How do "Contests" work?

There is one aspect of Quizzing we don't do much in the monthly practice quizzes, and pretty much never allow at the weekly practices. CONTESTS! Contesting is a mechanism built into the rules to allow a quizzer to challenge the ruling of a Quizmaster. If there is a ruling (either correct or incorrect) that you believe was truly in error and cost your team points, here are the things you need to know.

• A contest must be done before the next question is asked, or before a bonus question is asked.
• The contest can only be declared by either (1) the captain of the team, or (2) the quizzer ruled incorrect.
• The first step is to request to "confer". (A quizzer can confer with the captain, a captain can choose any member of the team to confer with.) Conferring lasts 30 seconds.
• Once you have conferred, the contesting person can either present their contest (within 30 seconds) or they may choose to sit down.
• After the contest, the opposing team may confer (quizzer with captain or captain with any quizzer) for 30 seconds.
• They may then choose to present a counter-contest (a rebuttal) or not.
• The quizmaster will then give a ruling. They may uphold the original ruling, reverse it, or declare a do-over on the question.

Remember, you can not contest against your own team. (i.e. If you were ruled right, you can't contest.) And you can not contest the question - only the quizmaster's ruling.

Also, remember that coaches can't present a contest. If you think one is needed, a quizzer needs to speak up.

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.