Micro Futsal (En)

1. Categories / Participants

1.1 Each robot team consists of 2 -3 members, with at least 2 robots and no more than 3 robots per team.

1.2 Each team may have one advisor/teacher (optional).

1.3 The competition consists of 1 categories:

• 1.3.1 Student Category: For participants aged 8 to 18 years.

2.1 The competition field has a flat surface, measuring 2.4 centimeters wide and 4.8 centimeters long.

2.2 The inner playing surface consists of green carpet, measuring 38 x 64 centimeters.

2.3 The playing area is enclosed by 5-centimeter-high barriers to prevent balls from exiting the field.

2.4 The area surrounding the playing surface is white or another clearly distinguishable color, different from green.

2.4 The playing field has clearly marked boundaries in white or a distinctly different color from green.

2.4 A central dividing line in white, clearly visible, divides the field into two equal halves.

2.5 The central circle has a diameter of 14 centimeters, marking the starting zone for the ball.

2.6 Each goal has external dimensions of 14 centimeters wide, 10 centimeters high, and 8 centimeters deep.

2.7 The ball used in the competition is approximately standard size ping-pong ball (approximately 40 millimeters diameter and weighing 2.7 grams).

3. Robot Specifications

3.1 Each robot must not exceed dimensions of 5 x 5 centimeters with a maximum height of 8 centimeters, and must fit within the provided 5 x 5 x 8-centimeter box before competition begins.

3.2 There is no restriction on the type, brand, structural design, battery voltage, or current rating of control boards used.

3.3 External motor-driver boards are permitted.

3.4 Each robot must weigh no more than 80 grams (excluding remote controllers).

3.5 There are no restrictions on the number or type of motors used.

3.6 Robots must move exclusively using wheels.

3.7 Robots may expand during competition, provided expanded dimensions do not exceed 7 x 7 centimeters with a maximum height of 10 centimeters. Robots may not separate into multiple units.

3.8 No restriction on the origin or quantity of mechanical parts and components. Parts may be self-made, 3D-printed, or adapted from toys or other sources, provided they pose no risk of harm to the playing field or participants.

3.9 Screws, bolts, and other fastening devices must be securely attached. If parts detach or break during competition, judges will remove them from the field but bear no responsibility for any consequences resulting from such removal.

4.Prohibited Actions in Robot Construction

4.1 No component or equipment installed on the robot may cause damage to the playing field.

4.2 No blades or sharp objects of any kind may be installed on robots.

4.3 Robots may not have inclined panels similar to those found on sumo robots.

4.4 Robots may not throw or shoot parts or materials, except for kicking or shooting the competition ball.

4.5 Robots may not have any mechanism specifically designed to grip, hold, or secure the ball.

4.6 Ball-supporting components must have fixed dimensions and shape, must not be flexible or deformable during the match, and must remain firmly attached unless broken unintentionally.

5 Competition Format 

5.1 Each match consists of two halves, each lasting 2 minutes, with a break between halves not exceeding 1 minute.

5.2 The competition is divided into two stages:

• Stage 1: Teams are divided into 4 groups (A, B, C, D) of 4 teams each, competing in round-robin format within their groups. The top two teams from each group advance to Stage 2.
• Stage 2: Group winners play against runners-up from other groups to select the 4 finalists.

5.3 If teams tie on points, goal difference will decide ranking. If still tied, an extra playoff match will be held.

5.4 Teams eliminated in Stage 2 receive the 4th runner-up award (total 4 teams).

5.5 If a match in Stage 2 ends in a draw, a Golden Goal period of two 3-minute halves will determine the winner. The team scoring first wins immediately.

5.6 If still tied after Golden Goal, the team with lighter total robot weight (as recorded before competition) wins.

6. Semi-Finals

6.1 Four semi-finalists draw lots to decide matchups, with winners proceeding to the final round.

6.2 Semi-final losers compete to determine 3rd and 4th places.

6.3 In case of a tie, follow rules 5.5 and 5.6.

7.Finals

7.1 The final determines the competition champion and runner-up.

7.2 In case of a tie, follow rules 5.5 and 5.6.

8.Starting Matches

8.1Upon judges’ signal, competitors have 3 minutes to present robots for inspection. Non-compliant robots may be corrected within the allotted time. Teams previously notifying judges of conflicting schedules may delay their matches accordingly, subject to time constraints.

8.2 Judges perform a coin toss to determine starting sides or first possession. 

8.3 Teams position robots in their respective halves, outside the center circle. Each team may have up to 3 robots actively on the field. Remaining robots are substitutes. The team starting the match places one robot inside the center circle to begin play.

8.4 Upon the judge’s signal, the match begins when the designated robot touches the ball.

9. Scoring Goals

A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses into the goal and touches the ground within the goal area. The team conceding the goal loses 1 point to the opponent.

10. Ball Possession

Robots must not grip, hold, or lift the ball. Supporting mechanisms must cover less than 50% of the ball and may not use the playing field as support.

11. Stopping and Resuming Matches

11.1 When the ball goes out of bounds along the side of the field, the team not last touching the ball will wait at the spot designated by the referee, who will drop the ball back onto the field. The timer will be paused while retrieving the ball and resumed once the ball touches the field.

11.2 When the ball goes out of bounds behind the goal line:

• If the attacking team last touched the ball, the defending team will restart play by kicking the ball from the corner on the side where the ball exited. The match timer continues running.
• If the defending team last touched the ball, their robots must move behind the penalty spot line. The attacking team then restarts play from within the marked goal-area boundary in front of the goal.

11.3 After a goal is scored, the team conceding the goal will restart the game from inside the center circle. The match timer is paused and resumes once the ball begins moving.

11.4 If a competitor manually touches their robot during play without the referee’s permission, that robot must be removed from the match immediately.

11.5 Each team may request to repair their robots up to 2 times per half, upon notifying the referee. If the referee determines that the damaged robot is outside critical gameplay areas, they will signal for it to be taken off-field for repair while the match continues. Repaired robots may only return to the match by being placed next to their own goal area when the ball is outside their team’s half.

11.6 If a robot flips upside-down or falls on its side, competitors must inform an assistant referee, who will reposition the robot safely and appropriately, prioritizing safety.

11.7 Teams are allowed two robot substitutions per match. Substitution requests must be signaled clearly to the referee. Substitutions may occur only when the ball is out of play or after a goal is scored.

12.Match Ending Conditions 

Matches conclude under the following circumstances:

12.1 Time expires

12.2 Voluntary forfeiture

12.3 Robot accident posing safety risks (forfeiture)

12.4 A team reduced to a single robot

12.5 One team reaches 10 goals, winning immediately

13.Violations

Participants violating any conditions outlined in Section 4, 13.1, or 13.2 will be considered as committing rule violations.   

13.1   Participants displaying disrespectful or insulting behavior toward opponents—whether verbally, physically, or by causing robots to emit sounds, display messages, or gestures deemed disrespectful—will be penalized. This also includes any disrespectful gestures, actions, or language towards the referees or their decisions

13.2 The following actions will also be considered violations

• 13.2.1Interfering with the operation of an opponent’s robot (e.g., intentionally transmitting radio signals to disrupt an opponent’s remote control)

• 13.2.2Entering the competition area during a match

• 13.2.3 Throwing or placing any components or equipment onto the playing field during a match.

• 13.2.4 Causing the match to be halted unnecessarily or without valid reason.

• 13.2.5 Performing any disrespectful actions harmful to the competition’s integrity.

• 13.2.6 Replacing batteries before the end of each half of the match.
• 13.2.7 Intentionally delaying the game to prevent it from progressing.

13.3 Any team coach, supervisor, or guardian disrupting the competition or demonstrating inappropriate behavior—verbally or through actions—will also be considered in violation of the rules.

14. Penalties  

14.1 Any violation of Rule 13.1 will result in the offending team forfeiting the match. If the violation is committed by the team supervisor or coach, all teams under their supervision will be disqualified and removed entirely from the competition.

14.2 Violations of Rule 13.2 will result in one point awarded to the opposing team. If the violation is committed by the team supervisor or coach, all teams under their supervision will be disqualified and removed entirely from the competition.

14.3Teams violating Rule 13.2.6 will have the offending robot removed from the ongoing match and banned from participating in the subsequent match.

14.4 Any team supervisor, coach, or guardian committing violations under Rules 13.1, 13.2, or 13.3 will be asked to leave the competition venue. Continued non-compliance will result in disqualification of all affiliated teams and the revocation of awards earned in completed events.

15. Damage and Accidents During Competition

15.1 Competitors may request to stop the match if their robot sustains damage or encounters an accident that prevents further participation.

16. Robot Identification

All participating robots must have their names or identification numbers clearly and visibly displayed on their bodies throughout the duration of the competition.

Awards

1.Champion (1 team) – Receives a trophy and a certificate of achievement.

2.First Runner-up (1 team) – Receives a trophy and a certificate of achievement.

3.Second Runner-up (1 team) – Receives a trophy and a certificate of achievement.

4.Third Runner-up (1 team) – Receives a trophy and a certificate of achievement.

5.Fourth Runner-up (4 teams) – Each team receives a trophy and a certificate of achievement.