Description:
This is a construction event. Prior to the competition teams will build and test a device capable of launching a projectile at 2 targets whose distance will not be known until after devices have been impounded. Teams must also prepare a data set containing 4 graphs that corresponds to their device. At the competition teams will be given 10 minutes to set up their device and attempt up to 4 launches (2 at each target). **THIS IS AN IMPOUND EVENT**
Materials:
Teams MUST bring high-impact safety goggles (ANSI Z87+), their device, graphs, and projectiles.
Event Leaders will provide the testing area, targets, bucket, measuring apparatus and the official scoresheet.
Scoring:
Low score wins. The better of 2 launches will be used for the near and far targets. Points are given for distance from the target (a hit dead center would earn 0 points) and graph quality (400 initial points are reduced potentially to 0 by the quality of up to 4 graphs).
New for 2010: The Bucket
If a team hits the target on either of their first attempts, they may request a bucket shot for the 2nd attempt. A bucket shot is a 1-5 gallon bucket placed in the target field by the event leader that may be up to 2 meters off center in either direction. The bucket distance and size will be announced along with the target distances and height prior to the start of the competition once impound is done. If a team requests a bucket shot for their second attempt, the bucket will be placed in the target field at the announced distance. It will ONLY be placed if it is requested to avoid becoming an obstacle for regular target shots.
The benefit of a bucket shot is the potential for an additional 100 points to be taken off a team's score if the projectile lands AND STAYS in the bucket, or 50 points if the projectile lands in the bucket and then bounces out. The drawback of a bucket shot is that teams who attempt it lose their 3rd and/or 4th tiebreakers, and the chance for a more accurate target shot on the second attempt.
Bucket shots are all or nothing. Either a team lands in the bucket and get the 100 or 50 point deduction bonus, or they miss and get nothing. Bucket misses are not measured, only the hit or miss matters.
About the Graphs:
- NEW for 2010: While 4 graphs are still required to be turned in, event leaders will select at random one of the four to be scored. The score for that 1 graph will then be multiplied by the number of graphs turned in (up to 4 max) for the total graph score.
- PUT YOUR TEAM NAME ON YOUR GRAPHS. Pages without team names will NOT be considered for scoring!
- Teams must identify which graphs are to be used for the graph score if more than 4 are impounded. One way to do this is to label them 1-4.
- Each graph must have a corresponding data table, and the graph and corresponding data table must BOTH appear on the same side of a single sheet of paper. Each graph and data table pair must be on their own page, which means teams should be turning in 4 separate pages.
- Graphs are intended to help calibrate a team's device. Teams should choose parameters of their device to test for each graph. Examples are testing each device setting with varying type of projectile, varying target height (increments given in official rules), varying type of non-metallic elastic, or any number of other options that may be specific to a particular device.
- See a sample data table and graph
Common Mistakes:
- Many teams get caught up in the excitement of competition and forget to notify event leaders before one or more of their launches. This is a penalty easily avoided! Be careful.
- Projectiles MUST be impounded with the device! Several teams made this mistake in 2009. Teams that fail to impound their projectile will be placed in a lower tier.
- Remember, devices must be triggered from outside of the launch box! Teams who do not have a string or some other means of remotely triggering their device will be given a DQ. DQ's for safety issues will NOT be arbitrated.
Event Resources:
2009 Coaches Institue Presentation (2010 rules)
2007 Coaches Institute Presentation (2008 rules)
Picture and Video:
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