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Official Q&A: VEX IQ Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Mix & Match
3111: <SG6> clarifications; there are four points of clarification.
<SG6><SC6><SG6> clarifications; there are four points listed here that we are looking for clarification on.
Sometimes when loading a pin, the loader places it in the load zone but then when they release the pin, it shifts away from the beam. This would be considered an improper load. <SG6> b
- We want to make sure we are informing our students the proper way they should delt with this situation.
It is our thought that the loader should say “Misload” then retrieve the pin and reload it. As per <SG6> f
Our concern is that a ref may think they are in violation of <SG6> e
Our students work hard to try to make sure this does not happen, but accidents are inevitable.
Can the community provide guidance as to what the team loader should do when this situation happens?
- What should happen if it is loaded as above and before the loader can retrieve the pin a robot takes possession of it.
Should it…
A) Sill be retrieved and reloaded; if so, can the loader retrieve it directly from the robot.
B) Just be released by robot, left unconnected, and not touching a robot at end. This way, making it not score affecting; as to avoid a possible major violation.
C) Other; please clarify the proper actions the team/loader should take.
2a) Is there any “point of no return” where a loader can no longer retrieve an improperly loaded pin? If so, what is the point beyond which it can no longer be retrieved and reloaded?
- What is the proper way our refs should deal with a misload during an event.
A) Instruct the loader to retrieve and reload it? If so, would it matter if the robot had already interacted with the improperly loaded pin?
B) Warn the team is an improper load and just keep track of the pin until the end of the match then follow the guidelines provided in the game manual to determine what type of violation it is.
C) Just keep track of the pin until the end of the match, then follow the guidelines provided in the game manual to determine what type of violation it is.
D) Other; please clarify the proper actions the Ref should take.
- What does “retrieve” mean; Simply lift the pin so it is not contacting anything but the loaders hand or does the pin need to clear the field perimeter before being reloaded properly.
Once a Scoring Object has been Loaded, it should only be retrieved by the Loader if the Head Referee instructs the Loader to do so.
When a Head Referee sees that a Scoring Object has been introduced improperly, they should immediately instruct the Loader to remove the Scoring Object from the Field. It can then be reintroduced as described in rule <SG6>.
If the improperly Loaded Scoring Object has already been picked up by a Robot, in order to avoid a Major Violation the Driver must avoid scoring points with it. The Head Referee may instruct the Team to eject and retrieve the Scoring Object, or the Team may be allowed to retrieve the Robot and remove all Scoring Objects in the Robot's Possession as outlined in rule <GG10>.