<SG6>
Using the Load Zone. Scoring Objects may be Loaded through the Load Zone during the Match, and must meet all of the following criteria.• Red and blue Pins may only be Loaded into the Load Zone that matches the color of that Pin. Beams and/or orange Pins that leave the Field during a Match may be reintroduced at either Load Zone as described in rule <SG4>.
• The Scoring Object must be placed in contact with the VEX IQ beam attached to the Floor.
• The Loader may only put a Scoring Object into a Load Zone if no other Scoring Objects are in contact with that Load Zone.
• A Robot may not contact a Scoring Object in the Load Zone if that Scoring Object is being contacted by a human.
• Once a Scoring Object is Placed into a Load Zone and released, it may no longer be contacted by a Loader.
• If a Scoring Object is introduced improperly (e.g., while another Scoring Object is in contact with the Load Zone), it must be retrieved by the Loader and reintroduced.
• A Loaded Pin or Beam must be placed in a stationary position, and must remain in contact with the VEX IQ beam after it is released by the Loader until it is contacted by a Robot or another Scoring Object that is being manipulated by a Robot.
• Pins that begin the Match outside the Field cannot break the plane of the Field Perimeter until the Match begins. Note: Although it is not required, Robots are highly recommended to remain some distance away from the Scoring Object until the Loader’s hand has clearly been removed. This will make clauses d & e abundantly clear to Head Referees.
Violation Notes:
• Teams are responsible for their own actions. Violations that involve a Loader and Robot from opposite Teams will be given to both Teams.
• It is expected that most Violations of this rule will be accidental. In accidental cases that end up being Score Affecting (i.e., an illegally-Loaded Scoring Object is Connected to another Scoring Object), the first occurrence during a Qualification Match may be treated as a Minor Violation and a “final notice” that any future Violation will result in Disqualification for the Match.
• Any Score Affecting Violation during a Finals Match (accidental and intentional) must be treated as a Major Violation.
• Repeated, intentional, or egregious Violations may escalate to a Major Violation at the Head Referee’s discretion. One example of an egregious Violation would be placing a Scoring Object directly onto a Robot without ever contacting the Load Zone.
• Teams are responsible for their own actions. Violations that involve a Loader and Robot from opposite Teams will be given to both Teams.
• It is expected that most Violations of this rule will be accidental. In accidental cases that end up being Score Affecting (i.e., an illegally-Loaded Scoring Object is Connected to another Scoring Object), the first occurrence during a Qualification Match may be treated as a Minor Violation and a “final notice” that any future Violation will result in Disqualification for the Match.
• Any Score Affecting Violation during a Finals Match (accidental and intentional) must be treated as a Major Violation.
• Repeated, intentional, or egregious Violations may escalate to a Major Violation at the Head Referee’s discretion. One example of an egregious Violation would be placing a Scoring Object directly onto a Robot without ever contacting the Load Zone.
Significant Q&As:
• Q&A 2659 - Match Loads do not have to be placed in vertical positions
• Q&A 2726 - Scoring Objects must be Loaded one at a time
• Q&A 3020 - A human Loader can hold as many Pins as they like, and can rearrange Pins in the Driver Station; there’s no required layout for Pins in the Driver Station