After the completion of what most consider to be the climax of the year, we are interested in what it takes to succeed next year. So, I (George Lindsay) decided to get input from the collective brain for another exciting edition of “Around the Horn.”
First, What do you consider the Bible Quiz offseason?
Barker’s Answer–
There is no offseason. True, from Post-AACS April through Mid-November there are not many national tournaments (although Matt West is working hard to change that). But this time is just as important as the tournament time. During the summer, when no one is pushing you, remember “somewhere someone is working harder and when you meet they will win.”
Callaway’s Answer–
After nationals until August when you have the starts of the PQA, FQA, etc. I would say that it’s a lot like the offseason in any sport though – the “athletes” who train the best during the offseason are most likely to have great seasons the next year.
Phillips’s Answer–
We’ve always had our quiz program run hand in hand with the regular school year. Summer is the off season.
Startup’s Answer–
I think most people would say that the offseason would be in summer, but for old people like me, summer is our time to shine, with the Independence Day Spectacular. Soon after that, the normal quizzing begins. So personally for me, there is no offseason.
LINDSAY’s Decision–
I think the philosophy of Barker, Callaway, and Startup is the proper one. True there are limited opportunities, but that can really be a time to separate yourself. The top two teams this year were ardent studiers before their first competition. Callaway’s answer is slightly the most inclusive, point to him.
When do you think a good team should get started?
Barker’s Answer–
“There is no time like the present…” No longer are we in the days of waiting till January to start memorizing. I would suggest a couple of weeks off, but by the beginning of May I would hop back on the passages and start falling in love with Hebrews and 1&2 Peter.
Callaway’s Answer–
Learn a couple of chapters maybe before the end of the school year, but don’t fret if you don’t. The section isn’t very long this year so you will have plenty of time to make it up
later on and you’ll be more effective with a fresh brain. If I were the coach of a team, I would have some inner-team quizzing this summer, but limit it to both Peters at the most.
Phillips’s Answer–
I think a good team should start getting ready for the quiz year in late August or early September. That way the team can rest up from the previous year, and be ready for the “half text” tournament at the NYC.
Startup’s Answer–
RIGHT NOW. Seriously, there are several tournaments coming up (mostly in Florida, he he) that are available to “kick off” the new year. These tournaments are sure to be “spectacular” if new teams attend. (wink, wink). Seriously though, if not now, then sometime during the summer, and try to attend as many tournaments as possible.
LINDSAY’s Decision–
Exactly. The harder you work now, the more work from December to April can be review. Just imagine how strong your team would be if you did nothing but review the text for five months before getting to the biggest quiz. On a year like this year, when the section is relatively short, many people will slack off and wait until the last minute. Early work can be a huge edge. I like how Startup gives a real practical addition to his answer. Point to Startup.
At early events, can a whole team compete together or must individuals compete separately?
Barker’s Answer–
During the summer you don’t have to be so worried about chemistry and coming together as a team. Tournaments like the IDS are great because you still get the competitiveness but in a more relaxed setting. Just have fun memorizing and quizzing. Coming off AACS I know I sometimes lost the enjoyment aspect of quizzing. During the summer just have a blast memorizing and quizzing
over God’s word. Quizzing with other people was fun, but my best friends were my teammates so even if I had the choice I still would have picked them. Just make sure you are doing it because you love it!
Callaway’s Answer–
I think the summer is a great time to set up your own little quiz team. It will be a chance for your strongest quizzers to be competitive with each other on different teams, and push the weaker or younger quizzers to be better so they can have the best team. It’s easier to stay motivated quizzing as a team than saying to Quizzer X, “memorize these chapters and we’ll meet back at the start of school.”
Phillips’s Answer–
I guess I was deprived of “off season” stuff. How ’bout a point for honesty.
Startup’s Answer–
I am not sure a quiz team would want to continue to practice during the offseason, especially if they are a school. The coach should still assign chapters with the team in mind. Except for obvious tournaments, I think a team should stick together.
LINDSAY’s Decision–
Phillips, your answer should have definitely said individual work. That can be done whether or not there are events. I really like the way Barker’s answer runs the gambit and includes every foreseeable option. Point to Barker.
Scoring Recap– Barker 1, Callaway 1, Startup 1. Phillips is eliminated.
Favorite early season Bible Quiz memory?
Barker’s Answer–
My favorite memory of early season quizzing has nothing to do with quizzing. On Fridays during the summer we would meet and memorize for an hour then quiz for an hour, and usually we would all play soccer for about the next two hours. Those days we had so much fun. The IDS last year was pretty sweet too.
Callaway’s Answer–
First PQA quiz 12th grade year. We had a pretty stacked PQA team with David, Russell, and Freddy; but we got drilled in our first quiz. Joy Burrows pretty much single handedly dominated the chapters that I knew, and she’s always my scorekeeper at NYC so we always joke about that now.
Startup’s Answer–
I remember the September 2002 quiz over John, and the day before the quiz I busted my lip open and cracked my tooth. I still quizzed, but we lost. However, the next competition I was the highest quizzer, our team won, and my lip was healing! Hurrah!
LINDSAY’s Decision–
Who am I to judge memories. But alas, Barker and Startup gave two memories, while Callaway’s answer mentioned Mr. Dove (Doh vay). Ongoing jokes aside, you have been eliminated.
Hardest situation to get restarted for the next year?
Barker’s Answer–
Every situation is uniquely difficult. Going into your senior year is probably the most difficult, though. Your senior year you are incredibly busy with other things, quizzing isn’t new anymore, you’ve been there before, and it is easy to just chill. Remember, it is your last year, appreciate it, have fun with it, realize you are doing it for more than just quizzing, and
remember that there are people looking at you who are going to follow in the choices that you make.
Startup’s Answer–
If your team gets behind, the schedule is merciless. Your team is forced to play catch-up. Of course, my team NEVER has that problem.
LINDSAY’s Decision–Those are both great answers. I was thinking more along the lines of the second place team in the nation. Winning is encouraging, and being a little off pace can be too. But to be right there and maybe just a faulty two-team strategy away from winning it all is the most depressing in my mind. Barker’s answer, however, is more thorough and ultimately the winning answer. Congratulations, Jeremy Barker. You are on the list of winners.