Test Yourself: How Well Do You Know the Rules?

This learning tool is designed to allow you to test and fine-tune your understanding of the rules that govern the Odyssey of the Mind program. Coaches and team members are encouraged to attend information sessions and to carefully read available materials while preparing for competition.

Explanations are provided for each question. Most will also provide relevant references within the Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide, NOVA North regional rules and/or Problem descriptions and limitations.
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1. The limitations section of a long-term problem indicates that “overtime is permitted”. If a team presents a required element at the eight and a half minute mark, how will the performance be scored?

Select only one answer.

a. The element is not scored because it occurred after the eight minute mark.

b. The element is scored and there is a time penalty.

c. The element is scored for creativity, but not for effectiveness. There is a time penalty.

d. The element is scored and there is no penalty because the team was not stopped at eight minutes.

e. It is at the judges discretion whether the element is scored.

2. Which of the following statements is true regarding NOVA North rules related to pressurized gas?

Select all that apply.

a. Helium must not be used to create funny voices.

b. No pressurized gases are allowed.

c. Commercially produced aerosol cans may be permitted.

d. You may receive an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty if you leave a mess or stink for the teams that follow you.

e. None of the above, just be safe and courteous.

3. Which option is true about the spontaneous competition for Divisions 1 and above?

Select only one answer.

a. As with the long-term problem, all spontaneous problems have a combination of objective and subjective scoring criteria.

b. Coaches and the sixth and seventh team members may observe (as long as they don’t say anything to help the team).

c. Teams may be assessed a penalty if they talk about the problem outside the team (or where they may be overheard).

d. If a team is doing a “performance” long-term problem (Problem 3 or 5), it will get a “hands-on” spontaneous problem; teams doing technical problems (1, 2, or 4) will have a “verbal” spontaneous problem.

e. For verbal problems, teams may write down their ideas during “thinking” time.

4. Judges may stop a performance and/or prevent a team/team member from performing if:

Select all that apply.

a. A team member is competing in socks, flip flops or other footwear deemed unsafe.

b. Damage is caused to the floor during the performance.

c. A prop appears too similar to an actual weapon.

d. The performance includes an uncontained eruptive or other chemical reaction.

e. None of the Above.

5. When can coaches find out their team’s Spontaneous Competition score?

Select only one answer.

a. Spontaneous scores are available as soon as the judges have completed the paperwork for the team.

b. Spontaneous scores will be included when coaches pick up the team’s long-term score.

c. Spontaneous scores are included as part of the overall score breakdown provided after the awards ceremony.

d. Spontaneous scores are incorporated into the team’s overall score and not presented separately.

e. Spontaneous scores are available as soon as the team has completed its performance.

6. Which of the following tournament scheduling requests is NOT likely to result in a special accommodation for the team?

Select only one answer.

a. A team member is competing in more than one problem.

b. A team member has a disability which may require accommodation.

c. A team member has a medical condition requiring special attention.

d. Team members have tickets to an event and need to be done in time to beat traffic.

e. A team member does not understand or speak the language used in competition.

7. At NOVA North tournaments flash photography is allowed:

Select all that apply.

a. With written permission from tournament officials

b. With permission from the team

c. If the coach gives permission

d. Always

e. Never

8. Which of the following are valid ways for teams to prepare for the spontaneous competition while avoiding outside assistance?

Select all that apply.

a. Watch videos on YouTube (particularly of teams solving hands-on problems).

b. Include adults in the practices to help them feel involved and to give team members a different way to look at the problem.

c. Discuss strategies for solving different types of problems with other (more experienced) teams.

d. Have team members practice only the types of problems they like.

e. Ask parents to create spontaneous practice problems so teams don’t get complacent practicing published problems.

9. Which of the following is a valid coaching technique for helping teams decide how to move forward when they have a disagreement?

Select all that apply.

a. Have team members list the pros and cons of an issue so they can see both sides of an argument.

b. Rotate team captains and have team members take turns conducting meetings.

c. Ask a carefully constructed question that lets the team believe they have made their own decision.

d. Limit some meetings to only one aspect of the solution with all members working on that aspect.

e. If the team disagrees make the call for them and keep them moving forward.

10. The behavior of which individual(s) associated with a team may result in the assessment of an Unsportsmanlike Conduct or Outside Assistance Penalty against that team?

Select all that apply.

a. Team Member

b. Coach

c. Parent

d. Friend

e. None of the above; teams are only judged on their performances

11. A team wants to make something that requires a special cut that would be much easier with a power tool no one on the team is familiar with. As a coach, what approach(es) are allowable within the Odyssey rules and spirit?

Select all that apply.

a. Safety first! Make the cut for them or ask a parent familiar with the tool to do so.

b. Have the team buy wood from the lumber department that is pre-cut to their specifications.

c. Help the team learn how to use the tool safely and ensure the team members are supervised when using the tool.

d. Encourage the team to find another way to get the effect/look they want.

e. Ask a parent to “donate” a pre-cut piece to the team.

12. Which of the following is permitted based on guidelines in the Program Guide?

Select all that apply.

a. The team re-uses the frame for a previous team’s backdrop (without changing it) but adds their own decorations to it.

b. The team re-uses a prop that members of last year’s team created for their solution (some of the students were on both teams).

c. The team re-uses a costume that members of last year’s team created for their solution (team members are unchanged from last year).

d. The team re-uses a membership sign that a single team member created for last year’s solution.

e. None of the above.

13. Which of the following is considered to be Outside Assistance on tournament day?

Select all that apply.

a. Parents help move props from the car to the staging area

b. Parents help reassemble props in the parking lot.

c. Parents point out that a prop is broken but do not actually fix it.

d. A parent accidentally broke a prop while moving it and fixed what he broke, without the team knowing.

e. None of the above

14. Which of the following is true regarding tournament Long-Term paperwork?

Select only one answer.

a. Teams must provide one copy of the Cost form and four copies of the Style form.

b. The coach may prepare the paperwork so the team can concentrate on the actual solution; it is a logistic detail similar to registering for the tournament.

c. The team list and style form paperwork is recommended but optional.

d. Teams must complete the paperwork before they arrive in the staging area; they may not complete or fix their paperwork at the performance site.

e. Teams that do not provide paperwork may be assessed a Spirit of the Problem penalty.

15. Which is true in NOVA North Region 9 regarding tournament registration?

Select all that apply.

a. Although there is a stated registration date, teams may register late if they have a good reason.

b. Teams need to provide the name of both a judge and a two-hour volunteer in order to register for the tournament.

c. Teams may register late if they pay a penalty.

d. Teams registering late can present their solutions to friends and families but will not receive scores or be able to advance to the State tournament.

e. As of the 2019-20 season, the registration deadline is final. Teams trying to register after that date will not be allowed to perform.

16. A team member wears “footy” pajamas and makeup as a tiger costume. Will the team member be permitted to perform in that costume?

Yes

17. A team with six members adds a team member on the day of the tournament because one of the original team members is sick. Will this new team member be permitted to perform (even though she was not part of the team all season)?

Yes

18. A seven-member team reports for spontaneous and discovers that it is a “hands on” problem. Only four team members like to do hands-on problems. Are they permitted to compete with four team members?

Yes

19. The coach and team disagree with one of the style scores. Can they appeal the score and ask for reconsideration?

Yes

20. A team pre-records a song and dance that is required for the problem and plays it as part of the eight-minute performance. Will the song and dance be scored as long as the recording is of one or more team members?

Yes

21. At the tournament a student’s eyeglasses fall and break. The glasses are decorated and, therefore, are part of the student’s costume. A parent uses duct tape to put together the glasses so they can be worn. This assistance is brought to the attention of the judging team. Is this a clear example of Outside Assistance?

Yes

22. A team plays a pre-recorded (commercial) karaoke tape in its solution without providing evidence that they have received permission from the copyright owner to use it. Is this OK?

Yes

23. A team’s solution is based on “The Tortoise and the Hare.” As a prop, the team brings a pet turtle, safely enclosed in a covered terrarium so it cannot escape. Is this permitted?

Yes

24. If a team damages a floor, even if it was unintentional, may they receive a penalty?

Yes

25. A team has created playbills, which were listed as a required style element for their long-term problem. They distribute them to the judges and audience as part of their performance. Will the playbills be considered for score?

Yes

26. A teams alters the style form to meet its needs but provides all the required information. Is this acceptable?

Yes

27. Each team must display a membership sign that is readable from a minimum of 25 feet away during the presentation of its long-term solution. Is this correct?

Yes

28. The lighting in performance sites will be the same for all teams, even if a team requests in writing prior to the tournament that the lights be dimmed. Is this true?

Yes

29. In NOVA North, it is understood that all performance sites will provide electrical outlets and internet access for teams. Is this true?

Yes

30. Must all teams perform within the minimum performance area size — such as 7’ x 10’ — stated in the problem?

Yes

Test Yourself: How Well Do You Know the Rules?

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