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

We reviewed Q&A 2744 regarding trapping near a Long Goal. Our question adds a scenario where the trapped robot is actively attempting to descore. Does this intent affect the Holding count or legality of prolonged immobilization?

Trapping (Game Manual 2.1) - 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.

GG17: A Robot may not Hold an opposing Robot for more than a 3-count during the Driver Controlled Period. The count begins immediately once the Head Referee observes a suspected Holding interaction.

Rule <GG17>

Q&A 2744: Clarified that if two Robots work together to trap an opponent between the Field Perimeter and a Long Goal, the Holding count and subsequent violation apply if the count exceeds three.

(https://events.vex.com/V5RC/2025-2026/QA/2744)

Does this change under the scenario below?

Scenario

• A Blue Robot is positioned behind a Long Goal filled with Red Blocks.
• The Blue Robot deploys a mechanism to legally descore blocks.
• Two Red Robots “sandwich” the Blue Robot so it cannot move in any direction, preventing descoring.
• The Blue Robot actively attempts to escape but cannot move.

Question:

• Does the Blue Robot’s intent to descore change whether a Holding count should start?
• If not, would the two Red Robots be allowed to keep the Blue Robot from moving for the remainder of the match if strategically advantageous?

Figure: Blue Robot attempting to descore is trapped between two Red Robots and the Field Perimeter