Chapter 5: Starting a Match and Autonomous Period Rules
Introduction
Every Head-to-Head match begins with a setup that has to be checked, and a brief Autonomous Period in which robots act on their own. Both moments come early, happen quickly, and can shape the rest of the match, so a Head Referee needs to know exactly what to look for and when to step in.
This chapter focuses on two of those early moments: confirming that a match is ready to begin, and applying the rules that govern the Autonomous Period. You will learn how to recognize a legal starting setup, what the requirements are for robot starting positions and Preloads, and when a Head Referee should intervene before the match starts.
You will also learn what teams and robots may and may not do during the Autonomous Period, including how robots can legally interact with the Midfield and the Autonomous Line.
The time to complete this chapter is approximately 30 minutes.
In This Chapter
This chapter introduces the Head Referee's responsibilities at the start of a match. You will learn how to evaluate whether teams, robots, and Preloads are ready for a legal match start, and how to apply the rules that govern play during the Autonomous Period.
As in earlier chapters, the Game Manual remains your official source for exact criteria. This chapter will direct you to the specific rules that apply, but it does not replace reading them.