Overview:

RACK ‘N’ ROLL is a game played by two alliances, one red and one blue, consisting of three robots each. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent ALLIANCE by placing pool inner tube GAME PIECES of varying types, on the center structure (the RACK), and/or by having ROBOTS in their HOME ZONE and not in contact with the mat of the playing field at the end of the match. Below is the official game animation from FIRST.

Game Animation:

;Animation © 2007 US FIRST

Definitions:

ALLIANCE: a set of three teams that work together during a match to play Rack ‘n’ Roll against an opposing ALLIANCE. ALLIANCES are identified during the match by a flag indicating their assigned color, either red or blue.

HANGING: a GAME PIECE is considered HANGING if the possessing robot has completely released it and it’s weight is fully supported by a SPIDER LEG, not by the SPIDER FOOT.

POSSESSION: a GAME PIECE is considered in the POSSESSION of a ROBOT if it is being fully supported by the ROBOT, or the robot is controlling the position and movement of the GAME PIECE.

ROW: a set of SPIDER LEGS that are SCORED for the same ALLIANCE and are adjacent and aligned either vertically or horizontally.

SCORED: a SPIDER LEG is considered scored if one or two GAME PIECES are HANGI NG on it in a legal configuration. Based on the rules of GAME PIECE configuration, the SPIDER LEG may be considered “Red,” “Blue,” or “Null.”

SINGLETON: a SPIDER LEG that has been SCORED but is not part of a ROW.

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.

DRIVER: a pre-college student team member responsible for operating and controlling the robot.

HUMAN PLAYER: a pre-college student team member designated as the only member permitted to enter GAME PIECES onto the field.

Game Periods:

AUTONOMOUS PERIOD: The 15-second period at the start of the match in which human control is not permitted. The robot may react only to sensor inputs and commands programmed into the onboard control system.

TELEOPERATED PERIOD: A 2-minute period during which Alliance Station controls are activated and the DRIVERS remotely control their ROBOTS. This period continues to the end of the match.

END GAME: The final 15 seconds of the TELEOPERATED PERIOD, during which no robot may be in the opposing ALLIANCE HOME ZONE. The intent of this period is to permit ALLIANCES to attempt to score bonus points without interference. (An audio signal will sound five seconds before the start of END GAME and another at the start of END GAME.)