<T3>
Drive Team Members are permitted to immediately appeal a Head Referee’s ruling. If Drive Team Members wish to dispute a score or ruling, they must stay in the Alliance Station until the Head Referee from the Match talks with them. The Head Referee may then choose to meet with the Drive Team Members at another location and/or at a later time so that the Head Referee has time to reference materials or resources to help with the decision. Once the Head Referee announces that their decision has been made final, the issue is over and no more appeals may be made (See rule <T1>); failure to accept this final decision may be considered a <G1> Violation. There is no system or opportunity for an appeal of the Head Referee’s final decision, either at or after the event.
• Referees are not permitted to review any photo or video Match recordings when determining a score or ruling. Some events may also prohibit Drive Team Members from reviewing photo or video Match recordings while in the Alliance Station; this should be announced to all Teams before Matches start.
• Head Referees are the only individuals permitted to explain a rule, Disqualification, Violation, or other penalty to the Teams in a Head-to-Head Match. Teams should never consult other field personnel, including Scorekeeper Referees, regarding a ruling clarification. Communication and conflict resolution skills are an important life skill for Students to practice and learn. In the VEX V5 Robotics Competition, we expect Students to practice proper conflict resolution using the proper chain of command. Violations of this rule may be considered a Violation of <G1>. Some events may choose to utilize a “question box” or other designated location for discussions with Head Referees. Offering a “question box” is within the discretion of the Event Partner and/or Head Referee, and may act as an alternate option for asking Drive Team Members to remain in the Alliance Station (although all other aspects of this rule apply). However, by using this alternate location, Drive Team Members acknowledge that they are forfeiting the opportunity to use any contextual information involving the specific state of the Field at the end of the Match. For example, it is impossible to appeal whether a Scoring Object was Scored or not if the Field has already been reset. If this information is pertinent to the appeal, Drive Team Members should still remain in the Alliance Station, and only relocate to the “question box” once the Head Referee has been made aware of the concern and/or any relevant context.
Game Rules Index