Team Rules and Clauses

* The Star-Spangled Banner - If students wish to sing on the bus during away trips, students on the bus must sing the Star-Spangled Banner first. Once The Star-Spangled Banner has been completed, singing may commence.
* First McGaughey Clause - Do not pre-empt a pre-empt. (i.e. Do not buzz early on a tossup that was incorrectly answered early by the opposing team. Wait until the question is read completely by the moderator.) (Named after SWHS team member Laura McGaughey, '08)
** Springfield Clause - The First McGaughey Clause is considered null at tournaments when powers are in play. If an early buzz can gain the team a power after the opposing team has incorrectly buzzed, the First McGaughey Clause is suspended. (The necessity of this clause was confirmed during the 2015 Springfield Invitational Tournament. Debate exists as to whether this clause should be named the Montgomery Clause.) 
* Second McGaughey Clause - Do not talk while the school bus is crossing over railroad tracks. (Named after SWHS team member Laura McGaughey, '08)
* Third McGaughey Clause - Do not engage in a romantic relationship with another member of the team. (Named after SWHS team member Laura McGaughey, '08)
* Culver's Clause - Whenever the Southwestern Scholastic Bowl team travels to a tournament north of Interstate 80, the team must stop for dinner at a Culver's Restaurant, this clause may be adjusted if a Portillo's is within the immediate area. In all cases, Portillo's trumps Culver's.
* Jones Clause - Not buzzing in when you know the answer. (Named after SWHS team member Darby Jones, '15)
*Daniel Woodman Clause - playing 3 tossups, answering 1,and making an All-Tournament team. (Named after SWHS team member Daniel Woodman, '14)
*Simmons Clause- When answering a question during a match, do not use first names unless specified to do so in the question. (Named after SWHS team member Jacob Simmons, '15)
*Hartley Clause - When attending tournaments where dress shirts are required, students must wear an undershirt. (Named after SWHS team member Eathan Hartley, '23)