NHRL Rules & Regulations

Competition Basics

NHRL’s rule set encourages creative designs; fun, exciting fights; and a level playing field for all competitors. The spirit of the rules is more important than the letter of the law and good sportsmanship is always required.

Bots go head-to-head in an enclosed cage with the goal of knocking each other out of commission. Robots are given three minutes in each round, during which either one of the robots "taps out", is knocked out or the clock runs out, and goes to a judges' decision. Builders repair their robots between each match until they’re eliminated, or crowned the champion.

FULL RULES & REGULATIONS

Fight Basics

  1. 3 Minute Matches
  2. Judges decision for fights that go the full 3 minutes
  3. All robots must pass a radio fail safe test

Format Basics

  1. Tournaments feature 3 weight classes; 3 pounds, 12 pounds, and 30 pounds
  2. Tournaments start with a preliminary round. All competitors will be seeded into a single-elimination bracket based on the result of their preliminary round fight.
  3. The winner and runner up both win cash prizes!

Safety Basics

  1. All robots must have a weapon lock that prevents any spinning weapons from moving outside of the cage
  2. All robots must have a way to turn off power without disassembling the robot
  3. All robots must pass a radio fail safe test

Full Rules & Regulations