Overview:

Overdrive is a game played on the TRACK. Two ALLIANCES, one red and one blue, composed of three teams each, compete in each MATCH. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by making counter-clockwise laps with your robot around the TRACK while moving large TRACKBALLS over and/or under the
OVERPASS that bisects the TRACK. The point values for each of those actions are explained below.

Game Animation:

ALLIANCE: A set of three FIRST Robotics Competition TEAMS that work together during a MATCH to play FIRST Overdrive against an opposing ALLIANCE. ALLIANCES are identified during the MATCH by their assigned color, either red or blue.

BUMPER ZONE: The volume between two planes parallel to the floor, the lower being 2-1/2 inches above the floor, and the upper being 8-1/2 inches above the floor. The BUMPER ZONE is defined with respect to the ROBOT when in its PLAYING CONFIGURATION.

CROSSING: The act of a TRCKBALL or ROBOT passing through the plane defined by a line (i.e. LANE MARKER or FINISH LINE) when it is projected vertically upwards. A TRACKBALL or ROBOT shall have CROSSED a line when all parts of the object, while traveling in a counterclockwise direction, have comp letely passed through the plane.

HERDING: Controlling the position and movement of a TRACKBALL while the TRACKBALL is not supported by any ROBOT (i.e. supported by the TRACK or other TRACKBALLS) shall be considered HERDING. Both continuous and intermittent contact between the ROBOT and TRACKBALL are permissible methods of HERDING. E.g. bumping, plowing or dribbling a TRACKBALL around the TRACK are all considered forms of HERDING.

HURDLE: When a TRACKBALL CROSSES a FINISH LINE while passing above the OVERPASS and then contacts either the floor or another ROBOT before re-contacting the originating ROBOT.

HURDLING: The act of completing a HURDLE. To be considered in the process of HURDLING, the ROBOT must:
• be in its own HOME STRETCH, and
• be in POSSESSION of a TRACKBALL, and
• be moving toward the OVERPASS and/or elevating the TRACKBALL so that the top of the TRACKBALL is higher than the LANE DIVIDER.

IMPEDING: Preventing or obstructing an opposing ROBOT’S ability to proceed around the TRACK in the direction of traffic.

MATCH: A single iteration of play in which ALLIANCES attempt to complete the goals of the FIRST Overdrive game during a competition.

PENALTY: A 10-point decrement in the ALLIANCE score assigned when a deserving violation of the game rules has been identified by a REFEREE.

POSSESSION: Controlling the position and movement of a TRACKBALL while the TRACKBALL is supported or captured by an ALLIANCE shall be considered POSSESSION of the TRACKBALL. A TRACKBALL shall be considered “supported” by a ROBOT if in the estimation of a reasonably astute observer the majority of the weight of the TRACKBALL is being borne by the ROBOT. A TRACKBALL shall be considered “captured” by a ROBOT if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the TRACKBALL remains in approximately the same
position relative to the ROBOT. Both the “supported” and “captured” conditions include the case where the TRACKBALL is also in contact with the floor.

REFEREES: The certified volunteers led by the Head Referee, responsible for assisting teams, monitoring game play, and enforcing the FIRST Overdrive rules.

ROBOT: Anything that has passed ROBOT inspection that a TEAM places on the TRACK prior to the start of a MATCH.

SIGNALING DEVICE: Any equipment used by a ROBOCOACH to provide external stimuli to the ROBOT.

TEAM: Four representatives from a registered FIRST Robotics Competition team that interact with their robot and their ALLIANCE partners to play FIRST Overdrive. The positions on the TEAM include:
•COACH: A student or adult mentor designated as the team advisor during the MATCH and identified as the person wearing a "COACH" pin or button. There is one COACH per TEAM.
•DRIVER: A pre-college student team member responsible for operating and controlling the ROBOT. There are two DRIVERS per TEAM.
•ROBOCOACH: A pre-college student team member designated as the only team member permitted to provide external stimuli to the ROBOT from either of the two ALLIANCE
•ROBOCOACH STATIONS. There is one ROBOCOACH per TEAM.

Game Periods:

HYBRID PERIOD: The HYBRID PERIOD is the 15-second period at the start of the MATCH. Driver control of the ROBOT is not permitted at this time. During this period, the ROBOTS may react only to sensor inputs and commands programmed into the onboard control system. The only external signals that may be received by the ROBOT are those sent from ALLIANCE ROBOCOACHES. No external signals are permitted from any other source. The ROBOT may react to no more than four distinct external commands provided by the ROBOCOACH. All ROBOT safety rules are still applicable during the HYBRID PERIOD. The HYBRID PERIOD ends when the arena timer displays zero seconds left in the period.

TELEOPERATED PERIOD – The TELEOPERATED PERIOD is the 2-minute period of game play immediately following the HYBRID PERIOD. At the beginning of the TELEOPERATED PERIOD the OPERATOR CONSOLE controls are activated and DRIVERS may remotely control their ROBOTS. The DRIVERS continue to teleoperate their ROBOTS for the remainder of the MATCH. ROBOCOACHES may continue to signal the ROBOT. The TELEOPERATED PERIOD ends when the arena timer displays zero seconds.  This also indicates the end of the MATCH.

**From 2008 FIRST Robotics Competition Manual © 2008 US FIRST**