Official Improv-Off Rules
--->The competition will take place in rounds
--->Rounds will be determined by the number of teams participating as follows:
4 teams – 2 rounds – 2 eliminated 2 remaining
5 teams – 2 rounds – 2 eliminated 3 remaining
6 teams – 2 rounds – 2 eliminated 4 remaining
7 teams – 3 rounds – 2 eliminated in rounds 1 & 2
8 teams – 3 rounds – 3 eliminated in round 1 & 2 eliminated in round 2
--->Each round will consist of 3-4 games
--->Each team will receive the chance to compete in every game played in every round
--->Games in preliminary rounds will be played as individual teams
--->At least one game in the final round will involve participation by different teams together in the same game. Points will be awarded to each team participating in that game. No one team will have the chance at more points than another
--->Teams will choose what members participate in what games. All team members must participate at least once per round
--->Each group may enter up to three teams
--->Each team must have at least four competing members
--->Each team is limited to eight competing members
--->All members must be age 18 or under
--->All members must be part of teams advising group (i.e. must attend school, must participate regularly with group etc.)
--->One member must be designated as captain who will serve as the spokesperson to the competition
--->All team members must be finalized one week prior to competition
--->Advisors will not be allowed on stage with teams. They may meet with teams during intermissions in the team break room only
---> A 10 minute intermission will follow each round
--->One judge will comment after each game played
--->Exact games will not be revealed before competition time. However, a list of games is available by clicking on IMPROVOFF! Games to the left of this page. Any games not listed will not be used
--->Entry fee is $25.00 per team. Entry fee must be paid one week prior to the competition.
Scoring
--->Each judge may award a total of 15 points per game played. Scores from each judge will be tallied and an official score given at the end of each game
---> Judges may award points as follows (categories described below)
5 for creativity
5 for appropriateness
5 for technique
---->Winners will be awarded based on total point accumulated from the entire competition
Creativity
The world of improvisation is vast and varied. Creativity points will be awarded based on originality of idea, complexity of idea, execution of idea and more. The world of creativity can be limited only by imagination and appropriateness.
Points in this category are often the most questionable as well. Remember that creativity is often perceived as originality, but it is also seen when an old idea is given a new twist.
Appropriateness
Contrary to popular culture in some cases, improvisation and humor do not have to be vulgar or insulting. We require that each team strive to be creative and successful without resulting to vulgar topics such as sex, drugs, racism, swearing, pornography and other topics that fall in line with these.
The line of appropriateness is a fine one to walk and it is best guided by the following; if you have to ask, chances are it should not be used. Our judges are human and if a slip up occurs or an idea is meant in another way, that will be seen and points will not be lost. In the event that these slip ups occur regularly, appropriateness points will be lost.
Technique
The world of improvisation is as well rounded as it is vast. Thus there are techniques that work well and techniques that cause problems. In general, the following is what our judges will be looking for in technique…
Openness – be open to what your teammates offer you in a game
Teamwork – some of the most painful improvisation is when a team does not work together and it is clear that the team is not working together
Use of time – dragging out games beyond the point is not fun for anyone
Ease of understanding – given the nature of improvisation, the audience must be able to catch on quickly. Overcomplicating an idea will result in loss of points
Rules – many improvisation games have general knowledge rules and not following those rules will lose points in this category
Bonus Points
Judges may award up to three bonus points in each round in any of the three point categories. Bonus points may only be awarded individually
--->Rounds will be determined by the number of teams participating as follows:
4 teams – 2 rounds – 2 eliminated 2 remaining
5 teams – 2 rounds – 2 eliminated 3 remaining
6 teams – 2 rounds – 2 eliminated 4 remaining
7 teams – 3 rounds – 2 eliminated in rounds 1 & 2
8 teams – 3 rounds – 3 eliminated in round 1 & 2 eliminated in round 2
--->Each round will consist of 3-4 games
--->Each team will receive the chance to compete in every game played in every round
--->Games in preliminary rounds will be played as individual teams
--->At least one game in the final round will involve participation by different teams together in the same game. Points will be awarded to each team participating in that game. No one team will have the chance at more points than another
--->Teams will choose what members participate in what games. All team members must participate at least once per round
--->Each group may enter up to three teams
--->Each team must have at least four competing members
--->Each team is limited to eight competing members
--->All members must be age 18 or under
--->All members must be part of teams advising group (i.e. must attend school, must participate regularly with group etc.)
--->One member must be designated as captain who will serve as the spokesperson to the competition
--->All team members must be finalized one week prior to competition
--->Advisors will not be allowed on stage with teams. They may meet with teams during intermissions in the team break room only
---> A 10 minute intermission will follow each round
--->One judge will comment after each game played
--->Exact games will not be revealed before competition time. However, a list of games is available by clicking on IMPROVOFF! Games to the left of this page. Any games not listed will not be used
--->Entry fee is $25.00 per team. Entry fee must be paid one week prior to the competition.
Scoring
--->Each judge may award a total of 15 points per game played. Scores from each judge will be tallied and an official score given at the end of each game
---> Judges may award points as follows (categories described below)
5 for creativity
5 for appropriateness
5 for technique
---->Winners will be awarded based on total point accumulated from the entire competition
Creativity
The world of improvisation is vast and varied. Creativity points will be awarded based on originality of idea, complexity of idea, execution of idea and more. The world of creativity can be limited only by imagination and appropriateness.
Points in this category are often the most questionable as well. Remember that creativity is often perceived as originality, but it is also seen when an old idea is given a new twist.
Appropriateness
Contrary to popular culture in some cases, improvisation and humor do not have to be vulgar or insulting. We require that each team strive to be creative and successful without resulting to vulgar topics such as sex, drugs, racism, swearing, pornography and other topics that fall in line with these.
The line of appropriateness is a fine one to walk and it is best guided by the following; if you have to ask, chances are it should not be used. Our judges are human and if a slip up occurs or an idea is meant in another way, that will be seen and points will not be lost. In the event that these slip ups occur regularly, appropriateness points will be lost.
Technique
The world of improvisation is as well rounded as it is vast. Thus there are techniques that work well and techniques that cause problems. In general, the following is what our judges will be looking for in technique…
Openness – be open to what your teammates offer you in a game
Teamwork – some of the most painful improvisation is when a team does not work together and it is clear that the team is not working together
Use of time – dragging out games beyond the point is not fun for anyone
Ease of understanding – given the nature of improvisation, the audience must be able to catch on quickly. Overcomplicating an idea will result in loss of points
Rules – many improvisation games have general knowledge rules and not following those rules will lose points in this category
Bonus Points
Judges may award up to three bonus points in each round in any of the three point categories. Bonus points may only be awarded individually
