The rules behind every match.

Competition format

Team formation, preliminary ranking, and match readiness.

• Each registered team consists of 2–4 students. A school may register multiple teams, and each remains a separate competing group.
• During preliminary rounds, each team competes against four randomly selected teams.
• Competition Points: win +3, scored tie +1, no-score tie +0, loss +0.
• A team more than two minutes late—or not showing sufficient haste during a delay—may receive an automatic forfeit.

Field and robot

The physical constraints every design must satisfy.

Match gameplay

How a three-minute match begins, continues, and ends.

• Two judges officiate each match: one tracks scoring and one tracks penalties. Counts are final unless a host technical issue requires action.
• Both robots begin completely inside their gray starting areas. A ball begins at field center. Robots may not exit before the start sound.
• Both sides have three minutes to earn the most Game Points.
• If both robots become unable to continue, both teams may agree to stop. The current higher score wins.
• A damaged ball stays on the field but no longer earns goal points. A judge supplies a replacement after announcing it.
• After a score, a judge releases another ball through the Game Piece Release Area. Scored balls may return to play, but not immediately.

Scoring and penalties

Game Points decide the match; Competition Points rank the result.

Inspection and safety

A mandatory inspection protects students, robots, and the field.

• Height, perimeter, weight, material, and build-rule compliance
• Accessible main power switch / primary breaker in a visible location
• Radio-loss failsafe that stops all motors
• Removable battery disconnect or power link
• Permitted battery type, voltage, capacity, protection, and secure mounting
• No damaged or swollen batteries
• No exposed wiring, conductive terminals, sharp edges, pointed corners, or exposed screws
• Visible light that turns on whenever any part of the robot receives power
• Electrical systems isolated from the robot frame; the frame cannot carry current

Competition-day student safety

• Every student attends the opening safety meeting covering fire safety, escape routes, medical response, emergency-stop, and evacuation procedures.
• Safety glasses are required in pits, inspection areas, and the battle area.
• Robots remain powered off outside areas marked for operation.
• Adults supervise battery charging and repairs; charging occurs in a fire-resistant location.

Sportsmanship and procedures

Officials protect fair play and keep the event moving.

• Judges monitor sportsmanship throughout the competition.
• Unfair or harmful conduct may receive any penalty from a verbal warning to disqualification, based on severity.
• Match redos and point appeals are limited to host-caused technical failures such as field breakage, power loss, or safety stoppage.
• Teams are responsible for check-in, weigh-in, inspection, match readiness, and safe repair between matches.