Event volunteers communicate schedule delays with teams to the best of their ability. The Pit Display (which is typically located near the Pit Administration desk) shows any event timing delay. Announcements on the FIELD and in the pits also provide information on delays, and any team uncertain of when to queue for a MATCH should communicate with queuing volunteers.

During Qualification MATCHES, the expected start time of the MATCH is the time indicated on the MATCH schedule or the cycle time for current round minus 3 minutes from the end of the previous MATCH (which is reflected on the schedule on the Pit Display), whichever is later.

During Playoff MATCHES, the expected start time of the MATCH is the time indicated on the MATCH schedule or 15 minutes from either ALLIANCE’S previous MATCH, whichever is later.

Teams that have violated G208 or have 1 DRIVE TEAM member present and have informed event staff that their ROBOT will not be participating in the MATCH are considered MATCH ready and not in violation of this rule.

The intent of this rule is to provide an equitable amount of time for both ALLIANCES to prepare for each MATCH and give DRIVE TEAMS grace given extenuating circumstances that cause them to be late.

Once a verbal warning/TECH FOUL is issued, the Head REFEREE starts a 2-minute timer and makes a good faith effort to share the timer’s status with the delaying DRIVE TEAM.

Being “MATCH ready” requires that the ROBOT is on the FIELD, in its STARTING CONFIGURATION, and turned on. Additionally, the DRIVE TEAM members must be in their starting positions.

In general, good faith efforts to quickly become MATCH ready are entirely for the purposes of transitioning the ROBOT into a MATCH ready state (i.e. not attempts to significantly alter a ROBOT’s capabilities.) Examples of good faith efforts to quickly become MATCH ready include but are not limited to:

A.     walking safely towards the FIELD with a ROBOT that a team is not actively modifying,

B.     applying quick fixes such as tape or cable ties to make the ROBOT compliant with STARTING CONFIGURATION requirements,

C.     waiting for an OPERATOR CONSOLE computer to boot, and

D.     working with FIELD STAFF to get the ROBOT connected to the FIELD.

Examples that are not considered good faith efforts to quickly become MATCH ready include but are not limited to:

E.     a ROBOT not moving to the FIELD,

F.     a ROBOT moving to the FIELD but being actively modified while doing so,

G.     a DRIVE TEAM member remaining on the FIELD once a MATCH is ready to begin (indicated by the green LEDs having turned off),

H.    installing BUMPERS, charging pneumatic systems, or any other ROBOT maintenance not considered a quick fix as described in item B above once on the FIELD,

I.       time-consuming use of alignment devices that are external to the ROBOT (e.g. a DRIVE TEAM could bring and use a measuring tape, as long as there is no delay to the MATCH by doing so), and

J.     repairs more substantial than those described in B.

There are no rules that prohibit use of hand tools (including battery operated tools) while setting up ROBOTS from the FIELD, provided they do not cause significant delay or cause safety concerns.