FOCUS ON RULES: Contesting

This year, Districts saw more Contests than ever before in my experience. It was an interesting phenomenon because most years they are kept to one or two quizzes where a truly egregious call was made. But the spirit of these contests still seemed to be right to me - they showed knowledge, had real arguments, and were kept respectful... and stayed respectful even if ruled against. If you choose to use a Contest at Nationals, be sure to keep it in the same spirit. If you do want to Contest, be sure to keep the rules in mind.

1. If there is reason to believe the quizmaster has erred in ruling an answer
‘correct’:

a. Then any member of the opposing team may request to ‘confer’ with his/her
captain. If the captain requests the ‘confer’, he/she may talk to any one of
the four (4) remaining quizzers of his/her choice. Maximum time: 30
seconds.

b. At this time the captain may present a contest to the quizmaster. Maximum
time: 30 seconds.

c. Before ruling on the contest, the quizmaster shall allow the other team an
opportunity to confer. This confer shall be between the captain and the
quizzer whose answer is being contested. If the captain’s answer is being
contested, he/she may talk to any one of the four (4) remaining quizzers.
Maximum time: 30 seconds.

d. At this time the captain may present a ‘counter contest’. Maximum time: 30
seconds.

2. If there is reason to believe the quizmaster has erred in ruling an answer
‘incorrect’:

a. Then the captain or the quizzer who was ruled against, or the captain and
any quizzer from the opposing team may request a ‘confer’. The quizzer
whose answer has been ruled incorrect may confer with his/her captain. If
the captain’s answer has been ruled incorrect, he/she may confer with any
one of the remaining four (4) quizzers. Maximum time: 30 seconds.

b. The captain may then present a contest to the quizmaster. Maximum time:
30 seconds.

c. The captain of the opposing team may then confer with any one of the four
(4) remaining quizzers. Maximum time: 30 seconds.

d. The captain may then present a ‘counter contest’ to the quizmaster.
Maximum time: 30 seconds.

3. A contest must be given before the next ‘jump’ question, ‘bonus’ question, or
time-out.

4. The judges may be consulted if an answer or decision is contested or if the
quizmaster needs help, but the quizmaster will make the final decision as to
whether an answer is correct or incorrect. The quizmaster and judges are the
only persons allowed to look in the Bible during a quiz.

5. If the quizmaster decides that he/she has ruled incorrectly on an answer, the
score will be appropriately adjusted. Only the quizmaster can decide if a
particular question is scripturally incorrect or ambiguous. If so, he/she may
discard and replace the question.