officials & Volunteers
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Blue Crab Bowl documents and handouts that you need for your reference and use are found below.  The 2009 handouts are now posted.

If you have trouble downloading or opening the files, please contact BCB webpage manager, Carol Hopper Brill by e-mail or phone (804-684-7735).

Volunteer Overview of Competition This thumbnail sketch of how the Bowl competition works provides a good overview for volunteers or observers.  Another version is available on the NOSB’s website (www.nosb.org) in the Volunteer section.

BCB Volunteer Job Thumbnails Brief sketches of the BCB volunteer jobs.  Review this for an overview of responsibilities.  A good place to start if you don’t know which job is best choice for you.

Game in a Crab Shell Blue Crab Bowl competition overview This summary describes: competition question types, scoring and answer acceptability; the roles of competition officials; competition timing and clocks; and the schedule of round-robin and double-elimination formats.

BCB Moderator Summary Describes in moderate detail the responsibilities of the Moderator.  Adapted from the NOSB document with details particular to BCB.  A good one-page working reference, but there’s more detail in the BCB Officials Details document.

BCB Rules Judge Summary Describes in moderate detail the responsibilities of the Rules Judge.  Adapted from the NOSB document with details particular to BCB. A good one-page working reference, but there’s more detail in the BCB Officials Details document.

BCB Science Judge Summary Describes in moderate detail the responsibilities of the Science Judge.  Adapted from the NOSB document with details particular to BCB. A good one-page working reference, but there’s more detail in the BCB Officials Details document.

BCB Timekeeper Summary Describes in moderate detail the responsibilities of the Timekeeper.  Adapted from the NOSB document with details particular to BCB. A good 1-page working reference, but there’s more detail in the BCB Officials Details document.

BCB Scorekeeper Summary Describes in moderate detail the responsibilities of the Scorekeeper.  Adapted from the NOSB document with scoring instructions particular to BCB. A good one-page working reference, but there’s more detail in the BCB Officials Details document.

BCB Room Runner Summary Describes in moderate detail the responsibilities of the Room Runner at the BCB.  A one-page working reference, but see the BCB Officials Details document for more detail.

Team Challenge Question Grader Describes in moderate detail the tasks and responsibilities of the TCQ grader at BCB.  A one-page working reference, see the Officials Details document for more detail.

BCB OFFICIALS DETAILS** This 17-page document contains detailed instructions for ALL the BCB officials’ jobs, including when tasks take place, interactions between officials, specific instructions, scripts to use and more.  A must-read for all officials if you want to become competent in competition operations, jobs and key rules.

NOSB 2009 Compete Competition Rules** This is the ultimate resource for conducting BCB and other regional competitions.  Rules are sorted by categories: team eligibility; competition structure; game operations; answer acceptability; timing and scoring; end of time and tie-breaks; challenges; and misc.  All officials must read and understand these rules.

BCB Match Outline** Step-by-step itinerary of match events and the timing of each official’s tasks. A must-read guide for understanding competition operations and official’s jobs.

Times-Up Flow Chart Moderator and Rules Judge follow this guide in conducting competition events and questions when the end of round buzzer rings.  Identifies applicable NOSB rules.

Match Set-Up Instructions A checklist of match set-up equipment and supplies, plus diagram of exactly how the competition tables should be set up for two teams.  Includes other instructions on room set-up and supply.