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Breakaway
Official game info on usfirst.org
Also, check out our completely interactive simulation of Breakaway at stuypulse.com/field_2010!
Breakaway is the 2010 FRC game played similar to soccer. The game is played in a 27 by 54 feet field with two alliances of three teams each. Two bumps extend across the width of the field, diving it into three zones, with two robots from different alliances placed in each zone. Two towers stand upwards in the center of the bumps with a tunnel under each tower. Robots play with standard soccer balls, scoring a point each time a ball goes into one of the two goals on the robot's team's side of the field. Cameras are allowed on robots to target the goals, allowing them to aim at the goal from any where on the field. In addition to earning points through scoring balls in the corner goals, robots can earn points by lifting themselves up onto the towers during the last seconds of the game, and for an added bonus can even hang on to each other.
The Breakaway field as seen in the FIRST game video
This game provides many interesting challenges. The most obvious one is basic to soccer: how to kick the ball. Teams have a variety of ideas to choose from, ranging from spring kickers to pnuematic punchers. However, teams must also keep in mind the varying kicking strategies that depend on which zone the robot is in. Also, teams must think carefully about hanging mechanisms and how they will interfere with the field, robots, and alliance partners.
Competitions start March 4th, 2010. Stuypulse will be attending the New York Regional at the Jacob Javits Center from March 12-14 as well as the Hartford Regional from April 1-3. We'll see you there!