2012 Rebound Rumble

The Rebound Rumble SM robotics game is played between two Alliances of three teams each. Each Alliance competes by trying to score as many of the basketballs in the hoops as possible during the 2-minute and 15-second match. Balls scored in higher hoops score Alliances more points. Alliances are awarded bonus points if they are balanced on bridges at the end of the match. In matches where opponent Alliances work together to balance on the white bridge, all participating teams earn additional valuable seeding points.

The Field
Rebound Rumble is played on a 27-foot by 54-foot field, called the arena.  Tape of the appropriate color designates where each alliance’s alley and key is located.  In these areas the alliance of the matching color cannot be interfered with by robots of the opposing alliance, in it they are safe.  Spanning the center of the arena is the barrier that robots may traverse, adding difficulty to the game.  If a robot doesn’t want to brave the barrier then there are three bridges over it.  The red and blue bridges can only be used by a robot of the same alliance color.  The middle bridge is the coopertition bridge, and can be used by any robot.  At both ends of the arena are four colored hoops at three different heights, and only a robot of the appropriate alliance can score in them.  Behind the hoops on each side are the alliance stations, where teams operate their robots.

The Scoring
In Rebound Rumble the points are calculated during the match, so at the end of the match the total score for each alliance will be displayed.  The total includes all of the points scored by the robots, the additional points from balancing in the final 30 seconds and any points from fouls.  In Rebound Rumble fouls give points to the other alliance, the amount varying depending on the severity of the foul. In the end the alliance with the largest point total wins. The basket scoring range based on the location of the basket. The top basket, the alliance will receive three points, the middle two points and the lowest level the alliance will receive one point. Bridge scoring happens in the last 30 seconds. Alliance who are able to balance one robot will receive 10 points, two robots 20 points and three robots 20 points (40 points in elimination matches).

The Game Pieces
Rebound Rumble is played using special FIRST basketballs. The basketballs are 8 inches in diameter and made of compact foam and each ball has the FIRST logo on the front.  Each robot is allowed to hold up to three of these balls at any one time.

Hybrid Period
During the first 15 seconds of the match the drivers are not allowed to control their robots.  Instead each alliance may chose a single human player from one of their three alliance teams to use the Microsoft Kinect provided for each alliance.  This human player interacts with the Kinect and uses it to control a single robot from their alliance.  During this time any baskets scored by a robot will receive a three point bonus.

Teleoperated Period
After the autonomous period drivers assume control of their robots.  Teams are then able to score by getting the basketballs through the hoops. In the final 30 seconds of the match, teams can gain extra points by balancing their robots on the bridges in the middle of the court.  Robots from both alliances can balance on the coopertition bridge, which will give the balancing robot’s alliances more points towards their qualification points for the tournament.