⚡Scholar Quiz Rules⚡

This contest is a fun and exciting way for Sea Kings to show off your talents as a scholar in a wide range of topics.

However, with the spirit of competition there are some regulations:

Setup

• Only provided materials on players’ desks. No cell phones, smart watches, calculators, or other devices.

Forfeits

• Being more than 5 minutes late to the assigned room is a forfeit
• Playing with fewer than 4 approved players* is a forfeit    (*See “Players/Alternates”)
• Playing the tournament with more than 5 total players*    (*See “Players/Alternates”)
• In the case of a forfeit, the match may still be played for fun, but regardless of the outcome, only the team in good standing will advance

Rules of Answering

• To answer, be first player to raise paddle
• Wait to be called on by the judge Ex: “Red 1” “Black 4”
• A “break” or flip of the wrist counts as a paddle raise even if the paddle is not fully raised. Be intentional.
• Do not raise the paddle and then stall to answer. No immediate answer will yield the question back to the other team.
• If a player answers a question without being called on, their team will lose the opportunity to answer that question
• If an answer is given by an audience member that question will be thrown out
• No “Laundry List” answers (one succinct answer only; first thing said is what counts)

Matches: 

Matches will consist of several different types of questions: Toss-Ups, Bonus Questions, and Lightning Rounds.

Toss-Ups (only question type that opposing team can answer if 1st team to paddle in gets it wrong)

• Worth the standard point value. No penalties for incorrect answers.
• Only one answer accepted from a team for each question (i.e. 2 players from the same team may not answer the same question)
• May be answered at any point of it being read
• If one team interrupts and misses the question the other team may request to have the question repeated.     [NO repeats if a.) no reader error; b.) question was already read in full]
• No consultation allowed in these rounds

Theme Questions (Questions related to the SQ theme) This is a Toss-Up Style question centered on the theme

• Worth double points
• Generally comprise only 10-15% of total questions
• Some questions may be asked in the context of the theme yet not actually be about the theme at all. Such questions may not be categorized as a double-point “theme question” (the reader will indicate if is worth double points)

Bonus (earned by the correctly-answering team to a specially designated toss-up)

• The reader will introduce one of the toss-up questions by telling the two teams that if the question is answered correctly it leads to four bonus questions only for the correctly-answering team.
• In this round the team eligible for the four bonus questions may briefly consult as a team during designated time.
• The reader will read all four questions (all from a similar category) and once completed after a brief consultation will accept the four answers from the team captain.
• No penalties for wrong answers. Each correct answer is worth the standard point value

Lighting (only question type to carry penalties. i.e. A team can lose points. Conceivably, at the end of play a team can be in negative numbers)

• A series of ten fast-paced questions all related to a specific category or topic
• Each correct answer earns the standard point value. Each incorrect answer deducts the standard point value
• One answer only will be accepted for each question: first team to paddle gets to answer (no 2nd chance for other team)

Errors

• In the event that a reader mistakenly reveals the answer to a question before either team has rung in, the question will be thrown out.
• In the event that it is discovered that a question/answer has an error, the SQ Committee will review the answer and all scores. Questions may be retroactively thrown out. Scores will all be revisited. Wins/Losses may be reversed if the outcome has a material effect on the final score. Our aim in all actions is to be fair and transparent. If a team first answered correctly but was scored incorrect due to the answer sheet being incorrect, points may be reinstated or question may be thrown out.
• If a Toss-Up question that leads to a Bonus Round is retroactively thrown out, any points gained from the Bonus Round will also be thrown out.

Scores

• All wins/losses declared in classrooms are tentative. Scores can be retroactively reversed* or tied*.   (*See “Errors” “Ties”)

Protests (Answers that you feel were correct, answers that you feel were incorrect on paper, etc.)

• If a team feels there is a problem, the team captain (only) is able to say "protest" at that specific moment during the match. It will be noted. The reader, judge, and, if needed, SQ coordinator will determine the conflict after the match.
• Protests will only be acted upon in the event that it will change the overall outcome of the match.
• In the event of a protest, please conduct yourself with patience and decorum.

Ties

• Will be broken in the room with a “sudden-death” style Toss-Up question. If neither team correctly answers the question a second Toss-Up will be asked. If neither team correctly answers, the tie will stand until the following day.
• In the event of a scoring or question error, a tie may be retroactively declared. Both teams will be contacted.
• Unresolved ties will be broken the following day in a designated classroom during nutrition (or Zero). The tie-break will consist of up to two lightning rounds.

Players/Alternates

• A team may consist of 4 “starters” and one designated alternate. Alternates may only be used for excused reasons (illness, athletic conflict, college visits, etc.) As soon as the “starter” is able to return they resume their place in the next round.
• Teams are composed of no fewer than 4 and no more than a total of 5 players. No team may use more than 1 alternate through the course of the tournament.
• SQ coordinator must clear* all uses of alternates prior to each contest. *Please give 24 hour notice. Substitutions are handled case by case.
• Players (whether “starters” or alternates) may only serve play for a single team throughout the course of the tournament. i.e. A person cannot serve as an alternate on more than one team. A player from an eliminated team may not join (as an alternate or otherwise) another team.
• If a team has not pre-designated an alternate, they may still choose one should the need arise. *See timeline above
• If a match begins with an alternate they play the entirety of the match.
• Only pre-designated alternates may step in last minute to avoid a forfeit if a starting team member is 5 min. late
• If you would like to play but do not have a full team, please complete the form ASAP and the SQ Committee will do our best to place you on a team.

Scheduling

• Please look at your calendars (in-season athletics, doctors appointments, college visits, DMV appointments, etc.). Be aware of any conflicts ahead of time during the tournament dates. Alert your team & SQ coordinator ASAP.
• Due to scheduling conflicts, no team can have more than one teammate on the same in-season sport (if that team is competing or traveling to compete before or during lunch during the span of the tournament).

Gameplay

• Should the lunch bell ring prior to the full match being played, it is reader prerogative whether to stop at current question, complete the section, or continue on. (In most cases readers will complete the section but perhaps not the entire match.) It is advised that question reading stops after the passing bell rings at the start of 3rd/6th. This will vary some from room to room, dependent upon circumstances.
• It is the reader's discretion whether they read the answers to incorrect questions. (Doing this for lightning rounds may significantly slow the game.)

Behavior

• Teams should only speak to each other during designated consultation time. Chit-chat is not allowed.
• If a player gets unruly, the reader may issue a warning. If the improper behavior persists the reader may eject the player for the remainder of the match. If the team continues to the next round that player is considered warned for the remainder of the tournament. Point reductions will be made for every continued warning. Egregious behavior leads to automatic disqualification of the entire team without prior warning.
• Please be polite and respectful to all students, staff, and volunteers involved. Assume good intentions from all. Everyone is doing their best and wants Scholar Quiz to be a success and fun for all.
• Emotions and expectations run high during competition. Regardless of the circumstance please conduct yourself with decorum. Scholar Quiz officials want this to be a fun and fair event for everyone. We do our best to ensure so. If a matter arises, be assured we will listen to all accounts. If during this process voices are raised or tones sharp or disparaging, we will defer the conversation to a time and context when they will not be.