6.3        Setup

Before each MATCH begins, FIELD STAFF stage SCORING ELEMENTS as described in section 6.3.4 SCORING ELEMENTS. DRIVE TEAMS stage their ROBOTS (as described in section 6.3.3 ROBOTS) and OPERATOR CONSOLES (as described in section 6.3.2 OPERATOR CONSOLES). Then, DRIVE TEAMS take their places as described in section 6.3.1 DRIVE TEAMS.

6.3.1       DRIVE TEAMS

DRIVE TEAMS prepare for a MATCH by staging in the appropriate areas, according to their role on the DRIVE TEAM, and by identifying themselves accordingly. DRIVE TEAM starting conditions are listed below, and a DRIVE TEAM obstructing or delaying any of the conditions is at risk of violating G301.

A.      only DRIVE TEAM members assigned to the upcoming MATCH are present,

B.      For QUALIFICATION and PLAYOFF MATCHES only DRIVE TEAM members whose ROBOTS have passed initial, complete Inspection are present,

C.      1 HUMAN PLAYER must be staged in their PROCESSOR AREA,

D.      any number of HUMAN PLAYERS are staged in their CORAL STATION AREAS,

E.      HUMAN PLAYERS not included in C or D, DRIVERS, and COACHES are in their ALLIANCE AREA and behind the HUMAN STARTING LINE,

F.      TECHNICIANS are in the event-designated area near the FIELD,

G.     DRIVE TEAM members clearly display their designated buttons above their waists (COACH - “Coach”, DRIVERS and HUMAN PLAYERS - “Drive Team”, and TECHNICIAN - “Technician”), and

H.     if a Playoff MATCH, the ALLIANCE CAPTAIN clearly displays their designated ALLIANCE CAPTAIN identifier (e.g. hat or armband).

6.3.2       OPERATOR CONSOLES

DRIVE TEAMS set up their OPERATOR CONSOLE as soon as the DRIVE TEAM from the previous MATCH has cleared the area. OPERATOR CONSOLES must be compliant with all relevant rules, specifically those in section 8.9 OPERATOR CONSOLE. The OPERATOR CONSOLE is plugged into the team’s assigned DRIVER STATION, as indicated on the team sign. Any control devices worn or held by their HUMAN PLAYERS and/or DRIVERS during the MATCH must be disconnected from or set on or beside the OPERATOR CONSOLE before the MATCH can begin. A DRIVE TEAM obstructing or delaying OPERATOR CONSOLE setup is at risk of violating G301.

6.3.3       ROBOTS

DRIVE TEAMS stage their ROBOT in accordance with G303. A DRIVE TEAM obstructing or delaying ROBOT setup requirements is at risk of violating G301.

If order of placement matters to either or both ALLIANCES, the ALLIANCE notifies the Head REFEREE during setup for that MATCH, and the Head REFEREE instructs ALLIANCES to alternate placement of ROBOTS. In a Qualification MATCH, REFEREE instructions are that ROBOTS are placed in the following order:

1.      red DRIVER STATION 1 ROBOT

2.      blue DRIVER STATION 1 ROBOT

3.      red DRIVER STATION 2 ROBOT

4.      blue DRIVER STATION 2 ROBOT

5.      red DRIVER STATION 3 ROBOT

6.      blue DRIVER STATION 3 ROBOT

In an intra-Division Playoff MATCH, the same pattern is applied, but instead of blue ALLIANCE placing last, the higher seeded ALLIANCE (regardless of color) places last. For inter-Division Playoff MATCHES, the ALLIANCE that places last is determined by a (real or virtual) coin flip facilitated by the Head REFEREE where a “heads” result invites the red ALLIANCE to place last.

6.3.4       SCORING ELEMENTS

Before each MATCH begins, FIELD STAFF stage SCORING ELEMENTS.

Figure 6‑2 CORAL MARK locations and SCORING ELEMENT staging positions

126 CORAL are staged for each MATCH as follows (reference Figure 6‑2):

A.      1 CORAL is staged on each CORAL MARK (6 total, CORAL are staged such that each CORAL covers the opposite ends of each CORAL MARK),

B.      1 CORAL may be preloaded in each ROBOT by the ROBOT’S DRIVE TEAM, such that the CORAL is fully supported by the ROBOT (up to 6 total, a CORAL not pre-loaded in a ROBOT is staged with CORAL in the corresponding ALLIANCE AREA), and

C.      remaining CORAL are split evenly behind each CORAL STATION (57 to 60 per ALLIANCE, depending on how many are preloaded in ROBOTS).

18 ALGAE are staged for each MATCH as follows (reference Figure 6‑2):

A.      6 ALGAE are staged on pairs of BRANCHES as shown in Figure 6‑3 (12 total) such that they are placed lightly onto the REEF, and

B.      1 ALGAE is placed on top of each CORAL staged on a CORAL MARK (6 total).

Staged ALGAE will not contact CORAL placed on L4.

Figure 6‑3 Staging positions for ALGAE on a REEF

6.3.5       CAGES

Each team can choose the height of the CAGE closest to their driver station. By default, all CAGES are left in the state from the last match. At the start of each day, all CAGES are set as deep CAGES. If a team would like to alter the CAGE height they must alert the FIELD STAFF during reset. Each team informs FIELD STAFF of their preference for their corresponding CAGE height.

Figure 6‑4 CAGE positions corresponding to DRIVER STATIONS