November Mission Model Discussion: PENALTIES

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

At the Beginning of the Match: The referee will hold all of the penalty markers.
Receipt of Penalty: Your team will receive a penalty if they Interrupt the Robot as defined in R14:
If your team touches the robot outside of base, the team must pick it up and return it to base. One penalty token will be added to the white corner in the Southeast corner of the field.
Maximum Number: Your team may receive up to 6 penalties in each 2.5-minute robot game run.
Score: -5 Points
Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom:  You may receive up to six penalties for Interrupting the Robot. After six penalties, the match can continue with no additional penalties assessed.

Robot Game Update #1 (updated) Leniency for Rule R14 “Interrupting” while Transporting an object: “If you Interrupt the Robot while it’s Transporting something that came from Base during the most recent Launch, you may keep that thing.” 

Discussion: Taking a penalty is not always a negative thing. Can you think of a strategy where you would benefit from taking a penalty? When is a time that you should absolutely NOT take a penalty?