remind your team of the five minute time limit and suggest you finish as soon as you are able. In some cases, the tournament may need to keep a very strict time schedule and will end the presentation at five minutes. You must also understand that any presentations that exceed the allowed time will reduce the amount of time the judges have to ask questions, which could impact how well your team is able to talk about all the aspects of your project. Also, there are criteria in the Creative Presentation section of the rubric that are used to evaluate the length of your presentation. Presentations that are too long will be considered at the Fair level.

[|Q: Can Coaches help?]

 * Q: Can the Coach help the team setup their project presentation? **
 * A: ** As stated in the Coaches’ Handbook, teams should not need adult assistance and should be able to do it themselves. The team should plan a presentation that they are able to set up and break down on their own. The coach should refrain from helping the team setup their presentation if at all possible. There may be rare instances when a presentation prop or other item is too bulky or heavy for team members. In this instance, some tournaments may allow the coach to assist the team, or the tournament may provide volunteers to move the heavy/bulky item. However, it is important to check with your tournament organizer before your tournament to verify policy and judging procedures.

[|Q: Can space be our community?]
==== **Q: Can our team choose the International Space Station or Space as our community? A:** <span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Yes. It is up to your team to decide what you define as your community. Your community does not have to be the place in which your team lives. When we say your community we actually mean [...] ====

[|Q: Do viruses count?]

 * Q: Can FLL teams research the movement of viruses as their mode of transportation and create innovative solutions to stop the viruses from traveling or moving? **
 * A: **Yes. It seems a lot of teams are thinking about relevant issues happening in many communities all over the world. While the project specifically states that teams should choose one mode of transportation and a problem surrounding that mode of transportation with hopes of making it safer and more efficient, the unique idea of stopping the mode of transportation such as a virus is a noteworthy cause and we do want to allow the teams be able to find a solution to stop the spread or movement of a virus such as the H1N1. So, after consulting with many on the FLL team we have decided to allow this mode of transportation and wish the teams a lot of luck in finding the solution to helping stop the spread (or movement) of a virus of your choosing.

[|Email Addresses for Q&As]
If your team has questions on – 1. Read the [|Rules] and [|Missions] carefully. 2. If you can’t find the answer to your question, check the [|Game Q&A]. 3. After you’ve exhausted these resources, email your question to Scott Evans at flltech@usfirst.org. 1. Read The Project [|text] carefully. 2. If you can’t find the answer to your question, check the [|Project Q&A]. 2. After you’ve exhausted these resources, email Dana Chism at fllprojects@usfirst.org. 1. Check the [|Judging Q&A]. 1. Then email Skip Gridley, our Global Judge Advisor, at flljudge@usfirst.org. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * The Robot Game **
 * The Project **
 * Judging **