Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2026-2027: Override

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3170: SG4(a) - Clarification on removal of deflected game objects


Anissh Guruprasad (Event Partner)
23-Jun-2026

<SG4>

When preparing to referee/score-keep a scrimmage recently, I came across a particular scenario regarding clause A of <SG4>. The first sentence of Clause A states:

If a Scoring Object is leaving the Field (as determined by the Head Referee), but is deflected back into the Field by a Drive Team Member, field monitor, ceiling/wall, or other external factor, it should still be considered "out of the Field" and removed by a Scorekeeper Referee or Head Referee.

My question regarding this clause is if the game element in question does indeed leave the field, as determined by the Head Referee, and is deflected back into the field via an external factor, but comes to rest in a hard to reach area such as close to or within the midfield (emphasis mine):

A) Are the Scorekeepers or Head Referee still expected to reach into the field during a match to attempt to remove the game element and reintroduce it back as described in main body of <SG4>?

B) If Yes to A, then how would this be applied to raised fields where mobility to reach into the field is already extremely limited to roughly the first tile or two from the perimeter wall?

C) If No to A, since the objective of the game does not involve any form of tossing or launching of the game elements, would this be left as a Minor/Major Violation ruling based on the listed violation notes and/or a violation of <GG4>, Hands out of the Field, as listed in the latter sentence of Clause A?

I would appreciate the GDCs clarification in proceeding given such a scenario. Thank you!

Answered by committee
2-Jul-2026

Note: In version 1.0 of the game manual, <SG4> has been updated such that Scoring Objects that have been deflected back into the Field are no longer considered "out of the Field."

A) No. There is no need to remove these Scoring Objects since they are no longer considered "out of the Field."

B) N/A

C) In the event a Scoring Object is leaving the Field but gets deflected back into the Field by a Drive Team Member, it would most likely be considered incidental contact and would not result in a <GG4> Violation. It would only result in a <GG4> Violation if the contact was deemed to be intentional.