Team Formation
Teams may have from two to six members on their team roster. Brain Bowl does not recognize teams with only one team member.
A maximum of five team members may compete in a single round. If a team has a full team roster of six team members, one of the team members must sit out during each round. The team member that sits out is referred to as "the alternate."
The alternate may replace any other team member at the beginning of subsequent rounds, including the Written Round. No replacements may be made once a round is underway.
Once the alternate for a round has been determined, that person becomes a spectator for that round. The alternate may not shout out answers, signal or interact with team members in any way during the round competition. Alternates are not allowed in the written competition room.
Teams that play with more than six total team members during the competition will be disqualified.
Competition Levels
The Optimist Brain Bowl is a competition for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Teams may not have team members in grades lower than 6th grade or higher than 8th grade.
Teams compete for awards by grade level. The highest grade level team member determines the competition level of the team. A sixth grade team may have only sixth grade students on its roster. A team competing at the seventh grade level may have sixth grade team members but must have at least one seventh grade team member and no eighth grade students. Eighth grade teams may have sixth and seventh grade students on the roster but must have at least one eighth grade student.
Awards are given to the 1st through 4th Place teams in each grade level.
Remember, you must register and attend the tournament to which your school has been assigned.