Overdrive is played on a 27' x 54' rectangular Track with a 6 1/2-foot tall Overpass spanning the center. There are two alliances with three teams each that compete in each match. Four "Trackballs" (2 Red & 2 Blue) sit on top of the Overpass. The Track is split lengthwise into Red & Blue lanes to correspond with the team alliances that play the game. A new position added this year is the Robocoach. The Robocoach stations are located at the - corners of the Track. The Robocoaches send signals to robots on their respective alliances. The Robots start along the wall in their alliance home stretch and must fit in a 28" x 38" x 60" starting configuration. The ROBOTS can only weigh 120 pounds, extend 80" horizontally in game play and have no height restrictions once the match has started. Bumpers are required, but they are not included in the starting dimensions or weight restriction.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by making counter-clockwise laps with your robot around the track while moving large trackballs over and/or under the overpass. The game has two scoring periods. The first period is "Hybrid" (robots run without driver control and is only allowed to react to sensor inputs and commands programmed into the onboard control system) lasting 15-seconds.The only external signals that can be received are from the Alliance Robocoaches. The robots may react to no more than four distinct external signals provided by the Robocoach. The robots can score points by crossing any of the four lane dividers, knocking down a trackball, herding the trackball under the overpass, or hurdling the trackball over the overpass.

The second "Teleoperated" period is 2-minutes in length, which immediately follows the Hybrid period. At the start of this period drivers will assume control of their robots and try to score as many points as possible by hurdling the trackballs over the overpass, herding them under the overpass, and/or racing around the track. Alliances may score bonus points at the end of the match if they place their trackballs on the overpass and keep them there at the end of the scoring period.