the basics of spontaneous
At a glance
- 5 team members participate
- Nobody know what the problem is going to be
- Walk into the room, do the problem, walk out of room
- Utter secrecy
- Three types of Spontaneous problems: Verbal, Verbal Hands-On, Hands-On
- YOU CAN COACH THE TEAM WITHOUT IT BEING OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
- Worth 100 points of the final 350
Spontaneous problems are unlike long term problems, because the team doesn't really "prepare" for them in the same way. You don't make props or costumes, instead you practice thinking creatively. I would recommend and reading the descriptions of the three types of problems to get a good idea of what spontaneous problems are like.
How spontaneous works in competition
When you arrive at competition, you will get a time for your long term performance and a time for spontaneous. For both you need to show up at least 15 minutes before your time. At spontaneous, the first area is a holding room. You check in there and wait with other teams until your officials are ready. In the holding room you can practice spont, chill with the other teams, and/or get pumped. Your team should also give you their phones during this time, you are a camel for the next 20 minutes or so. An official will come get your team and they'll go to the spont room without you. You then nervously wait for them to arrive at wherever you set as a meeting point. When they show up, they can't discuss the problem at all, or even say how it went. That's to prevent other teams from hearing the problem and getting an unfair advantage. It's for the best.
Team's point of view: After leaving with the official, the team is guided to their spont room. They will get in the room, and the first thing the judges say is "This is a [verbal, verbal hands-on, hands-on] problem. You have one minute to select which 5 members will participate." Your team chooses the members (they can do this before hand if you want) and the ones who aren't participating sit in a chair out of the way. The team will complete the problem, the judges will congratulate them on their good job, and they'll leave to meet you.
Team's point of view: After leaving with the official, the team is guided to their spont room. They will get in the room, and the first thing the judges say is "This is a [verbal, verbal hands-on, hands-on] problem. You have one minute to select which 5 members will participate." Your team chooses the members (they can do this before hand if you want) and the ones who aren't participating sit in a chair out of the way. The team will complete the problem, the judges will congratulate them on their good job, and they'll leave to meet you.
tips for doing well in spontaneous
- Practice each type of problem often
- You can coach the team in spontaneous. If people aren't speaking up, you can say "speak up". You can't do that in long term. In long term, you might have to ask "Do you think the audience will be able to hear you at that volume?"
- Figure out which team members are good at what, and use those strengths. Ex: Jimmy always says inappropriate answers in verbal problems, but is great at building structures in hands-on. Have him be on the "hands-on team" but not the verbal one.
- Confidence is key!!!! The judges like seeing teams who will joke around and are laughing. You can only do that if you aren't totally nervous.
- Maximize scoring. Where do you get points in the problem? Let's say it's a hands-on problem, and you get a 5 point deduction for crossing a line. However, if by crossing that line you stand to gain 50 points by making sure your objects get where they are supposed to be, then it might be worth it to get the deduction!
- ASK QUESTIONS. The way my team always did great in spont is by figuring out loopholes within the problem; you do this by asking questions.