Jackson Area Robotics 2775Jackson Area FIRST Robotics Team

The game is played on a 54-foot by 27-foot (16 × 8 m) carpeted rectangular field. In the middle of the Field there are 2 “Bumps” which represent obstacles which robots will need to climb to maneuver the field.

Two alliances, one red and one blue, composed of three FIRST Robotics Competition teams each, compete in each match. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by scoring #5 soccer balls in your goals, which are located at the corners of the field, and by hanging from a 7 foot tall bar at the end of the match.

The game is made up of two scoring periods. The first 15 seconds of play is the Autonomous period, in which robots operate according to pre-programmed instructions. The next two minutes of play is the Teleoperated period. At this time, robots are radio-controlled by team operators standing at either end of the field.

Scoring

* Soccer ball scored in your goal -  1 point
* Hanging from the bar at the end of the match – 2 Points
* Hanging from another robot which is also hanging at the end of the match – 3 Points

Autonomous period

The autonomous period is the 15-second period at the start of a match. Driver control of the robot is not permitted at this time. During this period, the robots may react only to sensor inputs and commands programmed into the onboard control system. All robot safety rules are still applicable during the autonomous period. The autonomous period ends when the arena timer displays zero seconds left in the period.

Teleoperated period

The teleoperated period is the 2-minute period of game play immediately following the autonomous period. At the beginning of the teleoperated period the operator console controls are activated and drivers may remotely control their robots. The drivers continue to teleoperate their robots for the remainder of the match. The teleoperated period ends when the arena timer displays zero seconds. This also indicates the end of the match.

Terminology

Each year FIRST describes the different elements of the game in specific terminology so that people can have a common nomenclature.

* ALLIANCE: A set of three FRC TEAMS that work together during a MATCH to play Breakaway against an opposing ALLIANCE. ALLIANCES are identified during the MATCH by their assigned color, either red or blue.
*CARRYING: POSSESSING a BALL that is not in contact with the FIELD.
*ELEVATED: A ROBOT that is completely above the plane of the PLATFORM and in contact with the TOWER shall be considered ELEVATED.
*FINALE: The final 20 seconds of the match.
*MATCH: A single iteration of play in which ALLIANCES attempt to complete the objectives of the Breakaway game during a competition.
*PENALTY: A 1-point decrement in the ALLIANCE score assigned when a deserving violation of the game rules has been identified by a Referee.
*POSSESSION: Controlling the position and movement of a BALL. A BALL shall be considered in POSSESSION if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the BALL remains in approximately the same position relative to the ROBOT.
*RED CARD: An indication of disqualification of a TEAM.
*SCORED: A BALL is SCORED when it is passes through the GOAL COUNTER.
*SUSPENDED: A ROBOT only in contact with an ELEVATED ROBOT and/or a SUSPENDED ROBOT shall be considered SUSPENDED.
*TEAM: Four representatives from a registered FRC team that interact with their ROBOT and their ALLIANCE partners to play Breakaway. Positions on the TEAM include:
*COACH: A student or adult mentor designated as the team coach and advisor during the MATCH and identified as the person wearing the designated “COACH” pin or button. There is one COACH per TEAM.
*DRIVER: A pre-college student team member responsible for operating and controlling the ROBOT. There are two DRIVERS per TEAM.
*HUMAN PLAYER: A pre-college student team member responsible for properly returning BALLS to the FIELD. There is one HUMAN PLAYER per TEAM. The HUMAN PLAYER is the only TEAM MEMBER that may handle the TRIDENT.
*YELLOW CARD: A warning of egregious ROBOT or team member behavior at the ARENA.