Academic Bowl

Rules and Regulations

1. Format

Diocesan format will depend upon the number of competing teams.  There will always be an even number of teams, even if it is necessary to admit a second place district team on a rotating basis.

2. Team Players and Substitutions

Each team consists of six to ten players with at least two being from Grade 7 and the remaining being from Grade 8.

Each round will be played with four team members, one of which must be from Grade 7.

Substitutions may be made after the conclusion of any round.

3. Games

The Academic Bowl consists of three games.

Each game consists of three rounds.

Each round consists of 12 toss-up questions and earned bonus questions.

If a game should end in a tie, only toss-up questions will be used.  The first team to answer  two questions correctly will be the winner of the game.

4. Answering

A. Any team member is permitted to answer only when recognized.  They must begin their answer immediately upon being recognized.  Any delay, as determined by the judge, will result in the question being offered to the opposing team.  A bonus will be available.

B. Toss-Up Questions

  • Team members must look straight ahead.
  • Any team member is permitted to answer only when recognized.
  • Conferring during toss-up questions is not permitted.  If the judge determines that conferring has occurred, a five-point penalty will be awarded and the option of answering will go to the other team.  The bonus will still be available.
  • There is no penalty for an incorrect answer if given after the question has been completely read.
  • If a question is interrupted in progress and a correct response is given, the answering team will receive full point value and the chance at a bonus question.
  • If a question is interrupted in progress and an incorrect response is given, the answering team will be penalized five points.  The question will be read in its entirety and the option of answering goes to the other team with full point value.  The bonus will still be available.
  • When a team member is recognized to answer a toss-up question but submits an incorrect response, the option to answer is given to the other team with full point value.  The bonus will still be available.
  • If a team member answers before he/she is recognized, the team will be penalized five points, and the option to answer will be given to the other team with full point value.  The bonus will still be available.
  • If a team member answers that is not the player recognized to answer, the team will be penalized five points and the option to answer will go to the opposing team with full point value including possible bonus.

C.  Bonus Questions

  • Bonus questions are given to the team who answers a toss-up question correctly.
  • The team captain is the only one permitted to answer.
  • Conferring is permitted until the team captain is recognized to answer.
  • When the judge determines that verbal conferring has taken place during the captain's answering, the answering team will not be awarded any of those bonus points.

5. Scoring

  • A correctly answered toss-up question is valued at 10 points.
  • A correctly answered bonus question is valued at 5 points for a total of 20 points per bonus section.
  • With some bonus questions a team may receive all or part of the total point value.  The questioner and/or judge determine this after deciding the completeness and accuracy of the response.

6. Timing

  • The timekeeper will begin timing after the question has been completely read and stop timing when a player is recognized to answer.
  • If an incorrect toss-up answer is given, the option to answer goes to the other team, and they have the remaining time in which to respond.
  • Toss-up times are 10 seconds for all areas except math questions, which are 30 seconds.
  • Bonus times are 30 seconds for all areas except math questions, which are 50 seconds.

7.  Personnel

The hosting District/Commissioner will assemble the appropriate number of officiating teams that include a Reader (Questioner), Judge, and Scorekeeper/Timer.  The number of officiating teams will be determined by the number of participating student teams.  The officiating team assigned to a particular room will remain in that room throughout the duration of the Diocesan Academic Bowl.  The officiating teams will communicate with the event coordinator.  Officiating team members do not need to be volunteers from participating parishes/schools, and should not have connections with the team they are officiating.

a. Judge

Will be responsible for all necessary decisions during the games; will determine the team member entitled to answer; may consult with the Questioner to determine the accuracy of an answer and the total points to be awarded; the decisions of the judge are final.

b. Reader/Questioner

Will read in a loud, clear voice the toss-up and bonus questions; will announce the correct answer; will determine the accuracy and total points to be awarded.

c. Scorekeeper

Will keep a running tally of scores using the appropriate score sheet; will announce the team scores after each round and the totals for the game; will not be involved in the questioning.

d. Timer

Will be responsible to keep track of the 10, 30, or 50 second time periods and inform the judge when time has elapsed.

8. Scoring and Awards

At the conclusion of the third game, the team with the greatest number of wins will be declared the winner and Diocesan Champion.  In the event of a tie between two teams, the victor of the head to head competition will be declared the winner.  In the event of a three-way tie, the winner will be determined based on points earned.

One award will be given to the Diocesan Championship Team.