NAL GENERAL GAME INFORMATION

Question:  What happens at NAL competitions?

Answer: A team of 15 to 40 students under the direction of a coach play a four-quarter game focusing on subjects taught in class. Players use strategies to keep possession of a question sequence, learn teamwork as they huddle to answer a complex question, learn to problem-solve by preparing and presenting a solution to real-world problems, and engage in a fast-paced, quick-answer contest. Each leaguers champion plays in the National Tournament. We have fun by playing crosswords and using buzzers during practice. The team is given donuts for winning games. There are two groups on the team. The first group is the buzzer team. They play during the 1st, 2nd, & 4th quarters in answering English, math, science, and social studies questions. The second group is the presentation team. This group is presented a topic and must research it during the week. Players will then be given a question to answer on the topic and will prepare during the 1st and 2nd quarter. During the third quarter the presentation group will go on stage and give their answer to an audience and judges. For students who like to debate issues the NAL presentation team is their only opportunity at Smith Junior High. The presentation team also needs two artists.

Question:  What times do students dedicate to N.A.L?

Answer: The team will form in November. Students will participate in 8 to 9 games from January to February. Game days will alternate on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 until 6:00 and will be held in the auditorium. Practices will be held on Wednesdays from 3:45 until 5:00 and Friday morning from 8:00 until 8:45. Students may take the late bus on Wednesdays if they normally ride the bus. N.A.L. can lead to college scholarships.

Question:  How does a student make the team?

Answer: All students will have to tryout to make the team. Students who want to work in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarter will take a quiz based on facts from English, social studies, math, and science. Students who want to make the 3rd quarter team will perform a public speaking activity to tryout for the team. You may tryout for both groups. See Mr.Popovich in room 101 for materials to practice for the tryouts. Mr.Popovich’s contact information is wtpopovi@mpsaz.org and 472-9967. You may also be the camera person, the team manager, or artist.

1st Quarter

This quarter is like an individual test of knowledge. Each player is given a question and if they get it right then they get two points and if they get it wrong then the other team gets to steal for one point. There are five players per team.

2nd Quarter

This quarter is the teamwork round. Each team is given forty-five seconds to answer multi-part questions. Each question is worth three points to your team.

3rd Quarter

This quarter is like a presentation round. Each team is given the general topic before the meet so they can research as much before the meet as possible. Then, at the meet they are given the specific question within that general topic. Then, they are given time at the meet to put together a 3-5 minute presentation that is judged by the judges.

4th Quarter

This quarter is a one-on-one round. Each of the 5 players is matched up with one of the other teams players. Each group gets a question worth two points and if they get it wrong they lose one point. If both players are wrong, pass, or run out of time it goes to a free-for-all and anyone can answer. This round is where you win/lose most your points.