Chapter 3: Robot Skills for Referees
Lesson 3: Skills Stop Time
Learning Objectives
- Describe the purpose of Skills Stop Time.
- Identify that a team must opt in to Skills Stop Time before the Match begins.
- Identify valid ways a Robot Skills Match may be ended early.
In a Robot Skills Match, teams have one minute to score as many points as possible. In some cases, a team may decide they have finished their run before the full minute is up. Rather than waiting for the clock to expire, a team may choose to end their match early by recording a Skills Stop Time.
A Skills Stop Time does not change a team's score. Its only purpose is to serve as a tiebreaker in Robot Skills Rankings. When two teams finish an event with the same score, the team that completed their run in less time is ranked higher.
Before continuing, review rule <RSC5> in the Robot Skills section of the current VEX V5 Robotics Competition Override Game Manual.
Opting In
A team cannot decide to use a Skills Stop Time once the match has started. Teams must opt in by verbally confirming with the referee before the match begins. If a team does not opt in beforehand, they forfeit the option for that match and receive a default Skills Stop Time of 0.
This conversation should also identify which Drive Team Member will give the stop signal. Only that Drive Team Member may end the match early.
For referees, opt-in can become part of the pre-match routine, alongside confirming the robot's starting position and Preload.
Ending the Match Early
The method used to end a match early is determined and communicated by the Event Partner beforehand. Know which method the event is using before Robot Skills Matches begin.
Whatever the method, the signal must come from the designated Drive Team Member in the Alliance Station and must be both verbal and visual so referees can clearly recognize it. Drive Team Members and referees should agree on the signal before the match begins.
Referee Takeaways
Skills Stop Time is one of the few Robot Skills procedures that requires action before the match begins. Keep these points in mind:
- Skills Stop Time is a tiebreaker only and does not change a team's score.
- Teams must opt in before the match starts. There are no exceptions.
- Confirm the team's opt-in and make note of the signaling Drive Team Member as part of pre-match setup.
- Know which Stop Time method your event is using before matches begin.