The intent of this rule is to provide the Head REFEREES the flexibility necessary to keep the event running smoothly, as well as keep the safety of all the participants as the highest priority. Behaviors that put the FIRST community or integrity of the game at risk are not allowed and are violations of this rule. Those behaviors include, but are not limited to the list below:

A.      inappropriate behavior as outlined in the blue box of G201,

B.      jumping over the guardrail,

C.      pushing past the FIELD reset person blocking an open gate to get on the FIELD,

D.      reaching into the FIELD and grabbing a ROBOT during a MATCH,

E.      PINNING in excess of 15 seconds,

F.      exploiting the 3-second window after a MATCH described in section 6.5 Scoring to avoid rule violations (e.g. triggering an over-extension that enables CAGE points or using a ROBOT’S residual energy to impact an opponent ROBOT on their BARGE),

G.     triggering scoring sensors or otherwise interfering with FMS or FIELD operation,

H.     climbing on the BARGE, and

I.        throwing an ALGAE directly at an opponent ROBOT

J.      deliberately, running an AUTO to disrupt the opponent ALLIANCE’S CAGES.

K.      deliberately, trying to disrupt multiple opponent ALLIANCE’S CAGES during TELEOP.

The Head REFEREE may assign a YELLOW or RED CARD for a single instance of a rule violation such as the examples given in items above, or for multiple instances of any single rule violation. Teams should be aware that any rule in this manual could escalate to a YELLOW or RED CARD. The Head REFEREE has final authority on all rules and violations at an event.