The Main Missions and Fundamental Teams:

There are many rules that are being applied when playing Loops 2017, a game created by the CRC Robotics founders. The objective in this game is to determine which of the two chosen teams (blue vs. yellow) with their robots, will have the most points by the maximum amount of spools in the other team's side, rather than their own side. Each of the teams have their own side and they must not cross on each other’s side.

 

Spools and Zones:

To begin, each team’s robot will receive two spools (also known as the playing pieces) and 24 in total on each side of the playing field. The playing field as shown is a large rectangle. The floor on each side as specific zones where points can be collected. Here are the following: 2 zones of 5 points, 2 zones of 10 points, 2 zones of 20 points, 1 zone of 30 points, 1 zone of 40 points, 1 zone of 100 points and finally 2 zones of 2x multipliers. If one of the teams have one spool is in between two zones, then they will receive the highest amount of points between the two numbers (if the spool is on the border 10 and 20, then the team will receive 20 points in total). When one team has stacked spools on top of each other, then they will also receive more points as a result.

 

Guards On Deck:

It is extremely important that the spotter, driver and robot from every school’s teams must be ready on the On Deck Circle. If this doesn’t happen by consequence, a penalty will be addressed. It is also notified that the robot must be labelled with the school name and code number, along with the robot’s name which is not obligatory.

 

Humble Beginnings:

Everyone part of the team must remain seated, with the consultation by the CRC, once the game has finally begun. They are not allowed to stand on the playing field or interfere the playing spools. Each team must make sure that they are punctual enough and place the robot at the designated area to begin. They must also have their attention to make the robot play the game properly and safely.

 

Ready, Set, Go!:

Once the referee blows his/her whistle, the game starts immediately. It is advised that the robots do not go into the 2x area. If it falls accidently, the team must position the robot back on its wheels. If similar problems like this one occur but with the referee’s help, then he/she will have no choice but to deduct 20% of the points off from the specified team. Other cases that points can be removed can include: staying on the 2x zone, setting up a fallen robot or if the robot being stuck on a spool. If it takes too long for assist the robot, then the referee will help these certain conditions. To encourage the chances of winning, the team can overthrow the other team by moving or throwing spools through the wall openings. One of the teams also must not trespass upon the air space in the other side and the wall. If they violate this rule, then the opposing team will have more playable spools, indicating that spools can be removed from the opposing team into their dispensers with no penalty included. Robots must also respect all property when playing the game. There must be 12 playable spools initially. If last robot left pieces on the field, then it is responsible for clearing it out. If a piece is out of the field, then the other team will have to remove one of their spools, as the removed pieces will displayed on a screen in front of them. The spools must also not be near any edges. The spools that are in the same side can move (except for the 100 points zone, not on the contour line). If the spool are in contact with the robot and off the field, then it is on the robot. In the end, there should be a maximum of 2 spools on top of the robot. If there is more, then 100 points will be removed from the total score of one of the teams. Finally, the referees will be in charge in part of judging the following: violations linked towards preventing the air space of the wall and other side of the field, restricting the robot from coming into contact into the 100 points zone, and making sure the screens have counted up the correct amount of points for each specific team.

 

This is the End:

Each team will have 5 minutes when playing. Once the game is over, the robots must be moved away from the playing field. If the one of the spools are still moving once the referee blows the whistle, wait until the spool lands on one of the zones, collecting the last points for the team. Before a new game has begun for the others, the team must be able to clear up the field and remove robots from spools for a minimum of 30 seconds, also mentioned that a minimum of 12 spools is removed from the dispensers. The countdown will be inapplicable if one of the spools re-enters the field. If one of the spools is exactly in the 100 points zone, it cannot be removed and demonstrates that the field cannot be cleared completely. At the end of play, no one should enter the playing field without the permission of the referees.

 

The Moment of Truth:

Teams can share points by taking a spool from the dispensers or putting in on the other team’s area. If the robot remains stationary in the starting zone for the whole game, then the score will be multiplied by 1.5 to be fair and sorry for the situation. If the robot moves throughout the portion of the game, but then stops moving for any particular reason before the team shares points, then no extra points will be added from this incident. The final scores and total number of spools will end up on the displayed screen for further notice. If one of the spools has landed on the border separating the two teams, then both of them will receive points based on the spool’s closest location. Spools on one side of the field will be rewarded for the other side as well. Spools in dispensers and 2x zones will not count for any points. Each team that removes spools from the dispensers will earn 50 points, without any contact. If the spool is left on the field floor once the 5 minutes are up, the opposing team will be rewarded with those points. Any extra spools are removed from the dispensers, then the two highest scoring spools will be eliminated from the total score. The team with the highest number of spools in the 2x zone will double the total amount of points possessed throughout the game. If a spool is on the 2x zone for one side of the field, then it mustn't be removed by the team on the same side. The opposing side will double the amount of points if they don’t play with other team’s pieces and the team has the right to remove extra spools from the dispensers. Once all teams have been playing, each school will eliminate their two lowest scoring teams. The total of all the other teams, including the scores from the technical skills will be added to the final score.

 

A Wide Stare in the Eyes:

If bumping and blocking is done purposely, the referee will deduct points off immediately. He/She has the power to command penalties and other violations at any cost. Junk penalty is crucial since after the game is completed and if items aren’t in contact with the robot in a certain situation, a penalty of 4% will given to the violated team. Sportsmanship amongst other teams is important as well and people must be fair and generous. If uncontrollable and furious human behaviour occur, such as dismantling and destroying a robot or even being disrespectful and immature, the consequences can be grave as the preliminary scores can become one of the last two, if people are not careful with their harmful intentions.