Sportsman Classes
What are Sportsman Robots?
Sportsman-class robots require an an active weapon, but limit the destructive power of the weapon to make them easier to build and easier to contain within arenas, and to increase the chances that the robots won't be completely destroyed in their matches. Requiring a weapon discourages slow wedge-on-wedge matches and is meant to make matches more exciting and entertaining. Lifters, hammers, and low KE (kinetic energy) saw blades are common in the class, but pneumatic flippers and crushers are also allowed.
The most common weight class for Sportsman robots is 30 pounds, but some events run 12 pound versions of the class and other heavier weights have been tried as well. The Sportsman class can be a great entry point to building your own large robot! Take a look at the Events page to steer you to events that run Sportsman class competitions.
"Sportsman" may sometimes be confusingly used to describe a non-destructive class (no chopping, sawing/cutting or crushing), but a non-destructive combat class match normally allows a bot to have wedge(s) without an active weapon. Be sure to talk to your Local Groups to see if they have variations on the standard rule set at SPARC. The event organizer's ultimate goal is to provide a safe and fun place for people to play with their robots.