Teacher/Mentor Institute
Competition Game Rules
JoAnne Fry
June 2, 2015
Overview of BEST “Rules”
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Rules Include – 2014 Examples
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Game Rules:
 Game
Specific Rules including Scoring – new every year
 2014 BEST Generic Game Rules – updated annually
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Kit Rules:
 2014
Returnable Kit List – updated annually
 2014 Consumable Kit List – updated annually
 2014 Generic Kit Usage Guide – updated annually
Q&A needs to be checked frequently – Password
available at Kickoff – need password until Sept 20
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 Everyone needs to understand them all!
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New 2015 Rule Document
Format
1.
Single Rules Document
Game Rules,
 Awards & Judging Policy,
 Kits, etc.
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2.
Hub Specific Information Document
Hub Competition Logistics
 Hub Additional Special Awards
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BEST Generic Game Rules

Issued at Kickoff & include these topics:
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Safety Rules
Robot Constraints
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Tournament (Head-to-Head Competition) Explanation

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Materials: construction; Returnable kit; Consumable kit; Additional
materials, constraints & exceptions
Size, weight, energy sources, compliance, & general
General, Field Colors, Drivers & Spotters, Penalties, Match Protocol,
Competition Protocol, (seeding, wild card, Semi-finals, finals)
Other issues
Non-compliant robot = you can’t compete!

See 2014 Compliance Sheet
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PAY DIRT Rules
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These are the Game-Specific Rules
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
Issued at Kickoff & understanding them is critical to
your team’s success
Includes scenario, rules, scoring & penalties
Head Referee will have a mandatory huddle with
Teacher & Mentors at Practice & Game Day
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Primarily to discuss any Q&A updates / clarifications
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Referee Advice

Lessons Learned During Past Games
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Be ready when the next match begins.
No delays allowed: 30 second setup time allowed to
place and switch on robots.
No reach-in assistance allowed after game begins.
Scoring is done after each match & driver confirms
score.
Practice Day is less structured than Game Day
All drivers & spotters need practice time & good
communication
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Online Official Q&A

Refer frequently to BRI website Participants /
Official Q&A for ongoing modifications at
http://best.eng.auburn.edu/cgi-bin/bestqna.pl
 Questions
about awards, kits (consumable,
returnable), field, rules (generic, specific, rules
clarification, rules change), software, other
 Essentially to any part of the game / competition
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Give this task to at least one team member!
 Hub
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volunteers will also read Q&A
Remember Q&A answers trump rules!
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