MiniSumo Tournament Rules

[slurp]

Broadly inline with other national rules, MiniSumo.Org.UK has published MiniSumo Tournament Rules.

http://www.minisumo.org.uk/rules.php

These are to fix rules for MiniSumo.Org.UK events and offer UK rules for others to use. They do not yet reflect UK regulations for Radio Controlled devices, as such they are currently restricted to autonomus minisumo.

Your comments and constructive criticism is welcomed, this forum is presented as the channel for public discussion.

best regards,
colin

[slurp]

The initial intension was to use this section of the forum to discuss UK Tournament Rules but I've adjusted the naming and discription to reflect discussion of rules more generally.

While rules are broadly similar I recognise that rules are always going to be event specific regulations... It's always going to be the case that the organiser reserves the right to run their competition there way.

best regards,
Colin

[RiO]

I have a few coments based on my recent RobotChallenge experience:

"The starting lines ("Sikiri-Sen") are indicated as two brown lines with a width of 1 cm and a length of 10 cm. Each line is located 5 cm from the center of the Dohyo."

- at RobotChallenge the lines were thick enough to create problems for bots with low and sharp scoops. Would you want to specify that the lines should be painted over and not glued.

# A game consists of three matches of three minutes each.

- 3 rounds leave too much space for random factors. for the finals you may want to run at least 5 rounds, or fight until score difference of 3+ points.

With a autonomous robots, the contestant presses the start button, and exits the Dohyo, on the robot at the referee's signal. The match begins when the robot begins action (after 5 seconds).

- with higher speed bots, a split second difference in the beginnig of the movement may mean winning or losing the match. Shall we consider some automated simultaneous start?

[slurp]

I think that RiO has some good and valid points but there are a couple of items of contension and worthy of dicussion - they may not lead to rule changes but better guidance on application of rules or organisation and running of competitions. I would suggest that Tournament Committee should be read as Tournament Organiser... the whole competition is run within their discression and judgement - I'd suggest that it's published too!

"The starting lines ("Sikiri-Sen") are indicated as two brown lines with a width of 1 cm and a length of 10 cm. Each line is located 5 cm from the center of the Dohyo."

- at RobotChallenge the lines were thick enough to create problems for bots with low and sharp scoops. Would you want to specify that the lines should be painted over and not glued.

In terms of sharp scoops is there an argument that any particular minisumo breaches it restrictions? The robot must not include any parts that might damage or deface the Dohyo. most rules are clear on sharp edges - it seems we haven't been here.

I'm fairly clear that both the starting lines and the border lines should be as flat as possible but did note that spray painted lines can still present an edge if the masking and painting is poor. I believe we need to educate the dohyo builders, a definition of flat could be difficult.

3 rounds leave too much space for random factors. for the finals you may want to run at least 5 rounds, or fight until score difference of 3+ points.

3 rounds, 5 round, 7 rounds.... all could be problematic if design is poor - the basis is equal for all competitors. Atheletes try to prepare to be their best on the day but it doesn't alway work out. If an organiser wishes to use a different number of rounds then it is their call, I don't see a great need to adjust the format.

I think that the Robot Challenge gave a good ballance using leagues for the first rounds before moving into an elimination round. The draw for the league will always be the contention point, especially where there are varied skills and complexities.

with higher speed bots, a split second difference in the beginnig of the movement may mean winning or losing the match. Shall we consider some automated simultaneous start?

This may be an option for the expert but the complexity could preclude a number of novices. I'd suggest that this is again presented by a competition organiser in their proposal for any given competition. I'd also suggest that a weigh-in and size check includes a verification of timer... 4.7 seconds vs. a 5 second timer will give just as much edge as three two one countdown and split second button press.

best regards,
Colin