<RSC5>

Handling Robots during an Autonomous Coding Skills Match. A Team may handle their Robot as many times as desired during an Autonomous Coding Skills Match.
• Upon handling the Robot, it must be immediately brought back to a legal starting position. The Robot does not get a new Preload Pin during this reset. Drive Team Members may reset or adjust the Robot as desired from this position, including pressing buttons on the Robot Brain or activating sensors. Any Scoring Objects being controlled by the Robot while being handled must be removed from the Field, and can be reintroduced by a Loader in accordance with <SG6> and <RSC4>. In the context of this rule, “controlled” implies that the Robot was manipulating the Scoring Object, and not simply touching it. For example, if the Scoring Object would move with the Robot either vertically or while turning, then the Robot is “controlling” that Scoring Object. No other Scoring Objects should be moved or adjusted. As described in rule <S1>, Students cannot step into the Field at any time during a Match. If the Drive Team Members cannot reach the Robot due to the Robot being in the center of the Field, they may ask the Head Referee to pick up the Robot and hand it to the Drive Team Members for placement according to the conditions above.
• During an Autonomous Coding Skills Match, Drivers may move freely around the Field, and are not restricted to the Driver Station when not handling their Robot. The rest of <GG1>, which states that Drive Team Members are not allowed to use any communication devices during their Match, still applies. An intent of this exception is to permit Drivers who wish to “stage” Robot handling during an Autonomous Coding Skills Match to do so without excessive running back and forth to the Driver Station.

This rule is an explicit exception to rules <GG4> and the Violation Note for <GG10>, and may be used as part of a Team’s strategy for Autonomous Coding Skills Matches. Driving Skills Matches are still governed by <GG4> & the Violation Note for <GG10>, especially for strategic Violations.

Significant Q&As:
• Q&A 2883 - If a Pin is accidentally knocked off of a Starting Pin Support during a legal Robot reset, a Head Referee should put it back
• Q&A 2974 - Alignment aids are prohibited during Robot resets

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