Battle of the Books - Coach Information

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presented by Howard County Library and the Howard County Public School System

2013 Coach Handbook

Coaching Responsibilities

The coach or designated adult for the team must attend one mandatory coaches meeting offered on either Tuesday, December 4 or Thursday, December 6 at 7 pm at Miller Branch, even if s/he has served as a coach in previous years. In addition, the coach or designated adult also needs to attend one of the Battle logistics meetings on Tuesday, March 19 or Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm at Miller Branch.


1. A coach can serve as coach for only ONE team.

2. Act as communication link between HCLS and team members and parents with all information for Battle of the Books, including book and ticket distribution.

3. BOB staff are not able to discuss information about students.

4. Notify HCLS of any special needs for your team.

5. Ensure that your team’s name has been confirmed by BOB staff as there is a chance that multiple teams have selected the same name. It is advisable to have alternate names discussed among your team in case of this. The last day to make changes to team name and students participating is February 4, 2013.

6. Coaches are responsible for submitting signed participation forms and signed photo release forms for themselves and each team member.

7. Ensure each team member understands which books on the reading list s/he is expected to read. Coaches may assign a certain student to be an "expert" on certain books. It will be to your team’s advantage to make sure that at least two team members read each book.

8. Read each of the books to assist teams with preparation.

9. Meet with the team regularly to offer encouragement, check on reading progress, foster team cohesiveness, and reinforce that team members learn authors’ names and other facts from the books. Teams will need to identify the title and author of the book for every answer.

10. Explain the answering and scoring procedures to your team. Please refer to the Answering and Scoring section of the Rules and Procedures.

11. Make sure your team demonstrates good sportsmanlike behavior during the battle.

12. Encourage team spirit. Students should name their teams and are encouraged to dress in team shirts or other spirit wear on the competition day. Teams are also encouraged to create a team banner, which they will carry during the processional. Book titles, authors and/or covers may NOT be a part of the team's costume or banner.

13. Please note: Since the competition takes place in a school gym, appropriate footwear must be worn so the floor is not damaged. This means that roller blades, skateboards, cleats, high heels, etc. are not allowed.

14. Ensure your team members and their families understand the rules of the Battle and expectations on the day of the Battle.

15. Ensure your team has transportation to their Battle location.

16. During the actual Battle, each coach will act as monitor for another team. You will be asked to:

• Make sure that the team you are monitoring remains quiet during the reading of the questions.
• Ensure that the team you are monitoring stops writing at the end of the 30-second time limit (whether answer is complete).
• Remain focused on the team you are monitoring. Please remember that these students need your encouragement.

Important Information to Provide to Parents

1. The Battle will be held from 7 pm to approximately 10:30 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013. Battle locations will be announced mid-November. Teams will be assigned their specific Battle location by February 2013. Once your team's location has been assigned, it is imperative that all parents are aware of the team's Battle location. If students arrive at the wrong location, they will need to travel to the correct location before 6:55 pm, or they will not be able to participate.

2. Signed participation forms and signed photo release forms are required for each coach and team member.

3. Due to fire regulations, seating is limited for audience members. Each team member will receive two tickets (distributed by the coach).

4. Children not participating in the Battle require a ticket and must be accompanied at all times by an adult. Children are not permitted to roam the school building unattended.

5.  If accompanied by their coach, students may check in at the school starting at 5:45 pm. All other students may begin checking in at 6 pm. All team members must be checked in by 6:55 pm. Any students arriving after that time will not be able to participate.

6.  It is advised to eat dinner before-hand. It is also advised to use a restroom before arriving at the school because bathroom space and time before the Battle is limited.

7. The Battle consists of four rounds of questions. There will be a 15 minute break after round two.

8. Because schools have limited snack and beverage machines, it is suggested that teams provide their own. Snacks may be left in the cafeteria, but HCLS is not responsible for these items.

9. No food or drinks are permitted in the gym. All will be confiscated.

10. No cell phones or other electronic devices are permitted on the gym floor.

11. As the Battle date approaches, please keep parents updated on information from HCLS.