What to Expect at a Tournament
Order of Events
Debaters should register when they arrive.
At registration, debaters will be given a schedule that lists their debates, rooms in which the debates will occur, and the side they will be debating at each debate. Sometimes a schedule is posted rather than providing individual copies.
Audiences are typically made up of a chairperson and one to four judges. Other interested viewers may be present, including classes if the debate is held during the daytime. At evening debates the audience is usually limited.
At the conclusion of each debate the judges may offer comments and advice to the debaters but will not reveal the results.
Refreshments are usually available between rounds (e.g. cookies, juice).
Awards are presented after all of the rounds of debating are concluded. There is a delay between the end of the debates and the presentation of the awards due to the need to enter the scores and calculate the results.
Scoresheets are either returned to the coach at the conclusion of the award ceremony or are mailed out a day or two after the tournament.
What is Expected of Debaters
- Have fun.
- Be polite to judges, officials and opponents.
- Shake hands after the debate.
- There is no dress code for tournaments although clothes should be neat and clean. Often males wear dress pants, dress shirt, tie and jacket or sweater while females wear the equivalent. Some schools wear their school uniform.
- You are expected to stay for the awards ceremony, even if you don't expect to win anything.
- You are expected to compete in all rounds and not to leave early.
- The judges may make oral comments after the debate. You should not respond to their comments when they are giving them because that can easily turn into an argument. The judges will not reveal the results in their comments.
- You should prepare for the debate.
- Please be on time.
- You should be quiet and attentive when your opponents are speaking.
- Do not ask your coach for help preparing the impromptu debate while at the tournament.
What is Expected of Judges
Please see the judging page.