Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2026-2027: Override
3255: Match loading clarification of Q&A 3205, SG11, GG4, and S1
GG4 states: a. Drive Team Members are allowed to reach into the Field during the Match while introducing Match Loads as described in rule <SG11>. Rule <S1> applies.
Q&A 3205 clarified that SG11 provides an exception to GG4 and allows teams to reach into the field to place a match “down inside the Loader”, to clarify that reaching into the Loader itself is legal.
The question is, how far can a loader reach into and through the Loader and still be “inside the Loader”?
Example photos are attached to show degrees of reach in match loading.
The first photo appears to be clearly “down inside the Loader”, and the fourth photo appears clearly not okay because the match load is outside the load zone. However, photos 2 and 3 show a match load where the hand leaves through the bottom of the loader and turns to reach outside of the Loader to place the match load. This seems inconsistent with GG4, keeping hands out of the field, and S1, be safe.
Appreciate any clarification on whether reaching out through the bottom of the Loader, as shown in photos 2 and 3, is still considered legally "inside the loader".
In the October 8 game manual update, <SG11> will be revised to include new guidance on this issue. When introducing Match Loads to the Field through Loaders, Drive Team Members should never extend any part of their body beyond the bottom edge of the Loader plastic.
Per this new guidance, all four of your example photos represent an unsafe and illegal Loading method since the Drive Team Member's hand extends beyond the bottom edge of the Loader plastic.