Contestant Code of Ethics

As emissaries of their schools and communities, student contestants should adhere to the following rules. The moderator may ask a coach to provide a substitute for a player who does not comply.

• Remember that their behavior reflects upon their teammates, their coach, and their parents;

• React with sensitivity and encouragement to answers given by both teams;

• Shake hands with opposing team members at the conclusion of matches, and congratulate their efforts;

• Refrain from calling out or signaling answers to contestants and leave promptly and quietly if dismissed by the moderator from the match or premises for violating this rule;

• Dress appropriately and in accordance with their school dress codes;

• Write only their common first name and grade on name cards as required by the rules;

• Eat snacks and chew gum only during breaks between matches or before and after competition if allowed by the rules of the host school;

• Bring only water to the contestants' table;

• Turn off cell phones during matches; 

• Allow any objections or protests to be presented by their coaches;

• Respect the decisions of moderators as final and make no further protests or appeals once moderators ' rulings have been made;

• Wait to be called on by name and school before answering a question (5 point penalty),

• Neither record nor allow the recording of match questions by any means, including by hand , or by audio or video recording;

• Refrain from conferring during toss-up questions (5 point penalty) ;

• Refrain from passing notes or papers after time is called during a bonus question (5 seconds);

• Refrain from requesting prompts for bonus questions when playing varsity; and

• Become familiar with and abide by all Academic League rules of play.