It happened a few years ago, but I still get triggered every time I think about it.
I am coaching a team comprised mostly of first-year quizzers at an out-of-state mid-season invitational tournament. It has been thrilling for them to travel and meet other Christian teens from across the nation who share a passion for studying God’s Word. And despite our inexperience, we’re not embarrassing ourselves too often. Sure, we lost one game 350-10, but at least we didn’t go negative! In fact, that game was a real eye-opener of what we could accomplish with more experience and commitment to studying God’s Word! Later in the tournament we were put in a division of similar talent and we actually began to win a few games.
But then we played the team from Sassafras (that’s not their real name) who was leading our division at the tournament. Things aren’t looking good. We’re down 110-170 after question #18. I’m already looking at the schedule to see which room we go to next. We’re playing Kentucky? Cool, that’ll be fun.
I am coaching a team comprised mostly of first-year quizzers at an out-of-state mid-season invitational tournament. It has been thrilling for them to travel and meet other Christian teens from across the nation who share a passion for studying God’s Word. And despite our inexperience, we’re not embarrassing ourselves too often. Sure, we lost one game 350-10, but at least we didn’t go negative! In fact, that game was a real eye-opener of what we could accomplish with more experience and commitment to studying God’s Word! Later in the tournament we were put in a division of similar talent and we actually began to win a few games.
But then we played the team from Sassafras (that’s not their real name) who was leading our division at the tournament. Things aren’t looking good. We’re down 110-170 after question #18. I’m already looking at the schedule to see which room we go to next. We’re playing Kentucky? Cool, that’ll be fun.
Having more faith than me – or maybe because they did the math – the crowd is cheering and encouraging our team to stay focused. “You can do it!” they shout. And sure enough, our top quizzer pounces on Question 19 to quiz out without an error for 30 points. Now we’re only down 140-170! If Bocephus (not his real name) or Donatella (not her real name, either) can get Question 20, that’ll be a 3rd-quizzer bonus for us and we could tie the game!
And then I hear it. “You know what to do” the opposing coach says to their team. At the time I remember thinking (quite snarky, I might add), “Of course they know what to do. Jump first and get it right.” That’s the same gold star coaching advice I give my quizzers. But less than a minute later, I would fully comprehend another way to interpret those words. The game was already over. We just didn’t know it.
The Quizmaster politely begins the preamble to the last question to quiet the crowd. “Question number 20 is a General question.” The crowd is silent and tense with anticipation. The Quizmaster continues. “Question number 20 coming. Question: Wh-“.
And that’s it. That all she says. “Wh…” A quizzer on the Sassafras team was standing before the beep had a chance to finish chirping. With a smile on his face he says “I have no idea” and sits down. Game over. We get the bonus but lose 150-160.
Essentially, for the low, low price of 1 Error the winning team took advantage of a quirk in the rules and played to win essentially a 19-question game while everyone else was expecting 20 questions. They denied the opposing team a fair shot to tie or win the game. It’s called burning a question. Is it strategic? Yes. Does it show good sportsmanship? Doubtful. Is it Christ-like behavior? Definitely not, in my opinion.
Think of it this way: It is like the leading team in a football game being able to commit a penalty that causes the remaining 3 minutes to run off the game clock.
And then I hear it. “You know what to do” the opposing coach says to their team. At the time I remember thinking (quite snarky, I might add), “Of course they know what to do. Jump first and get it right.” That’s the same gold star coaching advice I give my quizzers. But less than a minute later, I would fully comprehend another way to interpret those words. The game was already over. We just didn’t know it.
The Quizmaster politely begins the preamble to the last question to quiet the crowd. “Question number 20 is a General question.” The crowd is silent and tense with anticipation. The Quizmaster continues. “Question number 20 coming. Question: Wh-“.
And that’s it. That all she says. “Wh…” A quizzer on the Sassafras team was standing before the beep had a chance to finish chirping. With a smile on his face he says “I have no idea” and sits down. Game over. We get the bonus but lose 150-160.
Essentially, for the low, low price of 1 Error the winning team took advantage of a quirk in the rules and played to win essentially a 19-question game while everyone else was expecting 20 questions. They denied the opposing team a fair shot to tie or win the game. It’s called burning a question. Is it strategic? Yes. Does it show good sportsmanship? Doubtful. Is it Christ-like behavior? Definitely not, in my opinion.
Think of it this way: It is like the leading team in a football game being able to commit a penalty that causes the remaining 3 minutes to run off the game clock.
| What is a valid strategy, in contrast, is doing what is known as “sending” a quizzer. Sending a quizzer is when the coach instructs the team – or a particular quizzer – to jump much earlier during the reading of a question than they typically would. Some coaches even instruct the quizzer to jump on the 3rd word of the next question and see if they can get it right. There are several tactical goals that can be accomplished by employing such a strategy: | It is like the leading team in a football game being able to commit a penalty that causes the remaining 3 minutes to run off the game clock. |
- To push the opposing team to jump earlier (and possibly make errors) on subsequent questions. This is particularly effective when used at the beginning of a game against an experienced team.
- To disrupt the rhythm of the opposing team when your team is trailing.
- To show your own team that they really can finish and answer questions with very little information. This builds their confidence and improves their competitiveness.
In short, the key distinction between “sending a quizzer” and “burning a question” is that the question was intended to be answered by the quizzer who jumps.
| Now fast forward a year. I’m coaching essentially the same team at a regional tournament. We earned a spot in the B-level double-elimination bracketed tournament and advanced undefeated to the championship game. Halfway through the game it is apparent the two teams are evenly matched. But even if we lose the game, we get a rematch. So I’m not too stressed out at this point. | The key distinction between “sending a quizzer” and “burning a question” is that the question was intended to be answered by the quizzer who jumps. |
At Question 19, one of the opposing quizzers quizzes out, leaving an empty seat opposite Bocephus (not his real name). We are leading 130-110. As the quizzers get in to position for the last question, Bocephus catches my attention. He is staring at me. The intensity of his gaze is burning a hole through my skull. Our eyes meet. He’s giving me that “I’ve got this” look of confidence on his face. I give him a fist pump and an approving nod for his grit and determination. “You’re right! We can do this!” I am trying to say.
The Quizmaster politely begins the preamble to the last question to quiet the crowd. “Question number 20 is a General question.” The crowd is silent and tense with anticipation. The Quizmaster continues. “Question number 20 coming. Question: Wh-“.
And that’s it. That all he says. “Wh…” Bocephus was standing before the beep had a chance to finish chirping. With a smile on his face he says “I have no idea” and sits down. There is no one on the other team to get the Bonus. Game over. We win 120-110.
And I feel dirty. Embarrassed. Ashamed. It was painfully obvious to everyone what just happened. Yet, it was perfectly legal. Enough of the question was read to differentiate it from another question, so the Quizmaster couldn’t simply call a foul and start over.
I understand that the crucible of competition sometimes causes raw emotions and attitudes to bubble to the surface. So what better place for that to happen than during a Teen Bible Quizzing match? You are surrounded by a great cloud of believers who are more likely to recognize and provide gentle council for a possible breach of ethical behavior. What I preach to my team is that when faced with a morally-ambivalent dilemma in quizzing, recognize that you have an awesome opportunity to sharpen your Christian witness. Thus, we don’t challenge a ruling when a victory is already a statistical certainty and we don’t burn a question to steal a win.
My advice? I’d rather lose a fair fight than win a rigged one. Until there is a rule against obvious burning of questions, play the game as it is intended. Practice good sportsmanship. Accept it as a challenge and compete legitimately. It will strengthen your character and earn you respect.
The Quizmaster politely begins the preamble to the last question to quiet the crowd. “Question number 20 is a General question.” The crowd is silent and tense with anticipation. The Quizmaster continues. “Question number 20 coming. Question: Wh-“.
And that’s it. That all he says. “Wh…” Bocephus was standing before the beep had a chance to finish chirping. With a smile on his face he says “I have no idea” and sits down. There is no one on the other team to get the Bonus. Game over. We win 120-110.
And I feel dirty. Embarrassed. Ashamed. It was painfully obvious to everyone what just happened. Yet, it was perfectly legal. Enough of the question was read to differentiate it from another question, so the Quizmaster couldn’t simply call a foul and start over.
I understand that the crucible of competition sometimes causes raw emotions and attitudes to bubble to the surface. So what better place for that to happen than during a Teen Bible Quizzing match? You are surrounded by a great cloud of believers who are more likely to recognize and provide gentle council for a possible breach of ethical behavior. What I preach to my team is that when faced with a morally-ambivalent dilemma in quizzing, recognize that you have an awesome opportunity to sharpen your Christian witness. Thus, we don’t challenge a ruling when a victory is already a statistical certainty and we don’t burn a question to steal a win.
My advice? I’d rather lose a fair fight than win a rigged one. Until there is a rule against obvious burning of questions, play the game as it is intended. Practice good sportsmanship. Accept it as a challenge and compete legitimately. It will strengthen your character and earn you respect.
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