Tournament Participation Requirements
- Q: My child is interested in going to the debate tournament. Do I have to complete the online registration form?
A: Yes! Completing the tournament registration form is required for participation, but does not guarantee it! Being late and not having an adult that will judge can jeopardize your child’s participation. - Q: Can my child come late and miss the first 1 – 2 debate rounds?
A: No! Your child can NOT start late and participate in the tournament. - Q: Can my child step out for lunch?
A: No! Your child can NOT leave for lunch, since the break won’t be very long. Your child will miss the reading of the next topic and be unable to prepare for the next round. Please keep in mind that your child’s partner will also be affected! We will have various lunch options for sale. Please pack a lunch if your child has specific dietary restrictions. - Q: Can my child leave for a couple of rounds or go home early?
A: No! Your child can NOT leave during the tournament or go home early, without being dropped from the tournament. They might be placed on probation for future participation. Please keep in mind that your child’s partner will also be affected, as well as the flow of the tournament! - Q: Can I just drop my child off?
A: No! Your child needs an adult guardian in attendance for the entire tournament, to be able to participate. Normally this will be the judge. - Q: What happens, if the judge will not be my child’s guardian?
A: Then you will need to also have an adult guardian present for the entirety of the tournament, in order for your child to participate. This could be the parents of your child’s debate partner. - Q: Why does my child need an adult that will volunteer as a judge at the tournament?
A: Debate tournaments are special, because we have a nearly 1 – 1 debater to judge ratio to fill. For every 4 debaters, we need 3 judges. Therefore, every student is required to provide an adult, who will volunteer as a judge for the entirety of the tournament. The judge will generally also be the guardian. - Q: Can the judge come late and miss the first 1 – 2 debate rounds?
A: No! Your child will not be able to participate, if the judge comes late. The judge needs to be present for entirety of the tournament, to ensure a smooth event for everyone. - Q: Can the judge step out for lunch?
A: No! The judge can NOT leave for lunch. The judge needs to be present for entirety of the tournament, to ensure a smooth event for everyone. - Q: Can the judge leave for a couple of rounds or go home early?
A: No! Your child might be placed on probation for future participation, if the judge leaves during the tournament or goes home early. The judge needs to be present for the entirety of the tournament, to ensure a smooth event for everyone. - Q: Can I switch my judging duties with another person throughout the tournament?
A: Generally this is not a problem. Please contact the Tournament Director Brier Buchalter with details. - Q: I have other children that I need to watch, can I be excused from judging?
A: No, sorry! Everyone is busy and faces the challenge of trying to free their schedule, or arrange for another adult that will fill in. - Q: I have another commitment, can I be excused from judging?
A: No, sorry! Everyone is busy and faces the challenge of trying to free their schedule, or arrange for another adult that will fill in. - Q: I have a medical emergency, can I be excused from judging?
A: Possibly. Please contact the Tournament Director Brier Buchalter ASAP with details. - Q: I will be out of town, can I be excused from judging?
A: Possibly. Please contact the Tournament Director Brier Buchalter ASAP with details. - Q: I signed up as the judge, but something came up and I can’t make it. Can I be excused from judging?
A: Perhaps, if it is an emergency. Please immediately contact the Tournament Director Brier Buchalter with details.
Tournament Registration
- Q: Can I register my child, even though he/she has or has not participated in a Debate Tournament before?
A: Yes! The tournament is open to any interested student with PRIOR Speech & Debate experience! - Q: Does my child need to be enrolled in the after-school Debate club, to be able to participate in the Debate Tournament?
A: No! Enrollment is NOT a prerequisite for tournament participation! - Q: Why does my child need prior Speech & Debate experience to participate in the Debate Tournament?
A: Just as with other sports, Debate requires some practice and learning of the format, rules and terminology, before joining in a competition. We do not mean to be exclusive, but would hate for your child to have a terrible first experience by joining the tournament. It will also be hard to find a partner for someone that has no experience. Feel free to contact us (brierbuchalter@gmail.com), so we can better assess your child’s situation.
Debate Partner
- Q: Does my child need to have a debate partner to participate in the tournament?
A: Yes, since they will be debating in teams of two! - Q: Does my child need to have a debate partner to register for the tournament?
A: No! Coach Brier can pair them with another student that is looking for a partner. We do our best to find someone suitable. Please be prepared that it might take a little while, before you will find out the partner’s name. - Q: What do I do, if my child ends up finding a partner, after registering without one?
A: No worries, that is great news. We always prefer for the kids to find their own partners. Please email us the partners name and we will update our records. If possible, please confirm your child’s partner with their parents first. Sometimes students make plans and forget. This can lead to two students having the same partner listed. We hope to minimize confusion, disappointment and hurt feelings. Thank you! - Q: Does my child have to keep the same partner for all tournaments?
A: No! They may change their partner! - Q: Can my child change partners?
A: Yes! It is their choice. We will not force them to partner with someone. Sometimes a friend registers late or both students find a more suitable partner. However, your child is responsible for letting their former partner know and making sure that they are OK afterwards (Not upset and dropping out of the tournament). Please also inform the former partners parents. Thank you! - Q: Can my child partner with their best friend?
A: Yes! We generally don’t recommend it, since there is always a chance that it could negatively affect their friendship. However, it really depends on the individual and how well they work together, as well as their ability to resolve possible conflicts (upset over losing or similar). - Q: Can my child partner with another boy/girl (boy/boy team & girl/girl team)?
A: Yes! Your child can partner with whoever they like. We generally recommend boy/girl teams, as it comes with some significant benefits. Most boys and girls have different opinions, preferences and experiences, which is crucial when preparing a debate round. In debate you want different, rather than the same! - Q: My child’s partner decided not to participate and didn’t register. What now?
A: Please let us know as soon as possible. We can give you a list of students without a partner. If there is time, your child may also try to find a new partner on their own. We’ll do our best to help find someone suitable. If possible, please confirm your child’s new partner with their parents first. Then email us (brierbuchalter@gmail.com) your child’s new partner’s name, so we can update our records. Thank you! - Q: My child’s partner registered, but suddenly can’t go to the tournament. What now?
A: Please let us know as soon as possible. We can give you a list of students without a partner. If your child finds a new partner that you confirmed, please email (brierbuchalter@gmail.com) us immediately. We MAY allow a switch after the registration deadline. - Q: My child’s partner registered, but we missed the deadline. What now?
A: Please email (brierbuchalter@gmail.com) us immediately! - Q: My child’s is registered, but their partner missed the deadline. What now?
A: Please have their parents email (brierbuchalter@gmail.com) us immediately!