Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl

Format & Rules

(from the Organizational Framework for the Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, Updated September 2021)

A. Game Format – These rules may be amended by the State Steering Committee in order to accommodate the number of schools participating in a bowl.

1. Each school will participate in four to six rounds for a total of 60 questions.

2. Each round will consist of an equal number questions.

3. Bye rounds are necessary when there are not an equal number of teams competing and are equal to a break.

B. These rules may not be amended and will be the same for all bowls at all levels.

4. Alternates may be substituted between rounds.

5. Teams will receive 10 points for each correct answer.

6. There will be no penalties for wrong answers.

7. There will be up to five members on a team and up to five alternates. 8. A school may have no more than one team per level.

C. Rules During the Game/Round – These rules may not be amended and will be the same for all bowls at all levels.

1. Students may hold the buzzer.

2. When the student buzzes in, the console judge must acknowledge the student by color and number (ex.: red, two). If a student who is not acknowledged answers the question, that team’s response is not recorded and the question is repeated for the opposing team.

3. After buzzing in, the student must begin answering question within 10 seconds. Conferring is NOT allowed. If the answer is correct, the moderator acknowledges that it is correct, and the scorekeeper posts the score.

4. If the answer is incorrect, the question will be repeated for the other team, which must begin answering within ten seconds after buzzing in.

5. If neither team buzzes in, the moderator will answer the question and proceed to the next question. No score will be tallied for that question.

6. If a contestant buzzes in before the completion of a question, the moderator stops reading and, after being recognized, the contestant must answer immediately. If an incorrect answer is given, the moderator reads the entire question for the opposing team which has an opportunity to begin answering the question within 10 seconds.

7. At no time during the actual round may the team consult with the coach, with one another, or have a time-out.

8. The challenge procedure states that any concern about an answer to a question MUST be addressed by one of the five currently competing students to the COACH before the next question is asked.

a) Participating team member raises hand to challenge.

b) The coach comes forward to determine the legitimacy of challenge.

c) Coach grants permission for students to address the moderator with challenges.

d) Only the challenging student will address the moderator. Coaches, parents, visitors, and alternate team members remain silent.

e) If a challenge goes forward, the moderator may make a decision based on the answers they have or the moderator may confer with HRRB committee members, if needed. Identify: your competition level (elementary, middle, or high), your room number, the question number, book title, and page number where the answer should be located.

f) Coaches stay with your team. (A Coach’s chair will be provided directly behind your team.) Use your discretion when allowing a student to challenge. Only you are to direct any challenges and ask any questions, not a team member, a parent, or other visitor.

g) Wait for answer from committee member – do not discuss question and/or answer in competition room (step outside with coach if needed).

h) Once a decision has been made about the question by the moderator, their decision is final.