Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back

<SG4> states, in part (emphasis mine):

Teams may not intentionally or strategically remove Blocks from the Field. A Block that leaves the field during Match play, intentionally or unintentionally, will be given to a Drive Team Member from the same color Alliance as the Block and may be used as a Match Load in accordance with SG9. Violation Note 1: After a Team’s third Match with any Violation of this rule (either Major or Minor), all subsequent Violations of this rule will immediately escalate to a Major Violation. Violation Note 2: Any Team that removes three (3) or more Blocks from the Field in a single Match will receive a Major Violation.

Scenario: A Robot is attempting to remove Blocks from a full Loader with 6 Blocks in it. As the Robot extends into the Loader to retrieve Blocks, one or more of the Blocks near the top of the Loader pop up and fall out of the Field. An example of this scenario occurs at approximately 2:38:35 of this video at the bottom-left Loader of the screen: https://www.youtube.com/live/tgUlpMw_tzA?si=Z5zzyf_2M77x6t07

Which, if any, of the following outcomes would be appropriate for this scenario with respect to SG4 Violation Note 1?

• Since the Robot is attempting to retrieve Blocks from the bottom of the Loader, the Blocks exiting the top of the Loader out of the Field is an unintentional action. Since the first sentence of SG4 prohibits intentional or strategic Block removal, this scenario should not result in a Major or Minor Violation counted towards the 3 Matches before a Major Violation.
• The actions of the Robot caused the Block to exit the Field, so this action should be considered intentional and result in a Minor Violation that counts towards the 3 Matches before a Major Violation.
• Would some other scenario apply? Would the color of the Robot and the Block being removed matter? SG4 does not specify Block color, so I would assume no, but would appreciate confirmation.

Which, if any, of the following outcomes would be appropriate for this scenario with respect to SG4 Violation Note 2?

• If the Block is ruled to be unintentionally leaving the field, the Block should not count towards one of the 3 in a Match before a Major Violation is issued.
• Violation Note 2 does not differentiate between intentional and unintentional removal of Blocks from the Field, so any Block removed in a Match should count towards the 3 that would result in a Major Violation.
• Would some other scenario apply? Would the color of the Robot and the Block being removed matter?

Thank you for your time!