1. Teams will now be able to have four quizzers participate in a match at one time. The JBQ National Guidelines have long permitted this, however for its first five seasons,
NJ JBQ had opted to allow only three quizzers per team. In an effort to allow more quizzers to quiz, and less to watch, this rule is being changed beginning this year. Those of you that participated at NJ JBQ District Finals last season recall that we allowed four quizzers per team at that event and the change was deemed a success.
Moving to four quizzers not only helps us to align with the JBQ National Guidelines, but also prepares our NJ teams for all invitational tournaments and/or regional/national competition that they may participate in. Following are some examples to help you decide how many teams you should register. If you have:
- 6 quizzers - 2 teams (if you want everyone quizzing all the time) or this could be 1 team (depending on the reliability of your quizzers)
- 7 quizzers - 2 teams (if you want everyone quizzing all the time) or this could be 1 team (depending on the reliability of your quizzers)
- 8 quizzers - 2 teams (though by rule this could be one team, but not recommended)
- 9 quizzers - 3 teams (if you want everyone quizzing all the time) or this could be 2 teams (depending on the reliability of your quizzers)
2. Due to the increasing number of teams participating across the district each year, and limited space to quiz, all teams are no longer guaranteed to participate at NJ JBQ District Finals. For the upcoming season, the top six teams in each league, based upon regular season standings, will automatically qualify for district finals. The remaining teams will be invited as "at large" teams based upon various factors including team record, overall league strength and individual quizzer point totals. As many teams as possible will be invited, based upon available quiz rooms. Please note that qualifying teams will still be permitted to change team rosters for district finals. For example, if a church has two teams during the regular season, and only one team qualifies for district finals, the church may combine the two teams (up to 8 quizzers) for district finals. If a church qualifies three teams for district finals, it may adjust the rosters of those three teams for district finals.
3. There was much discussion this off-season by the JBQ National Advisory Committee regarding the current JBQ eligibility requirements. The JBQ National Guidelines currently indicate that a quizzer is eligible as long as he/she is "starting grade 6 as of September 1". After much discussion about changing to age requirements rather than grade, the committee opted not to modify this rule. However, one point of clarification is the following (which will NOT be added to the guidelines): If you have a Home School quizzer who is currently studying 7th grade school material (or higher), but would be in the 6th grade (based upon their age) if they attended public/private school, they remain eligible for Junior Bible Quiz. This rule does not apply very often, however it has happened on occasion so please be mindful of it.
4. Quizzers that participate in (NJ) Teen Bible Quiz are not eligible to also participate in (NJ) Junior Bible Quiz. Quizzers that participate in (NJ) Junior Bible Quiz are not eligible to also participate in (NJ) Pee Wee Bible Quiz.
If you have any questions about these rules, or regarding the registration process, please let me know. Thanks.
Blessings,
Rich Osborne Jr.
NJ JBQ Coordinator
