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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2977: <GG3> "Promptly" in finals and <GG7> Timeouts
Hello GDC
At a recent event, a team called a timeout between the Last Semifinal and first Grand Final and was given the defined 3 min time out. The team barley made it to the field in time to play but ultimately completed their necessary repairs and where ready to go. Under <GG3>b. 3 minutes for a to team to be ready for a back to back match could be seen as enough "promptness" and thus not needed a timeout call at all. Thus calling a timeout could be actually worse for the team in this situation.
*These questions are more for looking guidance for running of elimination matches in context to the rules to ensure fair use of timeouts such to avoid teams inadvertently reducing their available time between matches.
Q1a) In a normal elimination format, if a team must play a back to back match, what would/could be a minimum/reasonable time to qualify as prompt? (considering the team might need to remove their robot, compress air, change battery, place on field, align, calibrate sensors and inspect their robots for breakage's.
Q1b) Could the match cycle time used for the Qual matches be a suitable benchmark/minimum?
Q2) In context to timeouts, if a team calls a timeout in a back to back match situation. can the 3 min be added to a standard "reasonable amount of time" to avoid a team inadvertently giving themselves less time. (this question is to try and avoid a team intentionally waiting to use their timeout to the maximum amount of time vs a team calling for it immediately following a match knowing that they need the extra time to fix a break etc.)
We cannot provide a blanket answer that will apply to all events and event levels in all regions. These decisions must be made by the Event Partner and other event staff based on the full context of the event.
However, absent any other case-by-case context or extenuating circumstances, we can provide some general guidance.
Q1a) In Elimination Matches, we suggest that Teams be given a few warnings and "time calls" before each Match begins. Many events provide notifications approximately 2 minutes, 1 minute, and 15 seconds before the Head Referee intends to start the Match. If additional time is needed beyond these notifications, the Alliance should use their Time Out or their Robot should be removed from the Field for the Match under <GG3>.
Q1b) We suggest that any Team that will play in back-to-back Elimination Matches be given 3-5 minutes between those Matches without needing to call a Time Out. This break is unnecessary between most Elimination Matches in the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, and Semi-Finals rounds.
Q2) We suggest that if a predetermined break will occur between Elimination Matches, any Time Out requests made during that break be postponed/denied until at or near the end of the break. If at the end of a break the Alliance still needs to use their Time Out, it could begin then.