FIRST
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Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 2 | 11
Section 4.0 – The Game Revision 1.3: 12.5.2019
Penalty – The consequence imposed for a rule or procedure violation that is identified by a referee. When a
Penalty occurs, points will be awarded to the Alliance that did not incur the Penalty. Penalties are further
defined into Minor Penalties (five (5) points) and Major Penalties (twenty (20) points). Penalties may also
escalate to issuing of a Yellow Card or Red Card as a result of a continued occurrence of a rule violation
and upon discretion of the Referee.
Yellow Cards and Red Cards – In addition to rule violations explicitly listed in section 4.6, Yellow
Cards and Red Cards are used in the FIRST Tech Challenge to manage Team and Robot behavior
that does not align with the mission of FIRST. Yellow and Red Cards are not limited to just the
Competition Area. Teams that display egregious behavior in the pit area, judging rooms, stands, or
any other location of the tournament can be issued a yellow or red card for egregious behavior.
Egregious behaviors or behaviors that are repeated (3 or more) times by a Robot or Team member
at the tournament can result in a Yellow and/or Red Card. Yellow Cards are additive, meaning that a
second Yellow Card is automatically converted to a Red Card. A Team is issued a Red Card for any
subsequent incident in which they receive an additional Yellow Card, for example, earning a second
Yellow Card during a single Match.
Yellow and Red Cards may also be issued on or off the competition field. For details please make
sure to read the Tournament Rules outlined in section 4.2 of the Game Manual Part 1.
Pin / Pinning – Preventing the movement in all directions of an opposing Alliance Robot while it is in
contact with the Playing Field Wall, one or more Game Elements, or another Robot.
Placing – An Autonomous and Driver-Controlled Period Scoring achievement where a Robot deposits a
Stone or Skystone In a Foundation.
Playing Field – The part of the Competition Area that includes the 12 ft. x 12 ft. (3.66 m x 3.66 m) field and
all the Game Elements described in the official field documents. From the audience viewpoint, the Red
Alliance Station is on the right side of the Playing Field.
Playing Field Damage – A physical change to a Game Element or Playing Field that affects gameplay or
an action that causes harm to the playability of a Game Element or Playing Field.
Playing Field Floor – The top surface of the Tiles that make up the base of the Playing Field.
Playing Field Perimeter – The outside face of the Playing Field Wall.
Playing Field Wall – An approximate 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall, 12 ft. (3.66 m) long by 12 ft. (3.66 m) wide
wall surrounding the Playing Field Floor. The height of the Wall will vary depending on which Playing Field
Wall is being used at the event. Robots should be built to interact with all legal Playing Field Walls.
Possess / Possessing – An object is in Possession by a Robot if, as the Robot moves or changes
orientation (for example, moves forward, turns, backs up, spins in place), the object remains in
approximately the same position relative to the Robot. Objects in Possession by a Robot are considered to
be Controlled, and they are part of the Robot. See also Control/Controlling.
Pre-Load - A Game Element that a Drive Team positions during pre-Match setup so that it is Possessed by
a Robot at the start of the Autonomous Period.
Quarry – A structure made of four (4) Stones and two (2) Skystones. All six (6) Stones/Skystones are
positioned end to end along the floor Tile tab edge, see the Field Setup Guide for the exact location. Prior to
the start of the Match the six (6) Stones/Skystones are positioned in one of three (3) randomly selected
configurations. See Appendix D.