Toss-up questions are questions asked to both teams. The individual who signals first will be recognized by the Moderator and given the opportunity to answer. Some toss-up questions will have an attached bonus question.
Each toss-up question is worth ten (10) points.
The maximum time limit for answering a toss-up question is four (4) seconds. These four seconds begin either by a player signaling or by the timekeeper when the Moderator has completed the question. Once a player has signaled and has been recognized by the Moderator, an answer must be given within the allotted four seconds. However, if a player is giving a correct answer without pausing, the Moderator will allow him to complete the sentence.
No toss-up question will be repeated once it has been read in its entirety.
Once a toss-up question is read in its entirety, any individual signaling first, after being recognized by the Moderator, is allowed the time to give an answer. (Section III [C]). If the question is answered correctly, that team is awarded ten (10) points and the game continues with the reading of the next question. If the question is answered incorrectly, opportunity is granted to the other team to signal. However, the individual signaling, must answer immediately upon recognition by the Moderator. If the other team answers the question correctly, ten (10) points are awarded; if not, the question is discarded. The answer is not necessarily given and the game continues. There is no consultation between team members on answers to toss-up questions.
On the first occurrence of the reading of a toss-up question, if an individual signals before the toss-up question is completed, that individual must answer without the privilege of having the question completed. If the signaling player answers the question correctly, that team will be awarded ten (10) points. If the wrong answer is given, the question is then read in its entirety for the other team. The individual then signaling first is afforded four (4) seconds to answer the question after being recognized by the Moderator. If during this second reading of the toss-up question, a player should signal, the Moderator should then recognize that player and obtain an answer. There is no consultation between team members on answers to toss-up questions.
No toss-up question will consist of multiple-part questions with multiple answers. Each toss-up question must yield a single answer or a short phrase.
Once the Moderator starts reading a toss-up question, team members are not allowed to talk to each other, confer with each other, or supply an answer to team members. A team forfeits their right to answer that toss-up question if conferring takes place. If a second conferring offense occurs, ten points will be taken from the team in violation. If a third offense occurs, the team will be disqualified, thus forfeiting that game.
Any player, who gives an answer to a toss-up question without first signaling and being recognized by the Moderator, forfeits his/her team’s opportunity to answer that question. If the question was not read in its entirety, it is then read and opportunity is given to the other team to correctly answer the question. A team member must signal and be recognized before answering any toss-up question.
Any toss-up question that is prepared from material not assigned for the current year will be disqualified and no points given for a correct answer. The discovery of a question from material not assigned must be made before the next round of games begins. In this event the illegal question will be disqualified and another question substituted.
Revised 10/28/2008, Prepared by The National Bible Bowl Coordinators Association
