Face-Offs

Every player for him/herself, playing only Face-Offs; keep score.

Read the first half of a Face-Off and have the team anticipate what the rest of the question will be.

Give an answer and challenge the team to recite relevant facts.

Read a series of short clues; players should buzz-in when they know the answer.

A series of short clues to each answer, all in the same topic.

Show blank maps and ask the players to buzz-in when they know the city or state or country to which you are pointing. Or, reverse it and ask them to point to a place you name.

African American calendar/history game. Give them a date and ask them to buzz-in with what occurred. Or, reverse it and name an occurrence, asking them to buzz in with the date.

Current Events/Pop Culture drills. Write short 2-4 clue Q's from Time, Newsweek, US News & World Reports, Business Week, Jet, Ebony and People.

Play "Blackout Jeopardy". Tape the TV show but play only the audio. Have players buzz-in when they know the answer.

Create and use "study lists" for quick drills:

• The periodical table of elements

• Key scientific terms and scientists (chemistry, biology, astronomy, computer science, earth sciences, engineering, math, physics, etc.)

• Famous literary works and authors of the 19th and 20th Century

• Key dates in African American history

• Biblical figures and passages

• Arts figures and works (plays, classical music, operas, paintings, sculptures and dance)

• Psychological terms and psychologists

• Sociology terms and sociologists

• Economics terms and economists

• Law, constitution and political science (legislation, legislators and theory/theorists) and American history

• Recent business stats, achievements, mergers, bankruptcies, new CEOs, etc.

• Recent sports records, long-time records, athletes' recent performances, team trading, moves, management and coaching changes

• State and world capitals

Bonuses

Play a version of “Password” in which one player is given a card with a category on it, such as “Presidents,” along with the name of several Presidents. A player must use a few seconds to list some facts about the first name on the list and a second player must try to come up with the name. This drill sharpens recognition and recall and should be strictly timed.

Play a few rounds in which only two players may work together on bonuses.