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 MATCHES only DRIVE TEAM members whose ROBOTS have passed initial, complete Inspection are present,

C.      any number of HUMAN PLAYERS are staged in their OUTPOST AREAS,

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

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

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

G.     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 SCORING ELEMENT staging positions

 

 

504 FUEL are staged for each MATCH as follows (reference Figure 6‑2):

A.      24 FUEL are staged in each DEPOT (FUEL may not be in a uniform layout),

B.      24 FUEL are staged in each OUTPOST CHUTE,

C.      8 FUEL may be preloaded in each ROBOT by the ROBOT’S DRIVE TEAM, such that each FUEL is fully supported by the ROBOT (up to 48 total; a FUEL not pre-loaded in a ROBOT is staged in the NEUTRAL ZONE), and

D.      remaining FUEL are arranged in the NEUTRAL ZONE through a process listed in Section 6.3.4.1 (360 to 408, depending on how many are preloaded in ROBOTS).

For District Championship and/or FIRST Championship events, the quantity of FUEL staged in a MATCH may increase up to 600. If this happens, the additional FUEL will be included as part of an updated FUEL arrangement in the NEUTRAL ZONE.

The NEUTRAL ZONE is staged by the FIELD crew by corralling all FUEL within a bounding box that is approximately 206.0in (5.23m) wide and 72.0in (1.83m) deep. The bounding box has a solid divider in the middle that is 2.0in (5.08cm) wide that will result in a small gap in FUEL. The dividers will be removed prior to the start of the MATCH.

 Figure 6‑3 NEUTRAL ZONE FUEL setup

The expected result of the dispersal is a roughly equal split of FUEL on both sides of the CENTER LINE. The dispersal between the scoring table side and non-scoring table side of the field is expected to vary match to match.