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Resources for Quizzers

Q. How well should I know the rules?
A: You should not fall back on your coach or your team captain to know the rules. If you catch something that no one else does, it can alter the outcome of a match. That said, there are certain rules that are not crucial to know since they aren't contestable. The rules are divided into five chapters.

• Officials

As a quizzer, you can ignore this section. Your coach and the officials should be familiar with it, though.


• The Match

You should read this section through once so that you aren't surprised by anything that happens in the course of a normal match. A few things to point out:
• Improper communication results in a foul. The rules tell you when verbal communication and non-verbal communication are allowed.


• You should be aware of the difference between an active and inactive quizzer and the privileges associated with each.'


• Learn what constitutes an individual foul and a team foul so that you can avoid getting them.


• Answers

This is one of the most important sections of the rules. Things to point out:
• The first seven rules deal with your answer. Read these thoroughly. If you feel one of these has been violated, you should contest.


• The rules for interrupted questions are here. These are vital to know.


Next are the rules for what makes an answer incorrect. Many of these rules state exactly the opposite of the correct answer rules. Things to point out:

• You cannot give incorrect information before you finish giving your answer. There is a difference between "incorrect" and "irrelevant".


• If a question demands a complete answer, you may not give information from another verse unless the introductory remarks allow it. Note that it is up to the officials to determine if the information given is from another verse.


• You must speak loudly and clearly. This is your responsibility, not the officials'.


• If you pair up parts of the question incorrectly in giving your answer, you are wrong. However, this does NOT mean that you have to give your answers in the order the questions asked them.


• Corrective Procedures

This section talks about what must be done if the rules are violated. In some cases a a ruling is overturned and negative points become positive points. In other cases the question is thrown out and read for either one or both teams. You can either contest the validity of the question, contest to void the question or contest the ruling of the officials.

• Validity
There are many ways that a question could be labeled as invalid. For instance, the section title or chapter in the introductory remarks could be wrong. It could be labeled a "Two-Part Question" and not ask two questions. Sometimes the writer has misinterpreted the Scripture so that the question contains incorrect information.


• Voiding the Question
If the question is voided a substitute is read for one or both teams. Specifics are found in the rules. Help or hindrance contests fall here. This means that a quizzer answering a question was either helped or hindered by quizzers on his own team, the other team, the officials or outside sources. This is also where "misreads" falls. This happens if the quizmaster stumbles while reading the question.


• Rulings of the Officials
If you have been called incorrect or the other team has been called correct, and you feel this was done in error, you may contest to overturn their decision. Be sure to cite a specific rule that is violated. Do not worry about offending the quizmaster and judges by contesting. Many times, they rule with only a limited knowledge of the material. You may also contest "Additional Scriptural Evidence". This says that you have found an additional acceptable answer to the question. The opposing team is allowed to rebut and the officials will have to determine if it was an acceptable alternate answer.


• Question and Answer Requirements

This section contains the rules for the specific types of introductory remarks. This section will help you form either a validity contest or the other team's answer.