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

Per V2.0 of the Game Manual:

Holding - A Robot status; see rule <GG17> for more information. Holding is legal until it exceeds the limits in <GG17>. A Robot is considered to be Holding if it meets any of the following criteria during a Match:

Trapping - Limiting the movement of an opponent Robot to a small or confined area of the Field, approximately the size of one foam field tile or less, without an avenue for escape. Note that if a Robot is not attempting to escape, it is not considered Trapped.

Pinning - Preventing the movement of an opponent Robot through contact with the Field Perimeter, a Field Element, or another Robot.

Lifting - Controlling an opponent’s movements by raising or tilting the opponent’s Robot off of the foam tiles. Preventing a Robot that is already off of the Floor from returning to the Floor may also be considered Lifting or Trapping.

<GG17> No Holding for more than a 3-count. A Robot may not Hold an opposing Robot for more than a 3-count during the Driver Controlled Period. For the purposes of this rule, a “count” is defined as an interval of time that is approximately one second in duration, and “counted out” by Head Referees verbally. A Head Referee should begin a Holding count immediately when Holding is observed. The Holding count should pause when at least one of the following conditions is met:

a. The two Robots are separated by at least two (2) feet (approximately one foam tile).

b. Either Robot has moved at least two (2) feet away (approximately one tile) from the location where the Trapping or Pinning count began.

• i. In the case of Lifting, this location is measured from where the Lifted Robot is released, not from where the Lifting began.*

c. The Holding Robot becomes Trapped or Pinned by a different Robot.

• i. In this case, the original count would end, and a new count would begin for the newly Trapped or Pinned Robot.*

d. In the case of Trapping, if an avenue of escape becomes available due to changing circumstances in the Match.

After a Holding count ends, a Robot may not resume Holding the same Robot again for a 5-count. If a Team resumes Holding the same Robot within that 5-count, the original Holding count will resume from where it ended. A Head Referee should use fingers to display the 5-count that occurs after the end of a Holding count, and “wave it off” after the Holding interaction has been cleared.

According to <GG17> "A Head Referee should begin a Holding count immediately when Holding is observed."

There are two ways this could be interpreted:

1. As soon as the Head Referee verifies that the robot in question meets the status as outlined in the definition of Holding, then the count should begin. (This would take about 2 seconds depending on the situation)
2. As soon as the Head Referee observes two robots in close proximity to the point where it may be considered Holding, a count should begin, with the verification happening afterwards. (Could be an issue with the limit of a 3-count instead of 5-count)

What is the GDC's stance on this interpretation?

Thank you, Cowboy