Knocking over tubes and <G09>

[FRC1276]

If a robot was to drive along an alliance station wall, knocking over ringers as it went, would the contact with the game pieces on the floor (that the robot has knocked down) be considered "inadvertant", assuming the robot is not attempting to herd them?

<G09> POSSESSION - ROBOTS may only have 1 (one) GAME PIECE in their POSSESSION at any time during the match. A 10-point penalty will be assessed for each infraction. Inadvertent bulldozing of GAME PIECES while the ROBOT moves around the field is allowed. Controlled "herding" of a single GAME PIECE lying on the floor is permitted as long as no other GAME PIECE is in the POSSESSION of the ROBOT. Herding of multiple GAME PIECES, or herding of a GAME PIECE on the floor while in POSSESSION of another GAME PIECE is not permitted (as this would be considered POSSESSION of more than one GAME PIECE). GAME PIECES may fall on to a ROBOT during the course of normal game play (e.g. a RINGER falls on a ROBOT while attempting to HANG it on a Spider Leg). In such cases, GAME PIECES that are already in the POSSESSION of the ROBOT may be played. However, the additional GAME PIECE must be removed from the ROBOT (either by the ROBOT or by an ALLIANCE partner) before it can POSSESS a new GAME PIECE. GAME PIECES may not be intentionally placed on opposing ROBOTS for the purpose of causing a violation of this rule. Any such GAME PIECE placements will not be considered in POSSESSION of the affected ROBOT, and will be ignored.

[GDC]

Driving down the length of the Alliance Station Wall, disrupting the location of oppnent Ringers, is a permissible action. However, if multiple Ringers are pushed together toward a common location (e.g. pushed into a corner of the field) the action will be considered "herding" and a violation of Rule <G09>.