UDL Middle School Nationals
2022 — Online, MA/US
Public Forum Debate
Event Description:
Topic
PF Topic will be determined in advance by leagues attending no later than April 11, 2022.
Coin Flips
Following current NSDA rules, the round begins with a coin flip. The winner of the flip may choose which side of the topic to defend OR which speaking position to uphold. The other team makes the alternative choice.
NSDA Campus/Tabroom.com will manage the coin flip. Five minutes after a pairing is released, the teams will be notified who won the flip, enabling that team to make their selection. Debaters must check their email for the tabroom link! If they miss their chance, the other team will be given the choice. When they have chosen, or if five minutes elapses without a choice (8 minutes in elims), the second team will be offered the remaining choice. If a system-wide error occurs, judges will manage the flip in the room - tab will notify judges if this is necessary, judges may NOT flip unless notified by tab.
Structure of a Round
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Constructives - 4 min
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Crossfire between 1st speakers - 3 min
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Rebuttals - 4 min
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Crossfire between 2nd speakers - 3 min
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Summaries - 3 min
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Grand Crossfire - 3 min
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Final Focus - 2 min
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The structure of a round is not modifiable, with the exception that speakers are not required to use all of their speech/crossfire time. That time is simply absorbed, not transferred to other activities.
Prep time
3 minutes - teams may ask for prep time in between any two elements of the round and may divide their prep time in any increments.
Calling for and sharing evidence
Any evidence read/cited in the round must be made available to the opponent upon request. Requests for evidence, and the time spent finding the evidence, is untimed in the round and MAY NOT be used for prep time for any debater. Teams ought to be able to find and electronically share their evidence very, very rapidly. If the time spent finding a piece of evidence is excessive, the judge may begin running prep time - however, the lack of prep time CANNOT be a reason to deny a team the chance to see their opponent’s evidence. If a team simply cannot produce their evidence, or is out of prep time to find it, it should be tossed out of the round and not factored into your decision. Time spent reading the opponent’s evidence must be timed in some way, either as prep time or while another speech/crossfire is underway.