官方问答&A: VEX IQ Robotics Competition 2026-2027: Level Up

We are seeking clarification on the proper procedure and penalty evaluation for attempting to remove excess Bean Bag(s) under rule <SG6>, particularly for Robots that utilize one-way catapult/launcher mechanisms.

First, we quote the applicable rules from Version 2.1 of the Game Manual:

<SG6> A Robot may Possess or Plow a maximum of one (1) Bean Bag at a time. Robots in Violation of this rule must immediately stop all Robot actions except for attempting to remove the excess Bean Bag(s). Blue Box: The intent of this rule is to prevent each Robot from strategically transporting more than one Bean Bag across the Field at a time...

<GG10> b. Any Scoring Objects being controlled by the Robot while being handled must be removed from the Field, will not be returned to the Field, and cannot be reintroduced by the Loaders. No other Scoring Objects should be adjusted.

Appendix D - Rule Violations:

• Minor Violation - A Violation which does not result in a Disqualification. Accidental, momentary, or otherwise non-Score Affecting Violations are usually Minor Violations.
• Major Violation - A Violation which results in a Disqualification. Unless otherwise noted in a rule, all Score Affecting Violations are Major Violations. If noted in the rule, egregious or strategic Violations or intentional actions that result in Violations may also be Major Violations.

During recent events, different interpretations have arisen regarding how Teams must comply with <SG6> after accidentally Possessing two (2) Bean Bags at once. Could the GDC please clarify the following specific scenarios:

1. Quantity & Location of Removal: When a Robot accidentally Possesses two (2) Bean Bags and immediately stops driving to remove the "excess Bean Bag(s)" per <SG6>, is the Robot only required to eject one (1) Bean Bag onto an open, non-Goal Floor area of the Field (returning to legal Possession of 1 Bean Bag), OR must the Robot completely empty all Bean Bags from the Robot / remove them out of the Field / call for a <GG10> reset?
2. One-Way Launcher / Catapult Ejection: Many Robots use one-way intake and launcher/catapult mechanisms that cannot reverse to spit out a Bean Bag; the only physical way to remove Bean Bags from the Robot is to fire the launcher. If a Robot accidentally intakes two (2) Bean Bags, immediately stops all drivetrain movement at that spot, and fires its launcher to clear the Bean Bags onto the open Floor (without scoring them into any Goal, even if the Robot happened to be facing the general direction of a Goal when it stopped), should this be considered a legal attempt to remove the excess Bean Bag(s) resulting in a Minor Violation (assuming it is accidental, not repeated, and not used to strategically transport Bean Bags across the Field)?
3. Immediate Disqualification vs. Score Affecting Evaluation: Provided a Team does not intentionally or repeatedly violate <SG6>, and immediately stops driving to eject the excess Bean Bag(s) onto the Floor so that neither Bean Bag is scored in a Goal or strategically transported across the Field, can you confirm that accidental Possession of two Bean Bags is a Minor Violation and NOT an automatic Major Violation / Disqualification?