Rules and Resources
As a qualifying Regional Competition of the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) program, the Ohio Regional High School Ethics Bowl uses the same format, cases, and rules as the NHSEB.
For resources to aid in preparing for the 2026 Ohio Regional High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB), please visit NHSEBAcademy: an online space for learning about and around the National High School Ethics Bowl. There, you’ll find a library of static resources in various formats (print, graphic, etc.), a growing collection of informational and instructional videos produced and curated by NHSEB HQ, opportunities for live, on-demand coaching assistance or practice scrimmages with UNC-based Ethics Bowl coaches via the NHSEBAcademy Studio Hours initiative, and an annual series of events for NHSEB students, coaches, and community members: NHSEBAcademy Live https://nhsebacademy.org/live . If you would like to take advantage of coaching assistance, but are unable to book appointments via NHSEBAcademy Studio for any reason, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you in finding a time for site visits (in-person or virtual) with a UNC-based volunteer.
Rankings and Tie-Breakers
At the Ohio High School Ethics Bowl, each team will participate in four preliminary matches, with teams assigned to matches by random draw. At the end of the fourth round, teams will be ranked by the number of wins (0-4). When two or more teams have the same number of wins, the following tiebreakers will be exercised, in this order of operations:
Lowest number of losses (so a team that has 2 wins, 1 tie, and 1 loss will rank higher than a team with 2 wins and 2 losses).
Highest number of judge votes (over the course of four rounds, a team has the opportunity to win the votes of 12 judges. If two teams finish with 4 wins, but one team has 11 judge votes and the other has 10, the team with 11 votes is ranked higher).
Greatest point differential over all four matches (if two teams have 3 wins and 1 loss and 9 judge votes, and Team A has a total point differential of +30 [winning two matches by 12, winning one match by 10, and losing one match by 4] while Team B has a point differential of +28 [winning one match by 11, winning two matches by 9, and losing one match by 1], Team A will be ranked higher in the standings).
Highest point total over all four matches.
A coin toss.
If they occur in Preliminary Rounds, ties will be noted in the official record as such (e.g., a tie result with judges’ votes split, 1.5-1.5). In Elimination Rounds, in accordance with NHSEB rules, judges will be explicitly instructed to avoid awarding ties insofar as possible. In case of ties during elimination matches, the NHSEB Director will implement the application of the cumulative tie-breaker procedure as defined above.
For more information about scoring and ranking procedures, please review the NHSEB Rules Manual.
Scoring data
During the Ohio High School Ethics Bowl, limited scoring data (i.e., the voting result and teams’ point totals) will be provided to coaches at the end of each match. Data from all match rooms will be compiled and certified by the event organizers. Full scoring breakdowns, as well as individual Judges’ score sheets and written comments, will be made available after the competition has concluded. Individual score sheets will not be made available between Preliminary and Elimination Rounds during the NHSEB.