The answer to this situation is found in the Robot Game - Field Setup instructions, specifically in step 3 on page 8. http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Challenge/FLL_WORLD_CLASS/FLL-WORLD-CLASS-Challenge-FINAL-v2.pdf

Remember that all of the tournament tables will all be setup with these specific instructions. I highly encourage your team (not just you) to:
1) Read all of the FLL-provided instructions and become familiar with them
2) Read and understand all of the robot game updates
3) Set your field exactly as described and follow all of the instructions as provided by FIRST

Field Mat Placement
Step 1 - Vacuum the table top. Even the tiniest particle under the mat can give the robot trouble. After vacuuming, run your
hand over the surface and sand or file down any protruding imperfections you find. Then vacuum again.

Step 2 - On the vacuumed surface (never unroll the mat in an area where it could pick up particles), unroll the mat so the
image is up and its north edge is near the north/double border wall (note the location of the double wall in each table sketch
below). BE VERY CAREFUL TO NOT LET THE MAT KINK (BEND IN TWO DIRECTIONS AT ONCE).

Step 3 - The mat is smaller than the playing surface by design. Slide and align it so that there is no gap between the south
edge of the mat and the south border wall. Center the mat in the east-west direction (look for equal gaps at left and right).

Step 4 - With help from others, pull the mat at opposite ends and massage out any waviness away from the center and re-
check the requirement of Step 3. It is expected that some waviness will persist, but that should relax over time. Some teams
use a hair dryer to speed the relaxation of the waviness.

Step 5 - OPTIONAL – To hold the mat in place, you may use a thin strip of black tape at the east and west ends. Where
the tape sticks to the mat, it may cover the mat’s black border only. Where the tape sticks to the table, it may stick to the
horizontal surface only, and not the walls.

Step 6 - For a competition setup, dummy walls are not needed. Secure two tables north-to-north. The total span of border
between two tables must measure between 3" (76mm) and 4" (100mm).


On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 11:18 AM, Swayne, Nick - swaynedd <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
The variability rule addresses this globally but specifically the guidance on mat placement has been to make it flush with the south wall and centered east-west.  I don't think that will change but we'll have to wait until the official rules come out to see.

Nick

-----Original Message-----
From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rick Fontanilla
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Is Field Mat Shorter than Table?

We recently set up our Field Mat on our FLL table and we noticed it is short on the East-West length.  We have about a 3/4 inch gap at the end.  I checked our table measurements and it is correct based on table building instructions.  Has anyone else noticed this and what is the official rule for lining up the field mat?  Should it be flush against the West and South walls?
This will make a difference if we use the walls as reference points.

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