Competition FAQ

We have created this page to respond to any questions from coaches as they arise. Please email Rose Zivkovich, Competition Coordinator, with your questions, and we will get them answered here as soon as possible.

For Lightning Trials, do kids turn in the Extra Life Tokens to the judge?

No. Each team will have a small basket in front of the mat to turn in the tokens.

 

For Lightning Trials, do teams get two Extra Life Tokens per round or for all of the trials?

Teams start each Lightning Trial with their two Extra Life tokens in hand. They are to be used within that trial. Even if teams use one or both tokens during one trial, they re-set (take back) those tokens at the start of the next trial.

 

Does the team need to give the author with the answer in Lightning Trials?

We do not ask for book authors during the Lightning Trials.

 

Will judges decide an answer is incorrect if it is spelled wrong?

Judges will not require perfect spelling but will not accept incomplete or inaccurate answers. Imagine that the correct answer to a question is "Cherry Knoll." The judge would accept Cherry Noll or Cherry Nole but would not accept Cherry Bend or just Cherry.

 

Can you provide examples of Lightning Trial themes, and if the themed questions are from one book or multiple books?

The questions can come from any of the books if they pertain to the theme.  Example themes (not based on this year's books) might be: Pets, Animals, Space, School, Heroes, Mysteries, Food, etc.

 

For Team Battles, does the team lose points if the author name is mispronounced?

We want teams to know the authors and do their best at pronouncing them correctly. Thus points are awarded for a reasonable attempt at the author name -- usually it is not hard for judges to tell the difference between, for example, Farook, White, and Pennypacker.

 

Can coaches or other attendees take photos or videos at the Tournament?

While there are many opportunities to take photos throughout the day, we ask that coaches or other attendees do not take photos or videos of any team while they are competing. In Team Battles, once the judge begins talking then no more photos or videos should be taken until the judge says "Can we give both of our teams a round of applause?" In Lightning Trials, once the two practice questions are done, coaches should take their seats in the bleachers and refrain from taking photos or videos. In Amphitheatre, you are welcome to take photos or videos of your team working or practicing but not during their presentations. Any team found to be taking video during competition may be disqualified.

 

Should we bring our battle books to the Tournament?

No. We request that you leave the battle books at home. Teams are not permitted to reference the battle books while competing in Team Battles, Lightning Trials, nor Amphitheatre. The book covers, titles, or authors should not appear on any part of the team's Coat of Arms poster or clothing as it can be perceived as cheating especially in Team Battles. The one exception to this recommendation is that your team may wish to bring the special guest author's book in order to get his or her signature at the Tournament (For example: To the Bookbusters ~ Keep reading! Lindsay Currie). Please keep that book tucked away out of sight -- possibly even in your parked car -- until author signing time.