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G416      Don’t choke up on the chain. A ROBOT may not reduce the working length of chain. Incidental actions such as minor twisting due to ROBOT imbalance or ROBOT-to-ROBOT interaction are not considered violations of this rule.

Violation: 2 TECH FOULS and, at the discretion of the Head REFEREE, must be re-inspected.

The intent of this rule is to present the chain as a dynamic version of a rigid bar, and the rule is intended to limit ROBOTS to interaction with the chain as if it were a bar, i.e. engaging via 1 or more contact points and pushing down on the chain to raise the ROBOT.

Implementations that increase the length of chain between 2 outer ROBOT contact points are reducing the working length of the chain and prohibited. An example includes using opposing MECHANISMS to absorb chain slack, as illustrated in Figure 7‑6.

Figure 7‑6 Example of reducing the working length of chain

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7.4.4      Opponent Interaction

Note, G417, G418, and G419 are mutually exclusive. A single ROBOT to ROBOT interaction which violates more than 1 of these rules results in the most punitive penalty, and only the most punitive penalty, being assessed.

Similar Rules

Rule R106
R106      ROBOTS can’t choke up on chain. ROBOTS may not have MECHANISMS (or a combination of MECHANSIMS) designed to reduce the working length of the STAGE chain.
Rule G419
G419      *Don’t tip or entangle. A ROBOT may not deliberately, as perceived by a REFEREE, attach to, tip, or entangle with an opponent ROBOT.
Rule G415
G415      Watch your ARENA interaction. With the exception of GAME PIECES, addressed by G410, a ROBOT may not damage an ARENA element. A ROBOT is prohibited from the following interactions with an ARENA element, except chain (see G416) and a GAME PIECE (see Section 7.4.2 GAME PIECES).
Rule G413
G413      Expansion limits. A ROBOT may not expand beyond either of the following limits:  
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