Procedures

This tournament will follow policies set forth by the Texas Forensic Association Constitution (TFA). This tournament will follow Texas Forensic Association Tabulation Rules and will run such like an Individual Qualifying Tournament (IQT). This tournament is an internal tournament and is not sanctioned by the Texas Forensic Association.

Elimination Rounds: For this tournament, all 4-0s are required to break while some 3-1s may break. If an octo-final round is required, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

Protests: In the event a student feels that they have been judged incorrectly or there is an issue with tabulation, the student will submit a Protest Form which requires the sponsorship of a Debate Club Sponsor. The tabulation director reserves the right to deny a protest. If a protest is sustained, a double bye (win) will be given to both sides (preliminary rounds). If a protest is sustained in an elimination round, we are required by TFA Regulations to re-run the round with a new judging pool.

No-Shows: If a student cannot make a meeting, they are required to let tab staff know ahead of time. No-shows waste tournament time, your judges time, and your opponents time. If a no-show is found, the round will count as a BYE. The no-show student may be subject to removal from the tournament.

Tardy Policy: A student is considered a no-show if they arrive ten minutes after the scheduled start of the round. The debate MUST start after ten minutes. If the debater does not come in within the ten minute grace period, it will count as a no-show. Remember, if you cannot make the round due to a scheduled reason, let tab staff know so we can put you in Flight A or B.

Flights: In the event there is less entries and more judges than expected, we reserve the right to unflight a round. If we unflight, there will only be one flight per day, not two flights as estimated in the schedule.

A STUDENT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED IF…

The enter a room without the judge present.

Judging Policy Regarding Oral Critiques: If the tournament is delayed, it is unacceptable for a judge to hold a round and give oral critiques. If time allows, oral critiques are desirable, not may not be plausible.

SPECTATING RULES: If a student is still IN the tournament (has not been eliminated or is in prelims), they CANNOT spectate another debate round during their other flight. If you are in Flight B, you are expected to prep for your debate in the designated preparation area. If you are in Flight A, when you are done, you can go home.

Postings: Postings will be posted on Schoology and on the wall (posting stations) outside each sponsor’s door.

DISSEMINATION OF BALLOTS: Ballots will be coped, scanned, and posted on Schoology or Tabroom.com the following night if possible, or distributed during school. Until the tournament has ended, you cannot see each others ballots. According to TFA Rules, ballots must all be handed out prior to the start of elimination rounds.

Break List: Break list will be posted on Schoology as soon as all prelim results have been tabbed.

LD Debate Topic: Resolved: The United States ought not provide military aid to authoritarian regimes.