The Holding Room: you will see a Spontaneous competition
time on the schedule. Report to the area marked Spontaneous
Holding Room 10 minutes before your scheduled time. One coach
may accompany you. Here, one team member will register the
team by giving the judge your long-term problem, division, and
membership name and number. You will wait in the Holding
Room until a judge escorts you to the competition room. Your
coach will remain in a designated area until you are finished.
Entering Spontaneous: Everyone on your team may enter
the room, however, only five will compete. The judge will tell you
what type of problem you will solve: hands-on, verbal, or verbal/
hands-on. You will have one minute to decide what five team
members will compete. If your team has five or fewer members
everyone must compete. Those not participating can stay and
watch or leave the room. If staying but not participating, you must
not talk, signal, or intervene. If that happens, you will be asked to
leave while time continues.
Starting Spontaneous: The judges will read your problem
aloud -- be sure to listen carefully because each problem has its
own set of rules. Once the judge finishes reading, you will get a
copy of the problem for reference. Then, the judge will say
"Begin" and time starts. You may ask questions, but your time
will continue. Sometimes the judge may tell you that they cannot
answer their specific question, but will refer you to the problem.
Judges will make every attempt to clarify the problem to make
sure you understand what the problem requires; but, judges cannot
help you solve the problem. The only time judges will interupt
you is if they cannot hear your response.
Competition is over: leave the room quietly and meet your
coach! While it is exciting to complete Spontaneous, it is important
not to discuss the problem with others outside of your team
until after the competition. Spontaneous problems are not subject
to the grievance process; but if you have a concern, someone
from your team should ask to speak to the Spontaneous
Problem Captain, who will then speak with the judges and the
entire team, if necessary.
International Spontaneous
Problem Captain
~ Joy Kurtz