Spontaneous

First-Year Coaches

2

Separate from Long-Term and StyleTypes of Spontaneous Problems• Verbal – solve with multiple verbal

responses• Hands-on – create a physical solution• Verbal/Hands-on (Hybrid) – has aspects of

bothTeams will have only one problem at

tournament, but they should practice all three types

Only 5 team members can compete at tournament, but practice with all• Primary teams - all 7 may compete

Spontaneous

3

• Typically has “thinking time” and“response time”

• Each team member gives a separate response in sequence

• Score: typically 1 point per common response, 3 or 5 per creative or humorous• May have to build a story – more

creative on how they enhance the story

• Don’t have to create a solution (e.g. time machine), just name it

Verbal Spontaneous Problems

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• Example: “You discover mice in your home. How do you get rid of them?”– Common responses:• Use mousetraps• Get a cat

– Creative responses:• Lay trail of cheese to neighbor’s

house• Build a mouse wheel for them to

play on outside

Verbal Spontaneous Problems

5

• Team members may talk and work together unless problem says they cannot

• Only the materials provided can be used to solve the problem (some may not be altered)

• May have Part I (build & practice) and Part II (run for score) or only one time period (build, practice & tested for score)

• Score: Based on how well the team solved the problem, the creativity of its solution, and teamwork

Hands-On Spontaneous Problems

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• Example: “Create the tallest structure you can with the following materials:

• 8 Dixie cups• 1” cube of clay• 4 mailing labels• 2 paper clips• 20 toothpicks• 2’ piece of yarn• Scissors (may not be altered,

may not be part of solution)

Hands-On Spontaneous Problems

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• May have separate Hands-On and Verbal segments

– Part I – “Use these materials to build inhabitants of a zoo.”

–Hands-on: team members can talk and work together

– Part II – “On your turn tell how the inhabitants might interact with each other.”

–Verbal: team members give individual responses

Verbal/Hands-On Spontaneous Problems

8

• May be verbal problem with props– “On your turn, select two items from the

table and use them to describe the best(or worst) birthday party”–A plastic cup–A pinwheel–A birthday candle–A noise maker–A birthday napkin–A bouncy ball

Verbal/Hands-On Spontaneous Problems

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• Help kids become comfortable with brainstorming and creative use of materials

• DO NOT do full problems until January• Practice spontaneous skills every meeting• Can be used to “limber up” minds for long-

term or style work• Can be used as choreographed

brainstorming

Spontaneous score is almost 30% of totalDon’t leave until last minute

Developing Spontaneous Skills

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• Don’t assume limits that aren’t really there

• Practice problems available– Books of past problems (don’t need to

read all verbiage to team for early practice)

– Resources on the internet

• Can have parents or team members help create and/or set up problems

There is no Outside Assistancein Spontaneous

Developing Spontaneous Skills

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• Generate many responses during thinking time

• Listen to each other (teamwork)• Don’t wait to be called• Speak loudly and clearly• Make jokes, rhyme, sing, have fun!• What to do when you’re stuck• Afterward, review answers with team

Practicing Verbal Spontaneous

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–Everyone should be involved and have a role –Listen carefully to the rules• May you talk and work together?• Two-part or one-part problem?• How are you scored? (Go for the max!)

–Explore creative uses of common items• How can you make it long?• How can you make it strong?• How can you make it stand up and not fall over?

–If the problem doesn’t say you can’t,then you can (if in doubt, ask a judge)–Don’t run out of time!

Practicing Hands-On Spontaneous

Thank You!Questions?

Contact Mary Francavilla Coaches Mentor

720-934-4059 coaches@coloradoodyssey.org