This document is a modified form of the 2021 NSC Integrity Policy for general use at online quizbowl tournaments. This policy requires Zoom and buzzin.live to be used at the tournament. Tournament directors are free to use this policy in any form they see fit, including making modifications to better suit their needs.
PACE recommends tournament directors allow a 15 minute setup period just before starting the first round, where tournament staff verify that teams are in compliance with the integrity policy.
PACE recommends tournament directors designate one or more staffers as integrity monitors, who ensure teams are in compliance with the integrity policy, and that teams report integrity concerns to that integrity monitor.
Teams and players will be strictly held to the requirements of the integrity policy described below at all times. It is in the best of interest of teams to diligently follow these procedures. Any teams or players found to be not compliant will be prohibited from competition. Teams or players who deviate from procedure (i.e. keeping hands on camera) will be warned, which may be followed by ejection from the tournament if the problem persists (described below).
Teams may select one of the three setups listed below, depending on their ability to meet the requirements. We encourage teams to be as safe as possible and consider taking the following protective actions:
- Minimize in-person interactions as much as possible in the 10 days prior to the tournament
- Take a COVID-19 test several days prior to the tournament
- Become vaccinated against COVID-19
- Wear masks while in the same room as teammates
- Use a large, well-ventilated room for the tournament
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible while still adhering to the requirements
- Frequent hand washing
The following rules apply to all setups.
- Recordings or screenshots taken by players, coaches or spectators are not permitted during the tournament at any time.
- Virtual backgrounds are not permitted.
- In all setups, both hands of the player and the screen of the buzzing device must be visible.
- Affiliation tags must be provided in the Zoom display name (e.g. [XYZ-Coach] or [XYZ-SP]).
- Both coaches and spectators are permitted to watch matches, provided they are visible on camera (either with their own camera or in the same camera shot as the player). Coaches and spectators are not required to have their hands on camera unless instructed otherwise by tournament staff.
- Coaches or spectators affiliated with multiple teams in the field are not permitted to be present at more than one match at one time, nor are they permitted to transfer between Zoom meetings mid-match.
- Testing of equipment setups prior to gameplay are recommended to ensure the following:
- Moderators will be audible through the speaker.
- Your responses will be audible through the microphone.
- There are no sources of feedback/echo.
Players, coaches and spectators not in full compliance with the integrity policy will be asked by tournament staff to adjust their setup to be compliant with the policy. Furthermore, tournament staff are empowered to direct players to further modify their setup if they have reason to believe a player is compromising tournament integrity (such directions may include adjusting the camera angle to show surroundings or keeping the microphone unmuted). Any participant who refuses to comply with instructions from tournament staff regarding the integrity policy will be prohibited from competing or observing the tournament.
Setup 1
Equipment (per team)
- A device with webcam and capability to connect to Zoom meetings (either laptops or phones are acceptable)
- A device with microphone and capability to connect to Zoom meetings (optional)
- A phone or tablet for each player with capability to connect to BuzzIn.Live
- Charging cords for all devices
- Paper/notebook and writing utensil (optional)
Excluding the first webcam device (which should be at a distance from the players), the above items are the only items permitted to be within reach of players during the match.
Gameplay Rules
- Prior to the start of the match, make sure your workspace is prepared adequately.
- Arrange tables or desks so all players can sit and all face the same direction. Players cannot face away from the camera. Players should sit as far apart as practicable. Each player should have a surface in front of them to place a phone or tablet.
- Place the webcam device as close as possible while still being able to capture all players in the camera shot. It may help to raise the height of the device by carefully stacking something underneath, or have the camera shot be at an angle rather than straight on.
- Place the devices connected to BuzzIn.Live face-up on the table or desks, so that all the devices’ screens are visible in the camera shot.
- If your team chooses to use an optional device to serve as a close-by microphone and speaker: connect the device to the Zoom call. The screen of the microphone device should be either visible on camera, screen side down, or facing away from players. Mute the webcam device and set its volume to zero. Keep the second device’s microphone unmuted during the match.
- If your team chooses not to use an optional device to serve as a close-by microphone and speaker: the webcam devices should remain unmuted during the match.
- Teams using this setup are not permitted to switch microphones between muted and unmuted during gameplay.
- If some or all players are unable to acquire a phone or tablet to connect to BuzzIn.Live, a computer (per player) may be used instead. However, screens of computers connected to BuzzIn.Live must remain in the webcam shot.
- Players must keep both of their hands visible to the camera during gameplay. The only times during the match when one or both hands of players may not be visible on screen are:
- Between tossups and bonuses (but not between individual bonus parts).
- During bonuses for opposing teams.
- During halftime or timeouts.
- While tossups are being read, the screens of any devices within reach of players must remain visible to the camera at all times.
Setup 2
Equipment (per player)
- A device with capability to connect to both BuzzIn.Live and Zoom at the same time (computer or tablet only)
- One of two possible devices:
- An external webcam whose physical position is easily manipulated
- A device with webcam and capability to connect to Zoom meetings (computer, phone, or tablet)
- Paper/notebook and writing utensil (optional)
- Charging cords for all devices
The above list of items are the only items permitted to be within reach of players during the match.
Gameplay Rules
- Prior to the start of the match, make sure your playing space is prepared adequately.
- Set up your main computer/tablet with only two windows visible on the screen: the Zoom window for the call, and a browser window with BuzzIn.Live.
- If you are using a second device equipped with a webcam, log into the Zoom call with both devices. On the main computer, turn off your video, and on your second device, mute the microphone and turn the volume to zero.
- Whether you are using an external webcam or a second device equipped with a webcam, move it to a location where both the main computer screen and both of your hands are visible. This could be off to one side, above your head, or behind you entirely, as long as you are able to satisfy that requirement.
- Players must keep both of their hands visible to the camera during gameplay. The only times during the match when one or both hands of players may not be visible on screen are:
- Between tossups and bonuses (but not between individual bonus parts).
- During bonuses for opposing teams.
- During halftime or timeouts.
- While questions are being read:
- The screen of the device connected to BuzzIn.Live must remain visible to the camera at all times.
- Both hands must be visible from the camera while the moderator is reading the question. It is not necessary for the player’s face to be in the shot (although it is preferred, to enrich the online quizbowl experience).
Setup 3
Equipment (per player)
- A device with the capability to connect to Zoom (computer or tablet only)
- A device with the capability to buzz on BuzzIn.Live (typically either a phone or tablet)
- Paper/notebook and writing utensil (optional)
- Charging cords for all devices
The above list of items are the only items permitted to be within reach of players during the match.
Gameplay Rules
- Prior to the start of the match, make sure your playing space is prepared adequately.
- Set up your main computer/tablet and log into the Zoom call. Make sure you can click the mute button on and off easily with one hand while keeping the other on screen.
- Set up your second device to prepare to connect to BuzzIn.Live. The entire screen of this device must be visible in the camera shot during gameplay.
- Players must keep their face, both of their hands, and the screen of their buzzing device visible to the camera during gameplay. The only times during the match when one or both hands of players may not be visible on screen are:
- Briefly, to unmute your microphone (only one hand may be off-screen).
- Between tossups and bonuses (but not between individual bonus parts).
- During bonuses for opposing teams.
- During halftime or timeouts.
- While questions are being read:
- The screen of the device connected to BuzzIn.Live must remain visible to the camera at all times.