• Each section will be represented by three (3) students working as a team.

• The goal for each team is to control the robots to:

  • Push a hockey puck over the opponent’s goal line to score a point

  • Protect their goal line by defending it from the opponent’s robots

• The Judging Committee has the ultimate authority during the competition. Their rulings are final. They will not review any recorded replays. 

• Participants may be disqualified immediately if they refuse to follow the rules and regulations of the event.

• An entire match between two groups will run for three (3) minutes, with a halftime at 1:30. 

• The robots are pre-made, and participants are not allowed to modify the robot’s hardware and software.

• A one-minute testing time will be given before the start of the first match so that the participants can familiarize themselves with the controls.

  • If your team has bye, only your team will test on your first match; the other team will just wait.

• The game begins with each team positioning their robots in their specific team’s starting position/area - facing the opposite direction.

• The referee places the puck in the Puck Neutral Box.

• At the start signal, robots move to retrieve the puck and advance it towards the opposing team's goal.

• Robots may use various strategies to control the puck, including pushing, shooting, and defending.

• If a robot violates a rule (e.g., excessive physical contact, leaving designated areas before the referee’s signal), the robot will be removed from play until the end of the half.

• Goals are scored when the puck crosses the opposing team's goal line without touching the side/outside lines. Each goal counts as one point.

• The match continues until the designated time for each half expires.

• At halftime, teams switch sides and robots (including iPad controllers), and the puck is placed back in the Puck Neutral Box.

• The team with the most goals at the end of regulation time wins the match.

• If the teams are tied at the end of the match, there will be a 1-minute sudden death (first goal wins) or if 1 minute expires, the team with the puck closest to their opponent’s goal line is the winner.

• Cheating in any way, shape, or form is prohibited.

• Modifying the robot build in any way is not allowed.

• Adding materials to improve robot traction is also not allowed.

• Directly or indirectly causing harm or damage to the opponent’s robot or teammate, like interfering or sabotaging the other participants, is prohibited.

• Directly or indirectly causing damage to the field track or field model is also prohibited.

• Profanity, taunting, or acting belligerently towards or harassing competition officials, participants, or spectators is prohibited.

• Failure to follow the instructions of a competition official will result in disqualification.

• No physical contact between enemy robots is allowed outside designated areas. This means you cannot bump a robot that is outside the play area unless:

  • Another robot is currently physically touching it 

  • Another robot touched it within 2 seconds

  • Any part of it is still physically touching or visually hovering above the play area borderline

  • It is currently physically touching the puck

  • It touched the puck within 2 seconds

• Robots must not leave their designated zones (Robot Neutral Area, Robot Offensive Area) until the referee has signaled the match to start.

• A robot may be removed from play for the rest of the half if a robot commits a violation.

• When the puck exits the play area through the sidelines (not the goal line), it will be placed back inside the neutral area, and all robots will return to their starting position (running time). 

• If any team repeatedly (2 times or more) pushes the puck outside with the intent of abusing the running time (at the referee's and/or judge’s discretion), the violating team will lose a robot/teammate from play(of their opponent’s choice) for the rest of the match.

• The referee enforces rules and penalties, with the authority to stop play and administer penalties as necessary.

• Single elimination

• Sections will be randomized using an online list randomizer.

• In the case of odd-numbered sections, the last section on the list will be the bye.

• A battle for 3rd will occur before the championship match, wherein the losing teams of the semifinals will compete.

Sample bracket if there are 8 sections: