SpeedPuzzling.Club Admin Page
Ideas for Setting up a SpeedPuzzling.Club
  • Make sure to include members of your school administration in important discussions.
  • If your school has an annual Open House near the start of the year, consider putting together a speed puzzling table.  Display puzzles and other resources from your Starter Kit.
  • Consider hosting an evening Speed Puzzling Q & A session.  You can share information with students and their parents about existing events and resources, show contest videos, etc.
  • Choose a well-lit classroom or other space to hold your practice sessions.
  • Choose a good day and time for your practice sessions (for example, Thursdays from 4-5p).
  • Introduce a 100-piece sprint during a lunch break, homeroom, or as a downtime filler after you finish up a class instruction session.  Use two of the same 100-piece puzzles from your Starter Kit to allow two students to duel.  (Make sure to record their finish times on a time sheet!)
  • Send an informative flyer out to parents in a newsletter, in backpacks, etc.
  • Use a Google form to gather information from interested students/parents.
  • If you get a large number of interested students, consider breaking out by grade levels (for example, K-5, 6-8, 9-12).
  • Ask parents, teachers, or community members to donate additional puzzles.
Getting started with your SpeedPuzzling.Club
  • During your first practice session, have each student start out by dueling with another student using the pair of same 100-piece puzzles from your Starter Kit.  Record their finish times on a time sheet.
  • Have each student time themselves completing the other 100-piece puzzle.
  • Pair up your students in preparation for your Pairs practice session.  You could rank them in order from fastest students and pair the fastest with the slowest, 2nd-fastest with 2nd-slowest, etc.  Or you could allow them to choose their own teammates.
  • For your Pairs practice session, have each pair select a 300-piece puzzle from your Starter Kit and time themselves completing it.  Rotate the puzzles over the course of a few sessions to ensure everyone has a chance to do each one.  Record their finish times on a time sheet.
  • Form teams of 4 and hold a Team practice session.  Have each team select a 500-piece puzzle from your Starter Kit and time themselves completing it.  Rotate the puzzles over the course of a few sessions to ensure everyone has a chance to do each one.  Record their finish times on a time sheet.
  • Select your fastest speed puzzler and have them choose a SpeedPuzzling.com 300-piece Solo contest to attend via Zoom.  One contest is included with your Starter Kit!  Coordinate with Jonathan to ensure timely delivery of that puzzle.  If possible, hold a watch party (either in person or virtually) so the rest of the SpeedPuzzling.Club members can cheer them on.
  • Consider hosting a SpeedPuzzling.Club contest so your club members can experience an in-person event.  See information below for details.
Hosting a SpeedPuzzling.Club Contest
  • Decide what division you want to hold: Solo, Pair, or Team.
  • Choose a puzzle piece count appropriate for your age group and division.  For example, most students should be able to complete a 200-piece puzzle Solo within an hour.  Most Pairs should be able to finish a 300-piece puzzle together within an hour, and most Teams should be able to finish a 500-piece puzzle within an hour.
  • Decide on an appropriate time limit.
  • Choose an unannounced puzzle brand and image for your contest.  See here for ideas.  Coordinate with Jonathan if you need help choosing or procuring them at a reasonable cost.
  • Order your contest puzzles--all of the same image.  Keep them hidden from your SpeedPuzzling.Club members so nobody has an unfair advantage.  In preparation for your contest, seal each one in an opaque poly mailer or paper shopping bag.  If necessary, use tape or staples so nobody can peek inside.
  • Pick a well-lit venue, date, and time for your contest.  Ensure enough lead time to receive the contest puzzles.
  • Decide whether to offer prizes for your top 1-3 winners.
  • Announce the contest to your SpeedPuzzling.Club members and any other students who may be interested in participating or watching.
  • On the day of the contest, set up enough tables and chairs for your competitors.  6-foot x 30-inch rectangular tables are optimal for these events.  Round tables are also acceptable, but they should be 4 or 5 feet in diameter (not 6-foot).
  • If possible, display the timer on a big screen at the front of the room.
  • Announce the rules, any sponsors, prizes, important logistics, etc.
  • Count down "3, 2, 1, GO!" and watch competitors to make sure you catch each finish as it happens.
  • As a courtesy, if any puzzle pieces fall on the ground, either pick them up for the contestants, or let them know they have a piece on the floor.
  • As each contestant finishes, pay close attention to their finish time and record it on a time sheet.  Celebrate with them as they finish.
  • Send your completed time sheet (with all the finishers) to Jonathan so he can post them on your Club web page.