Tournament Tips | Battle of the Books

Before Tournament Day Begins

Remind team member families of arrival time, location, and what to bring.
Team members, coaches, and team helpers should bring a packed lunch, snacks, water bottle, and a backpack to carry those items.
Remind families that they are invited to join us for the Author Presentation and Team Celebration & Awards. Families may arrive any time after 1:10 PM. If they are just doing pickup, they should arrive around 3:45 PM.

On Tournament Day

Arrive with your team between 8:30 - 8:55 am. Head Coaches should check-in at the Team Check-in table to receive your schedule. Once you have your packet, proceed to the bleachers in the Large Gym.
Teams should bring their Coat of Arms poster and may wear team costumes.
Coaches should wear their Battle of the Books coach tees.
Teams may have their Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and up to 4 registered Team Helpers join them for the day's events.
Take a moment to “huddle” with your team: calm nerves, take a few photos, and give a pep talk.

During Team Battles

Check your team’s individual competition schedule (in packet) to locate the specific Battle Rooms for your team.
Place your Coat of Arms on one of the easels outside the door.
Once the coin toss determines "Team A," help your team get settled at the table with team placard.
Take a seat in a classroom chair behind the judges.
Please model positive behavior during Team Battles and keep a smile on your face.
Guide your team to the next room for the second battle.
Between battles, take a moment with your team to diffuse any issues from the previous battle and focus on a clean slate for the next one. Losing a battle does not mean your team is out of contention for awards.

During Lightning Trials

Upon entering the Large Gym, guide your team to any yoga mat and place the team placard on the floor.
Coaches may stand with the team for the two practice questions but then should take a seat in the bleachers.

During Amphitheatre

Guide your team to the library. Find your team's assigned number, take a seat at that table, and put out your team placard.

Rule Reminders for All Events

Coaches and team helpers may not communicate in any way to team members during the competitions. Please watch your body language, such as head nodding, that could appear as if you are giving or approving answers to your team.
Questions, concerns or compliments need to be communicated to the BOTB committee through Feedback Forms in the team packet--not to the judges or volunteers in the room. Coaches and team helpers may not talk to the timer, scorekeeper, or judge during the judging.
Feedback forms can be turned in to Team Check-in table which is staffed all day.
All participants, coaches, and team helpers are not to discuss questions in between events. A team will be disqualified if they (or anyone affiliated with them) are found to be sharing information from events with other teams, gathering information to benefit their team, or any similar activity.
Shhh!!! Teams in common areas and in your lunch break may not yet have participated in the same events that your team has completed.
Feel free to take plenty of photos or videos of your team -- just not while they are competing.

At the Conclusion of Tournament

Meet up with familes and find a place to sit with your team in the Large Gym for our Team Celebration & Awards.
After the awards, your team members can munch on a treat, have their book or program signed, or purchase the next book in the series. Horizon Books will be on site to keep the reading going.
Take a moment to "huddle" as a team: Recap the positive moments from the day and from your team's whole journey, take some photos, and shout your slogan one last time.
Consider hosting a celebration for your team after the Tournament. Grab a bite to eat, host a potluck, go out for ice cream, or plan a group activity to close battle season.