PRACTICES
Quizzing Practices
Quiz practices are crucial for the Bible Quizzing ministry – they are the fuel that feeds the fire, as the saying goes. You cannot run a quiz program without quiz practices. The quizzers should get together weekly, at a regular day and time, to practice, quote verses to their coaches, see, bond, and hang out with their team mates and other quizzers, learn how to jump, and how to improve, learn (more) about quizzing, bond with their coaches, learn (more) about God’s Word, and how to apply it in their lives. Before a quiz tournament, some teams have an extra practice for more review/jumping time. Most of the time, practices are held in people’s houses, the local church, or some other convenient location. The average quiz practice (and the recommendation) is 1.5 hours, but some run for 1 hour, and others for 2 hours. Weekly practices help the quizzer prepare for the next quizmeet. Practices are like a mini tournament – less competitive though, and more like a “training ground.” This informative document will explain what practices are, and ideas/tips/hints on ways to run them – both for the quizzers’ and the coach’s knowledge, and is thus divided into 2 parts, one for the quizzers, and one for the coaches. Each team and group of teams usually run practices differently – they can vary in styles, structure, and approach. This is just an idea of how to get started. The sky is the limit for the possibilities at a practice. Remember, as a coach and quizzer in CBQ, weekly practices are very important – make sure you’re prepared for them and remember to do well at them and to have fun!
Quizzers:
The first practice:
The first practice will be different than the rest – usually the coaches talk and explain more about quizzing, practices, tournaments, etc., and there’s less practice and jumping time. Try to read the whole book (or at least the first few chapters) before coming to practice. You’ll learn who all the other quizzers are, and meet your teammates (if the teams are already set up.) Usually the coaches pick teams after a few practices, once they see how everyone is doing. Get to know who the quizzers and coaches are. Come with an open mind and willingness to learn. The second practice (and all the ones after it) is where you’ll see what quizzing practices are all about!
Tips for all the other practices:
-Set goals for your quiz practices (see CBQ’s Weekly Study Planning Schedule and Goal Setting Sheet)
-Remember the practices are there to help you, not to discourage you. Use your time well there. Don’t waste your, your coaches, or your fellow quizzer’s, time.
Remember to listen, learn, and have fun. Come prepared each week for practice, don’t be late, and try to attend as many as you can.
Coaches:
The first practice:
The first practice will probably be the hardest to run, since you’ll be new at it, or the quizzers will be, or it will be odd to start Quizzing again after a long summer off. However, they only get easier from there. The first practice is usually different than the other ones – less quizzing, and more talking, explaining, and introducing. Have your quizzers read through the first chapter (or few, or even the whole book) before they come to the first practice. For your new quizzers, don’t be surprised if many don’t do it or can’t remember a thing. These teens are used to a very casual reading of the Word. It takes some time for them to get the idea that they must concentrate on reading the Scripture. But don’t worry about it: the first practice is not to test them, it is to enthuse them. Familiarize the team and/or all the quizzers with each other, their ages, past quizzing experience, etc., and then with “the lay of the land.” Do a quick survey of the book (or half of the book) while having them follow with you as