How the LTAB Slam Works:

• Each team has a minimum of four and a maximum of six poets, aged 13-19 on each team.
• Each team competes in two preliminary bouts.
• Individual poet competitors compete in two preliminary bouts.
• The four top-ranking teams will compete in team finals.
• The six top-ranking poets whose teams do not make it to finals will compete in the individual poet finals.
• Teams must prepare at least one individual poem per member and one group poem.
• Individual poets must prepare at least two poems.
• If you’re on a team or an individual poet who makes it to the finals, you have the option to either reuse the poems from the preliminary bouts or to use new poems.
• Slam is a game.  A mixed panel of artists, educators, youth and audience members judges each bout.  Judges are in no way affiliated with the teams who participate in LTAB.  Judges are given criteria for judging poems according to performance and the strength of the written text.   
• The six high-scoring individuals in finals from both teams and individual finals will be invited to attend Brave New Voices, the National Teen Poetry Festival to be held in Chicago, July 2009.

Louder Than a Bomb RULES:

• Participants must be between 13-19 years old, enrolled in High School or a GED program.
• Participants must be sponsored by an adult mentor.
• No profanity (scores will be penalized).
• Each piece must be under three minutes in length. Scores will be penalized for going over the time limit.
• Each participant must perform a piece of original writing. Participants that plagiarize will be disqualified.
• Each team member must participate in the writing and performance of the original group piece.
• Props and/or musical accompaniment may not be used inthe slam.
• Participants must attend the Feb. 21 Crossing the Street (more info upon registration) event in its entirety. Non-attendance will result in disqualification.
• Only one team per school/youth organization (for example, one high school may not send four teams to slam). Poets in LTAB should be chosen to represent the organization or school where they come from.
• Teams must send the same poets whose names are on the entry form; unless the LTAB organizers are otherwise notified before the day LTABbegins.
• Every participant must be physically present and checked in at least 30 minutes before their bout begins.
• Content matter may not exceed a PG-13 rating (avoid excessive violence, sexually explicit content and /or language that is degrading to any group of people). Failure to heed the PG-13 rating will result in disqualification.

For Teams Only:

• Teams must have a minimum of four team members and a maximum of six team members. There are five rounds in each team bout. The first four rounds are for individual pieces. The final round is for group pieces.
• No poet may compete in more than one individual round in a single bout.
• While up to six members of a team may contribute to the writing of a group piece, only four team members may perform the group piece, all four must have been involved in the writing of the piece.

For Individuals Only:

• Individuals must prepare at least two pieces.
• Individuals will compete in two bouts, performing a different piece in each bout.
• Individuals may not repeat pieces in preliminary bouts.

Louder Than A Bomb Recommendations:

• We encourage you to memorize the poems you will compete with, though it is not required.
• Alternate team members are encouraged.
• Performances will be judged on both written and performance qualities. Keep this in mind when preparing.
• Rehearse! Be certain that each team member is audible and understandable.
• Material that is offensive to individuals or groups of people may cause you to lose points with judges.
• Be respectful of yourself, the youth writing community and the group you represent.
• If you register and find out later that you will not be able to attend, please notify LTAB organizers ASAP so that an alternate team can have the chance to participate in the slam.