FRC Rules

G101

Dangerous ROBOTS: not allowed. ROBOTS whose operation or design is dangerous or unsafe are not permitted.

G102

ROBOTS, stay on the FIELD during the MATCH. ROBOTS and anything they control, e.g. GAME PIECES, may not contact anything outside the FIELD except for MOMENTARY incursions into PORTALS.

G103

Keep your BUMPERS low. BUMPERS must be in the BUMPER ZONE (see R402) during the MATCH.

G104

Keep your BUMPERS together. BUMPERS may not fail such that a segment completely detaches, any corner (as defined in R401) of a ROBOT'S FRAME PERIMETER is exposed, or the team number or ALLIANCE color are indeterminate.

G105

Keep it together. ROBOTS may not intentionally detach or leave parts on the FIELD.

G106

Tall ROBOTS not allowed. ROBOT height, as measured when it's resting normally on a flat floor, may not exceed 6 ft. 6 in. (~198 cm)) above the carpet during the MATCH.

G107

Don't overextend yourself. ROBOTS may not extend beyond their FRAME PERIMETER in more than 48 in. (~122 cm). MOMENTARY and inconsequential extensions beyond 48 in. (~122 cm) are an exception to this rule.

G108

Opponent's zone, no extension. A ROBOT whose BUMPERS are intersecting the opponent's LOADING ZONE or COMMUNITY may not extend beyond its FRAME PERIMETER. Extensions which are both MOMENTARY and inconsequential are an exception to this rule.

G109

Don't extend in multiple directions. ROBOTS may not extend beyond their FRAME PERIMETER in more than one direction (i.e. over 1 side of the ROBOT) at a time. For the purposes of this rule, a round or circular section of FRAME PERIMETER is considered to have an infinite number of sides. Exceptions to this rule are:

G201

Don't expect to gain by doing others harm. Strategies clearly aimed at forcing the opponent ALLIANCE to violate a rule are not in the spirit of FIRST Robotics Competition and not allowed. Rule violations forced in this manner will not result in an assignment of a penalty to the targeted ALLIANCE.

G202

There's a 5-count on PINS. ROBOTS may not PIN an opponent's ROBOT for more than 5 seconds. A ROBOT is PINNING if it is preventing the movement of an opponent ROBOT by contact, either direct or transitive (such as against a FIELD element). A ROBOT is considered PINNED until the ROBOTS have separated by at least 6 ft. (~183 cm) from each other, either ROBOT has moved 6 ft. from where the PIN initiated, or the PINNING ROBOT gets PINNED, whichever comes first. The PINNING ROBOT(S) must then wait for at least 3 seconds before attempting to PIN the same ROBOT again.

G203

Don't collude with your partners to shut down major parts of game play. 2 or more ROBOTS that appear to a REFEREE to be working together may neither isolate nor close off any major element of MATCH play.

G204

Stay out of other ROBOTS. A ROBOT may not use a COMPONENT outside its FRAME PERIMETER (except its BUMPERS) to initiate contact with an opponent ROBOT inside the vertical projection of that opponent ROBOT'S FRAME PERIMETER. Contact with an opponent in an opening of their BUMPERS or in the space above the BUMPER opening are exceptions to this rule.

G205

This isn't combat robotics. A ROBOT may not damage or functionally impair an opponent ROBOT in either of the following ways:

G206

Don't tip or entangle. A ROBOT may not deliberately, as perceived by a REFEREE, attach to, tip, or entangle with an opponent ROBOT.

G207

Right of way. A ROBOT with any part of itself in their opponent's LOADING ZONE or COMMUNITY may not contact an opponent ROBOT, regardless of who initiates contact.

G208

Don't climb on each other unless in the COMMUNITY. A ROBOT may not be fully supported by a partner ROBOT unless the partner's BUMPERS intersect its COMMUNITY.

G209

During the ENDGAME, don't touch ROBOTS touching their CHARGE STATION. During the ENDGAME, a ROBOT may not contact, either directly or transitively through a GAME PIECE, an opponent ROBOT contacting its CHARGE STATION or supported by a partner contacting its CHARGE STATION, regardless of who initiates contact. A ROBOT in contact with its CHARGE STATION and partially in its opponent's LOADING ZONE is not protected by this rule.

G301

Be careful what you interact with. ROBOTS and OPERATOR CONSOLES are prohibited from the following actions with regards to interaction with ARENA elements. Items A-D exclude GAME PIECES.

G302

Stay on your side in AUTO. During AUTO, a ROBOT may not intersect the infinite vertical volume created by the CENTERLINE of the FIELD.

G303

Do not interfere with opponent GAME PIECES in AUTO. During AUTO, a ROBOT action may not cause GAME PIECES staged on the opposing side of the FIELD to move from their starting locations.

G304

Don't mess with the opponent's CHARGE STATION. ROBOTS, either directly or transitively through a GAME PIECE, may not cause or prevent the movement of the opponent CHARGE STATION. The following are exceptions to this rule:

G305

Don't trick the sensors. Teams may not interfere with automated scoring hardware.

G401

Keep GAME PIECES in bounds. ROBOTS may not intentionally eject GAME PIECES from the FIELD (either directly or by bouncing off a FIELD element or other ROBOT).

G402

GAME PIECES: use as directed. ROBOTS may not deliberately use GAME PIECES in an attempt to ease or amplify challenges associated with FIELD elements.

G403

1 GAME PIECE at a time (except in LOADING ZONE and COMMUNITY). ROBOTS completely outside their LOADING ZONE or COMMUNITY may not have greater-than-MOMENTARY CONTROL of more than 1 GAME PIECE, either directly or transitively through other objects.

G404

Launching GAME PIECES is only okay in the COMMUNITY. A ROBOT may not launch GAME PIECES unless any part of the ROBOT is in its own COMMUNITY.

G405

Don't mess with the opponents' GRIDS. A ROBOT may not move a scored GAME PIECE from an opponent's NODE.

H101

Be a good person. All teams must be civil toward everyone and respectful of team and event equipment while at a FIRST Robotics Competition event.

H102

Enter only 1 ROBOT. Each registered FIRST Robotics Competition team may enter only 1 ROBOT (or "robot," a ROBOT -like assembly equipped with most of its drive base, i.e. its MAJOR MECHANISM that enables it to move around a FIELD) into a 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition Event. "Entering" a ROBOT (or robot) into a FIRST Robotics Competition means bringing it to or using it at the event such that it's an aid to your team (e.g. for spare parts, judging material, or for practice). While "most of its drive base" is a subjective assessment, for the purposes of this rule, an assembly whose drive base is missing all wheels/treads, gearboxes, and belts/chains is not considered a "robot." If any of those COMPONENTS are incorporated, the assembly is now considered a "robot."

H103

Humans, stay off the FIELD until green. Team members may only enter the FIELD if the DRIVER STATION LED strings are green, unless explicitly instructed by a REFEREE or an FTA.

H104

Never step over the guardrail. Team members may only enter or exit the FIELD through open gates.

H105

Asking other teams to throw a MATCH - not cool. A team may not encourage an ALLIANCE, of which it is not a member, to play beneath its ability.

H106

Letting someone coerce you in to throwing a MATCH - also not cool. A team, as the result of encouragement by a team not on their ALLIANCE, may not play beneath its ability.

H107

Throwing your own MATCH is bad. A team may not intentionally lose a MATCH or sacrifice ranking points in an effort to lower their own ranking or manipulate the rankings of other teams.

H108

Don't abuse ARENA access. Team members (except DRIVERS, HUMAN PLAYERS, and COACHES) granted access to restricted areas in and around the ARENA (e.g. via TECHNICIAN button, event issued Media badges, etc.) may not assist or use signaling devices during the MATCH. Exceptions will be granted for inconsequential infractions and in cases concerning safety.

H109

Be careful what you interact with. Team members are prohibited from the following actions with regards to interaction with ARENA elements. Temporary deformation of a GAME PIECE (e.g.to pre-load a ROBOT) is an exception to this rule.

H110

Don't mess with GAME PIECES. Teams may not modify GAME PIECES in any way. Temporary deformation (e.g.to pre-load a ROBOT) is an exception to this rule.

H201

Egregious or exceptional violations. Egregious behavior beyond what is listed in the rules or subsequent violations of any rule or procedure during the event is prohibited.

H202

1 STUDENT, 1 Head REFEREE. A team may only address the Head REFEREE with 1 STUDENT. The STUDENT may not be accompanied by more than 1 silent observer.

H301

Be prompt. DRIVE TEAMS may not cause significant delays to the start of a MATCH. Causing a significant delay requires both of the following to be true:

H302

Teams may not enable their ROBOTS on the FIELD. Teams may not tether to the ROBOT while on the FIELD except in special circumstances (e.g. after Opening Ceremonies, before an immediate MATCH replay, etc.) and with the express permission from the FTA or a REFEREE.

H303

You can't bring/use anything you want. The only equipment that may be brought to the ARENA and used by DRIVE TEAMS during a MATCH is listed below. Regardless of if equipment fits criteria below, it may not be employed in a way that breaks any other rules, introduces a safety

H304

By invitation only. Only DRIVE TEAMS for the current MATCH are allowed in their respective ALLIANCE AREAS and SUBSTATION AREAS.

H305

Show up to your MATCHES. Upon each team's ROBOT passing initial, complete inspection, the team must send at least 1 member of its DRIVE TEAM to the ARENA and participate in each of the team's assigned Qualification and Playoff MATCHES.

H306

Identify yourself. DRIVE TEAMS must wear proper identification while in the ARENA. Proper identification consists of:

H307

Plug in to/be in your DRIVER STATION. The OPERATOR CONSOLE must be used in the DRIVER STATION to which the team is assigned, as indicated on the team sign.

H308

Don't bang on the glass. Team members may never strike or hit the DRIVER STATION plastic windows.

H309

Know your ROBOT setup. When placed on the FIELD for a MATCH, each ROBOT must be:

H310

Know your DRIVE TEAM positions. Prior to the start of the MATCH, DRIVE TEAM members must be positioned as follows:

H311

Leave the GAME PIECES alone. Prior to the start of the MATCH, HUMAN PLAYERS may not rearrange the GAME PIECES within the SUBSTATION AREA.

H401

Behind the lines. During AUTO, DRIVE TEAM members in ALLIANCE AREAS and HUMAN PLAYERS in their SUBSTATION AREAS may not contact anything in front of the STARTING LINES, unless for personal or equipment safety or granted permission by a Head REFEREE or FTA.

H402

Disconnect or set down controllers. Prior to the start of the MATCH, any control devices worn or held by HUMAN PLAYERS and/or DRIVERS must be disconnected from the OPERATOR CONSOLE.

H403

Let the ROBOT do its thing. During AUTO, DRIVE TEAMS may not directly or indirectly interact with ROBOTS or OPERATOR CONSOLES unless for personal safety, OPERATOR CONSOLE safety, or pressing an E-Stop.

H501

COACHES and other teams: hands off the controls. A ROBOT shall be operated only by the DRIVERS and/or HUMAN PLAYERS of that team.

H502

No wandering. DRIVE TEAMS may not contact anything outside the area in which they started the MATCH (i.e. the ALLIANCE AREA, the SUBSTATION AREA, or the designated TECHNICIAN space). Exceptions are granted in cases concerning safety and for actions that are inadvertent, MOMENTARY, and inconsequential.

H503

COACHES, GAME PIECES are off limits. COACHES may not touch GAME PIECES, unless for safety purposes.

H504

GAME PIECES through PORTALS only. GAME PIECES may only be introduced to the FIELD

H505

DRIVE TEAMS, watch your reach. DRIVE TEAMS may not extend any body part into the SINGLE SUBSTATION PORTAL for a greater-than-MOMENTARY period of time.