<SG4>
Keep Blocks in the Field. Teams may not remove Blocks from the Field. A Block that leaves the Field during Match play, intentionally or unintentionally, will be given to a Drive Team Member from the same color Alliance as the Block and may be used as a Match Load in accordance with <SG9>.
• If a Block 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 or Head Referee. If the redirection occurred due to contact with a Drive Team Member, it will be at the Head Referee’s discretion whether or not <GG4> (hands out of the Field) should apply. Violation Notes:
• After a Team’s third Match with any Violation of this rule (either Major or Minor), all subsequent Violations of this rule will immediately escalate to a Major Violation.
• Any Team that removes three (3) or more Blocks from the Field in a single Match will receive a Major Violation.
• If it is not clear which Robot was the last to contact the Block, all involved Teams with a color that is opposite to the Block will receive a Violation.
• Due to the difficulty of determining Match Affecting implications of this rule, most Violations should be considered Minor. However, blatantly intentional and/or Match Affecting Violations (especially during Elimination Matches) may still immediately escalate to a Major Violation at the Head Referee’s discretion.
Significant Q&As:
• Q&A 2788 - Clarifications on how & when to return Blocks that have left the Field
• Q&A 2798 - Violation Note clarifications for the Autonomous Period
• Q&A 2809 - A Block on the Field Perimeter is still in the Field, unless it contacts something outside of the Field
Game Rules Index