Section 3 - Scoring & Rules

Scoring

How many points each action is worth depends on the Scoring System in effect. There are six, named A to F (Table SC-1). What counts as Scored never changes; only the point values do. System A is the baseline, and Systems B to F each reward a different part of the game more. Check the Scoring System before each Match and adjust your plan.

<SC1> All scoring statuses for Scoring Objects, Goals, and Landed Drones are evaluated after the Match ends. Referees score once everything on the Field has stopped moving.

1. Referees try not to touch Scoring Objects while scoring. If one must be moved to check another, the Head Referee and all Teams agree on its status and record it first.
2. If a Match ends early, it is scored as the Field stands once everything has stopped moving. This applies to a Match ended by agreement, by a Match Abort, or by a Head Referee E-Stop.

<SC2> Scoring status for Ring Tunnel Passes is evaluated during the Match. Referees count each Ring Tunnel Pass as it happens, up to two per Match. It doesn’t matter which Drone makes it.

Caution

Note: Every Match needs a Head Referee and at least one Scorekeeper Referee. A recommended setup: the Head Referee stands between the two Field Platforms and watches the Match, the Scorekeeper Referee stands beside them and counts Ring Tunnel Passes, and the Scorekeeper Referee and Pilots confirm each Pass with a word or signal as it happens. Events tell Teams their process before Matches start.

<SC3> All scoring statuses are evaluated visually by a Head Referee.

1. Referees and event staff may not use videos or photos of the Match.
2. Only the Flight Team Members from that Match, not Adults, may ask the Head Referee about the score.

What Counts as Scored

Rules SC4 to SC12 explain what counts as Scored: when a Scoring Object is Scored in or on a Goal, when a Ring Tunnel Pass counts, when a Drone is Landed, and when bonuses are awarded. These criteria are the same under every Scoring System.

<SC4> Orbit Ball Scored on the Pole Goal. An Orbit Ball is Scored on a Pole Goal if:

1. It is not touching a Drone.
2. Part of the Pole is inside the Orbit Ball’s outer edges (Figure SC4-1).

Figure SC4-1: The top Red Orbit Ball is not Scored because the Pole is not inside it. All other Orbit Balls are Scored.

<SC5> Orbit Ball Scored in the Drop Tower Goal. An Orbit Ball is Scored in a Drop Tower Goal if:

1. It is not touching a Drone.
2. At least part of it is inside the Goal, below the top edge of the Goal’s opening (Figure SC5-1).

Figure SC5-1: All four Orbit Balls are Scored because each is at least partly inside the Goal.

<SC6> Orbit Ball Scored in the Drop Zone Goal. An Orbit Ball is Scored in the Drop Zone Goal if:

1. It is not touching a Drone.
2. At least part of it is inside the Goal, below the top edge of the Goal’s opening (Figure SC6-1).

Figure SC6-1: All seven Orbit Balls are Scored because each is at least partly inside the Goal.

Caution

Note: For SC5 and SC6, the top edge is the rim of the funnel. An Orbit Ball sitting completely above the rim, such as one resting on top of a full Goal, is not Scored. An Orbit Ball that is partly below the rim is.

<SC7> Cargo Scored on the Cargo Platform Goal. Cargo is Scored on a Cargo Platform Goal if:

1. It is not touching a Drone.
2. It is held up only by the Cargo Platform Goal and/or other Cargo that is Scored (Figure SC7-1).

Figure SC7-1: All of this Cargo is Scored because each piece is held up by the Goal or by Scored Cargo.

<SC8> White Scoring Objects are wildcards. A White Scoring Object counts as matching the color of any Goal it is Scored in.

<SC9> Ring Tunnel Pass criteria (maximum two per Match). A Drone completes a Ring Tunnel Pass if:

1. It flies through all four Rings in order, in either direction.
2. It doesn’t touch the Field Tiles while going through the Rings.

Up to two Ring Tunnel Passes count per Match. One Drone may complete both.

Figure SC9-1: A Drone completing a Ring Tunnel Pass.

<SC10> Drone Landed on a Field Platform. A Drone is Landed if:

1. All four Drone feet are on the top plate of a Field Platform at the end of the Match, and no other Drone is touching that Field Platform.
2. The Drone is not touching a Scoring Object.
3. The Drone landed itself:
   1. A Drone whose Pilot triggered landing from the Controller before the Match timer reached 0:00 is Landed if it comes to rest meeting a and b.
   2. A Drone that was still flying at 0:00 is held in a hover and is not Landed, even if it is flown back to a Field Platform afterward (GG9).
   3. A Drone placed on a Field Platform by hand is not Landed, unless it takes off again and lands itself.

Figure SC10-1: A comparison of a Drone on the Platform and considered Landed (the left image) and a Drone partially on the Platform and not considered Landed (the right image)

<SC11> Obstacle Completion Bonus criteria. At the end of the Match:

1. One Obstacle Completion Bonus is awarded if at least one Drone is Landed and the Alliance completed at least one Ring Tunnel Pass.
2. A second Obstacle Completion Bonus is awarded if both Drones are Landed and the Alliance completed two Ring Tunnel Passes.
3. It doesn’t matter which Drone completed the Ring Tunnel Passes.

<SC12> Goal Bonus criteria. A Goal Bonus is awarded for each Goal that has at least one Scored Scoring Object at the end of the Match.

1. Each of the seven Goals can earn only one Goal Bonus per Match.
2. The colors of the Scoring Object and the Goal don’t need to match.

Scoring System

<SC13> One Scoring System is in effect for each Match.

1. What counts as Scored (SC4 to SC12) is the same under every Scoring System. Only the point values in Table SC-1 change.
2. The Scoring System for each Round is not published ahead of time. It is revealed when the Round starts, and every Match in that Round uses it (T10).
3. The event software shows the active Scoring System, and it is announced before each Match.

Table SC-1: Scoring Systems

Scoring Action	A	B	C	D	E	F
Orbit Ball Scored in the Drop Zone Goal	1	1	5 ▲	1	1	1
Orbit Ball Scored in a matching color Drop Tower Goal	4	3 ▼	5 ▲	7 ▲	4	4
Orbit Ball Scored in a non-matching color Drop Tower Goal	2	1 ▼	3 ▲	2	2	4 ▲
Orbit Ball Scored on a matching color Pole Goal	5	8 ▲	5	5	5	5
Orbit Ball Scored on a non-matching color Pole Goal	3	4 ▲	3	3	3	5 ▲
Cargo Scored on a matching color Cargo Platform Goal	6	6	5 ▼	6	6	6
Cargo Scored on a non-matching color Cargo Platform Goal	4	4	3 ▼	4	4	6 ▲
Goal Bonus: each Goal with a Scored Scoring Object (SC12)	10	10	10	10	7 ▼	10
Ring Tunnel Pass: up to two per Match (SC9)	5	5	5	5	10 ▲	5
Drone Landed on a Field Platform (SC10)	5	5	5	5	8 ▲	5
Obstacle Completion Bonus (SC11)	5	5	5	5	12 ▲	5

▲ = more points than System A. ▼ = fewer points than System A. Values without a mark are the same as System A.

Specific Game Rules

<SG1> Starting a Match. Before the Match starts, each Drone must be:

1. On its own Field Platform, one Drone per Platform. The Red Team and the Blue Team (as listed in the event software) each stand at their own Flight Station, with their own Drone on the Field Platform in front of them.
2. Powered on and in Prop Lock. Teams release their Drones from Prop Lock only when the Head Referee tells them to.

Violation Notes:

1. The Match won’t start until all Drones meet this rule. A Drone that can’t be ready in time is removed from the Field for that Match. This is not a Disqualification, but the Drone doesn’t play.

<SG2> Keep Scoring Objects in the Field. Any Scoring Object that leaves the Field, on purpose or not, stays out for the rest of the Match.

<SG3> A Drone may carry or control an unlimited number of Scoring Objects.

Safety Rules

Safety comes first at all VEX Robotics Competitions. These rules apply at all times, on and off the Field.

<S1> Be safe out there. Everyone at an event must follow the Global Robotics and Science Foundation Safety Policy. Students must stay off the Field Tiles at all times. Only the Head Referee or another event staff member may enter the Field. If a Team acts unsafely, or damages the Field, a Field Element, or a Scoring Object, the Head Referee may give a Disablement and/or Disqualification.

<S2> Students must be accompanied by an Adult. Every Student must be supervised by a responsible Adult who stays for the whole event in case of an emergency. The Adult must follow all rules, including the Student-Centered Policy (G2). Breaking this rule can lead to removal from the event.

<S3> Drones stay inside the Field. If a Drone approaches the edge of the Field during a Match, the Head Referee will give a warning. If the Drone leaves the Field, the Head Referee triggers a Match Hover, Match Abort, or E-Stop depending on the situation.

1. The Head Referee releases the Match Hover once each Pilot has acknowledged it. Any Drone outside the Field then flies straight back over the Field Tiles and lands.
2. A Drone that ends up outside the Field receives a Disablement, whether or not it was warned, and may not fly again that Match. It may be retrieved once the Head Referee says it is safe.
3. A Match ended by a Head Referee triggering a Match Abort or E-Stop is scored as the Field stands when it ends (SC1b). It is not replayed, unless GG7d applies.
4. A Drone brought down by a Match Abort is not Landed, unless it had already landed itself (SC10c).
5. A Team may trigger an E-Stop on its Drone at any time for safety reasons.
6. A Match Abort or a Head Referee E-Stop ends the Match for every Drone on the Field. No Timeout starts, and the Match does not restart. A Team E-Stop stops only that Team’s Drone. The Match continues, and the Drone may fly again once it is recovered.

Violation Notes:

1. A Team E-Stop for a safety reason, such as a Drone heading toward a person or out of the Field, is never a Violation. The Drone may fly again once it is recovered.
2. If the Head Referee decides a Team E-Stop was not for a safety reason, the Drone receives a Disablement. Teams get the benefit of the doubt (G3).

<S4> Wear safety glasses. All Flight Team Members wear eye protection at the Field. Safety glasses with side shields and shatterproof lenses are recommended.

<S5> Hands away when propellers are spinning. If any Drone in the Match is flying or has spinning propellers, no one may touch any Drone, including their own. Wait until all Drones are in Prop Lock (GG11). Everyone steps clear before any Drone is released from Prop Lock.

Violation Notes:

1. A Violation of S5 may escalate to a Disablement or a Disqualification at the Head Referee’s discretion.

<S6> Controllers are tethered to whoever is flying. Every Controller has a lanyard attached. Whoever holds the Controller wears the lanyard whenever the Drone is out of Prop Lock, and before the Drone is released from Prop Lock or takes off. The lanyard from the kit or any other lanyard may be used.

1. Passing the Controller. A Controller may be passed to another Flight Team Member only while the Drone is in Prop Lock, and the new holder puts on the lanyard before the Drone is released from Prop Lock.
2. Inspection. Lanyards are checked at inspection.

Violation Notes:

1. A Drone may not fly until whoever holds its Controller is wearing the lanyard. If the Head Referee sees a Drone flying without the lanyard worn, they may tell the Team to land and enter Prop Lock until it is. Repeated or deliberate Violations may be treated as unsafe under S1.

<S7> Keep at least two feet (60 cm) away from other flying Drones. Two feet is about the width of one Field Tile. The Head Referee warns the Team whose Drone closed the distance. If both Drones closed it, both Teams are warned. A Drone does not receive a Disablement if another Drone’s S7 Violation causes it to leave the Field or be Downed.

1. Never fly directly above or below another flying Drone, even when you are more than two feet away.
2. This rule applies only while both Drones are flying. It does not apply to a Drone on a Field Platform or a Downed Drone.

General Rules

These rules point to Global Robotics and Science Foundation policies: the Code of Conduct, the Student-Centered Policy, and the Student Eligibility Policy. Where this manual summarizes them, the policy itself is the final word.

Report a suspected Violation of any General Rule to the Judge Advisor, Head Referee, or Event Partner. After an investigation with the Global Robotics and Science Foundation and VEX Robotics, the Team may be removed from Matches, lose its Drone Skills scores, and/or lose eligibility for judged awards. Each case is reviewed individually.

<G1> Participants must follow the Code of Conduct. Everyone at an event follows the Code of Conduct.

Violation Notes:

1. Any Violation of G1 may be considered a Major Violation and should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Teams at risk of a G1 Major Violation due to multiple disrespectful or uncivil behaviors will usually receive a “final warning”, although the Head Referee is not required to provide one.

<G2> Participants must follow the Student-Centered Policy. Everyone at an event follows the Student-Centered Policy.

Violation Notes:

1. Potential Violations of this rule will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. By definition, all Violations of this rule become Score Affecting as soon as a Drone which was configured or coded by an Adult scores points in a Match.

<G3> Use common sense. When reading and applying the various rules in this document, please remember that common sense always applies in the VEX AIR Drone Competition.

• If there is an obvious typographical error (such as “per D5” instead of “per G5”), this does not mean that the error should be taken literally until corrected in a future update.
• If no rule prohibits an action, it is generally legal. But if you have to ask whether something breaks S1 or G1, it is probably against the spirit of the competition.
• In general, Teams will be given the “benefit of the doubt” in the case of accidental or edge-case rules infractions. However, there is a limit to this allowance, and repeated or strategic infractions will still be penalized.
• This rule also applies to Drone rules. If a component’s legality cannot be easily/intuitively discerned by the Drone rules as written, then Teams should expect additional scrutiny during inspection. There is a difference between “creativity” and “lawyering.” Basically, if there’s not a rule that makes a part legal, it’s not allowed.

<G4> Students must meet the Student Eligibility Policy requirements. All Student participants must fall within the eligibility requirements set forth in the Student Eligibility Policy for their respective program and have a completed participant release form on file for the event and season.

Violation Notes:

1. Teams believed to be in Violation of this rule should be reported to the Judge Advisor, Head Referee, and/or Event Partner for further investigation in coordination with the Global Robotics and Science Foundation and VEX Robotics and the respective policies. The Team may be removed from further Matches, have their Drone Skills Match scores removed, and/or be removed from consideration for judged awards.

<G5> There is a difference between accidentally and willfully violating a Drone rule. A Team that breaks a Drone rule, on purpose or not, can’t play until its Drone passes inspection (D4). Breaking Drone rules on purpose to get an advantage goes against the spirit of the competition and will result in Disqualification.

Violation Notes:

1. A Team that circumvents a Drone rule for a competitive advantage should receive an immediate Disqualification for the current Match.

General Game Rules

<GG1> Flight Team Members fly their Drones, and stay in the Flight Station. Each Flight Station may have up to two Flight Team Members. The Match will not start while a Flight Station has more than two. Teams may change Flight Team Members between Matches. They stay there for the whole Match, unless they are handling their Drone under GG11. Only Flight Team Members may be in the Flight Station during a Match. Adults may not, except event staff. During a Match, a Drone may be flown only by its Flight Team Members and/or the Drone’s own code.

Violation Notes:

1. A Major Violation of this rule doesn’t have to be Score Affecting, and may also break G1 or G2.

<GG2> A Team’s Drone should attend every Match. A Team’s Drone must come to the Field for each of its scheduled Matches, even if the Drone doesn’t work. If the Drone isn’t at the Field when the Match starts, the Team is a “no-show” and gets zero points. Its partner still plays and scores (see GG12d).

1. Teams are expected to attend all of their Qualification Matches, Alliance Selection, and their Finals Matches if selected. Missing them may break G1.

<GG3> Drones on the Field must be ready to play. A Drone placed on its Field Platform must be ready to go, with a charged Battery and ready for takeoff.

1. Place your Drone promptly. Repeated delays may break G1 and/or get the Drone removed from the Match. The Event Partner and Head Referee decide what “promptly” means, based on the schedule and any past delays.

<GG4> Flight Team Members must be Fit to Fly. Flight Team Members in the Flight Station must be Fit to Fly: focused, ready, calm, safe, prepared, and aware (see the Glossary).

1. The Head Referee may check each Flight Team Member before the Match.
2. A Flight Team Member who the Head Referee determines isn’t Fit to Fly may not fly in that Match. The Team may substitute another eligible Flight Team Member. If no one is available, the Drone may not take off. Repeatedly not being Fit to Fly may break S1.

<GG5> Hands out of the Field. Flight Team Members may not touch Scoring Objects or Field Elements on purpose during a Match. Raise any concerns about the Field setup with the Head Referee before the Match. Never adjust Scoring Objects or Field Elements yourself.

<GG7> Match Replays are allowed, but rare. The Event Partner and Head Referee may replay a Match (play it again from the start) only in extreme cases, such as:

1. A Score Affecting problem with the Field that a Drone didn’t cause, such as:
   1. Scoring Objects not reset properly before the Match.
   2. Field Elements coming loose or moving out of place, not because of a Drone.
2. A Score Affecting game rule problem, such as:
   1. The Field is reset before it is scored.
   2. A Match is run before its scheduled time without a Team.
3. A Match that ends early because of a system fault. A Match that ends by agreement under GG12e, by a Match Abort, or by a Head Referee E-Stop is complete. It is not replayed unless GG7d applies.
4. A Drone brought down for a safety reason that was not its Team’s fault. The Head Referee decides whether the Team was at fault. The Event Partner decides whether to replay the Match.

A Drone that never becomes airborne through its own fault does not warrant a replay; the Match plays as normal, unless the Event Partner and Head Referee find the venue or Field at fault. A replayed Match is scored under the Scoring System of its original Round (see <T10f>).

<GG8> Disqualifications. A Team Disqualified in a Qualification Match gets zero points for that Match. Its partner still gets the Alliance’s points.

1. In a Finals Match, a Disqualification applies to the whole Alliance, which gets zero points.
2. A Team Disqualified in a Drone Skills Match gets zero points.
3. A Disqualification counts only for that Match, unless it comes from a Code of Conduct Violation (G1), which may have event-level consequences.

<GG9> Drones hover at the end of the Match. At 0:00, the Field Control System holds every flying Drone in a hover, unless its Pilot has already triggered landing from the Controller. After the Head Referee checks which Drones are Landed (SC10), they unlock the hovering Drones so Pilots can fly them to the nearest safe, clear location on the Field or Field Platform and land. Don’t touch your Drone or turn off your Controller until the Head Referee has scored the Field and given the all-clear.

<GG10> Downed Drones wait until all Drones are in Prop Lock. A Downed Drone stays where it is until all Drones in the Match are in Prop Lock. The first time that happens, a Timeout starts (GG12) and the Team may retrieve the Drone. If the Drone is not safely reachable from outside the Field, the Head Referee or event staff may retrieve the Drone for the Team (GG11). After the Timeout, the Drone may be retrieved whenever all Drones are in Prop Lock again, but the clock keeps running (GG12a).

Caution

Note: A Drone with a Disablement may be retrieved by the Head Referee or other event staff, but it may not fly again that Match.

<GG11> Handling the Drone mid-Match is allowed only under certain circumstances. Flight Team Members may leave the Flight Station to handle their Drone only when all Drones in the Match are in Prop Lock, and either a Timeout is running (GG12) or the Head Referee has confirmed that all Drones are locked (GG12a). If the Drone is not safely reachable from outside the Field, the Head Referee or event staff may retrieve the Drone for the Team.

While handling a Drone:

• You may change only its Battery, Landing Feet, and Module. Propellers may not be changed during a Match (D11).
• Changing the Battery momentarily disconnects the Drone from the Field Control System. It reconnects on its own when powered back on.
• A Drone you handled must be placed on a Field Platform before it is released from Prop Lock. A Drone you didn’t handle may restart from where it is.
• Flight Team Members return to the Flight Station, and the Head Referee or event staff leaves the Field, before any Team releases its Drone from Prop Lock. No motor starts while anyone is handling a Drone (GG12c).

Violation Notes:

1. Handling a Drone while any Drone is flying, has spinning propellers, or is out of Prop Lock, or releasing a Drone or starting motors while anyone is handling a Drone, is a safety Violation under S1 and S5. It is a Major Violation, and the Head Referee may also give a Disablement. A Student stepping onto the Field Tiles is also a safety Violation under S1.

<GG12> Timeouts start automatically. The first time all Drones in the Match are in Prop Lock, the Field Control System starts a Timeout.

1. One Timeout per Match. If all Drones are in Prop Lock again later, there is no second Timeout and the Match doesn’t end; the clock keeps running. Once the Head Referee confirms all Drones are locked, Teams may handle their Drones (GG11). For example, one Drone crashes, its partner lands and enters Prop Lock, and the crashed Drone is recovered. Play restarts using GG12c.
2. Up to sixty seconds. The Match clock stops and the event software shows a Timeout clock. The Match clock restarts when play resumes (GG12c) or after sixty seconds, whichever comes first. If a Team is still working when time is up, it can keep going under GG11 and GG12a, but the Match clock is running.
3. Restarting play (during a Timeout or with the clock running):
   1. Every Flight Team Member returns to the Flight Station.
   2. Each Team releases its Drone from Prop Lock. The event software shows each Drone’s status.
   3. When all Drones are released and the Head Referee confirms the Field is clear, each Team starts its program, and motor startup is initiated.
   4. The Timeout ends early once every restarting Drone’s motors are fully powered. After the Timeout ends, each Drone can take off as soon as its motors are fully powered.
4. One Drone in the Match. If only one Drone is playing (a no-show under GG2, or a Drone that can’t fly), the Timeout starts the first time that Drone enters Prop Lock. After that, the Team may handle it with the clock running (GG12a) or agree with the Head Referee to end the Match (GG12e).
5. Ending a Match early. Whenever all Drones are in Prop Lock, the Flight Team Members or the Head Referee may suggest ending the Match early, for example when no Drone can fly again. If the Head Referee and the Flight Team Members of every Team agree, event staff end the Match from the event software. It is scored as the Field stands (SC1b) and is not replayed (GG7c). Without that agreement, the Match runs to 0:00.