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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2984: Incidental Contact with Blocks on the Autonomous Line
<SG7> Don’t cross the Autonomous Line, and don’t interfere with your opponents’ actions. During the Autonomous Period, Robots may not contact foam tiles, Blocks, or Field Elements which are on the opposing Alliance’s side of the Autonomous Line. <R8> Engage with the Autonomous Line at your own risk. Any Robot who engages with Blocks that begin the Match on the Autonomous Line should be aware that opponent Robots may also choose to do the same. Per <GG12> and <GG13>, Teams are responsible for the actions of their Robots at all times.
We have seen different ways of ruling contact of blocks during the autonomous period and would like further clarification. Below are three scenarios and accompanying videos to clarify the rule.
Scenario 1: A blue alliance's robot, during autonomous, intakes scoring elements in contact with the autonomous line under the long goals, and on their side of the autonomous line. The blue alliance lightly contacts the blocks of the red alliance on the autonomous line, No other violations occur. Scenario 1 Video
Scenario 2: A blue alliance's robot, during autonomous, intakes scoring elements in contact with the autonomous line under the long goals, and on their side of the autonomous line. The blue alliance strikes contacts the blocks of the red alliance on the autonomous line, knocking the blocks well away from their starting position, No blocks contact red robots or other blocks. No other violations occur. Scenario 2 Video
Scenario 3: A blue alliance's robot, during autonomous, intakes scoring elements in contact with the autonomous line under the long goals, and on their side of the autonomous line. The blue alliance use a match loading mechanism to gather the blue blocks, but lightly contacts the blocks of the red alliance on the autonomous line, No other violations occur. Scenario 3 Video
How should a referee rule in each of these instances. Thank you for your time, we look forward to your response.
<SG7> d. Blocks that begin the Match in contact with the Autonomous Line are not considered to be on either side, and may be utilized by either Alliance during the Autonomous Period. For the purpose of this rule, all eight Blocks that begin the Match in groups that cross the Autonomous Line are considered to be in contact with the Autonomous Line. See Figure SG-7.
There are no <SG7> Violations in your scenarios, assuming the Robot never contacts the foam tiles on the opposing Alliance's side of the Autonomous Line. The four Blocks (two blue & two red) involved in your scenarios are all considered to be in contact with the Autonomous Line per <SG7> clause D, and may be utilized by either Alliance during the Autonomous Period.